TM-2221 AVEVA Marine (12 Series) Structural Modelling (Basic) Rev 4.0

AVEVA Marine
(12 Series)
TR A I N I N G G U I D E
Structural Modelling
(Basic)
TM-2221
www.aveva.com
AVEVA Marine (12 Series)
Structural Modelling (Basic) TM-2221
www.aveva.com
2
Revision Log
Date Revision Description of Revision Author Reviewed Approved
22/12/2008 0.1 Issued for Review SM
04/02/2009 0.2 Reviewed SM AH
06/02/2009 1.0 Approved for Training 12.0.SP3 SM AH RP
22/06/2009 1.1 Issued for Review SM
28/07/2009 1.2 Reviewed SM W.R
28/07/2009 2.0 Approved for Training 12.0.SP4 SM W.R SH
16/10/2009 2.1 Issued for Review 12.0.SP5 SM
16/10/2009 2.2 Reviewed SM SM
17/10/2009 3.0 Approved for Training 12.0.SP5 SM SM SH
15/06/2010 3.1 Issued for Review 12.0.SP6 SM
15/06/2010 3.2 Reviewed SM SM
13/07/2010 4.0 Approved for Training 12.0.SP6 SM SM SH
Updates
All headings containing updated or new material will be highlighted.
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Contents
1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 9
1.1 Aim..................................................................................................................................................... 9
1.2 Objectives ......................................................................................................................................... 9
1.3 Prerequisites .................................................................................................................................... 9
1.4 Course Structure .............................................................................................................................. 9
1.5 Using this guide ............................................................................................................................... 9
2 Setting Up the Design Database Hierarchy for Structural Modelling ............................................... 11
2.1 How AVEVA Marine Stores Structural Modelling Data .............................................................. 11
2.2 Entering a Design Session ............................................................................................................ 12
2.3 Considerations When Creating the Hierarchy for Structural Models ....................................... 12
2.4 Creating Structural Administrative Elements ............................................................................. 13
2.5 Starting the Structural Modelling Applications .......................................................................... 14
Exercise 1 – Creating the Design Hierarchy ............................................................................................... 15
3 Beams & Columns ................................................................................................................................. 17
3.1 How AVEVA Marine Represents Structural Profiles .................................................................. 17
3.2 Initial Settings................................................................................................................................. 19
3.2.1 Section Specification ................................................................................................................ 19
3.2.2 Storage Areas .......................................................................................................................... 21
3.2.3 Automating Profile and Primary Node Allocations ................................................................... 21
3.2.4 Pline Rules ............................................................................................................................... 22
3.3 Creating Sections........................................................................................................................... 23
3.3.1 The Section form ...................................................................................................................... 23
3.4 Section Connectivity...................................................................................................................... 26
3.4.1 Checking Connectivity.............................................................................................................. 29
3.5 Creating a Pipe Rack - A Worked Example ................................................................................. 30
3.5.1 Initial Settings ........................................................................................................................... 31
3.5.2 Creating Sections ..................................................................................................................... 32
Exercise 2 – Creating a Pressure Vessel Skid Frame ................................................................................ 37
4 Modifying Structural Sections .............................................................................................................. 39
4.1 Positioning ...................................................................................................................................... 39
4.1.1 Explicitly (AT) ........................................................................................................................... 39
4.1.2 Relatively (BY).......................................................................................................................... 40
4.1.3 Extend Through ........................................................................................................................ 41
4.1.4 Extend By ................................................................................................................................. 42
4.1.5 Drag Explicitly........................................................................................................................... 43
4.1.6 Align Secondary Nodes ............................................................................................................ 44
4.1.7 Joint Freedom .......................................................................................................................... 44
4.2 Orientation ...................................................................................................................................... 45
4.2.1 Axes ......................................................................................................................................... 45
4.2.2 Rotate ....................................................................................................................................... 46
4.2.3 β Angle (Beta Angle) ................................................................................................................ 46
4.2.4 Flip ............................................................................................................................................ 47
4.3 Copying ........................................................................................................................................... 47
4.3.1 Copying with Multiple Attached ................................................................................................ 47
4.4 Modifying the Pipe Rack - A Worked Example ........................................................................... 49
4.4.1 Copy Offset .............................................................................................................................. 49
4.4.2 Position Relative....................................................................................................................... 50
4.4.3 Using a List............................................................................................................................... 51
4.4.4 Extend Through ........................................................................................................................ 52
4.4.5 Create Additional Sections ....................................................................................................... 53
Exercise 3 – Modifying the Pressure Vessel Skid Frame .......................................................................... 58
5 Beam & Column Utilities ....................................................................................................................... 59
5.1 Bracing Configurations ................................................................................................................. 59
5.1.1 Available Bracing Configurations ............................................................................................. 61
5.2 User Defined Pline Rules .............................................................................................................. 62
5.3 Bracing Gaps .................................................................................................................................. 63
5.3.1 Available Gapping Configurations ............................................................................................
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5.4 Pline Rules and Bracing Configurations - A Worked Example ................................................. 66
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5.4.1 Create a Pline Rule .................................................................................................................. 66

5.4.2 Create K Bracing ...................................................................................................................... 67
5.4.3 Create Cross Bracing ............................................................................................................... 69
5.4.4 Copying Bracing Members ....................................................................................................... 70
5.4.5 Create Knee Bracing ................................................................................................................ 72
5.4.6 Lower Bracing Gaps on RHS ‘K’ bracing ................................................................................. 74
5.4.7 Bracing Gaps on Knee Bracing ................................................................................................ 78
5.4.8 Set the Bracing Gap – Top of ‘K’ Bracing ................................................................................ 81
5.4.9 Adjust Bracing Gaps – Unequal Angle Cross Bracing ............................................................. 83
5.4.10 Align Secondary Nodes ............................................................................................................ 86
Exercise 4 – Adding Bracing to the Pressure Vessel Skid Frame ............................................................ 87
5.5 Splitting Structural Elements........................................................................................................ 88
5.5.1 Connections at Split ................................................................................................................. 89
5.6 Splicing Sections ........................................................................................................................... 90
5.7 Merging Sections ........................................................................................................................... 91
5.8 Fillet Sections ................................................................................................................................. 92
5.9 Mitring Sections ............................................................................................................................. 93
Exercise 5 – Splitting, Splicing, Merging, Mitring and Filleting sections. ............................................... 95
6 Section Fittings and Joints ................................................................................................................... 97
6.1 Section Fittings .............................................................................................................................. 97
6.1.1 The Create Fitting form ............................................................................................................ 97
6.1.2 Creating Section Fittings .......................................................................................................... 99
6.2 Joints ............................................................................................................................................. 100
6.2.1 Joint Specification form .......................................................................................................... 100
6.2.2 Modify Joint Specification ....................................................................................................... 102
6.3 Creating Section Fittings and Joints - A Worked Example ..................................................... 103
6.3.1 Section Fittings – Double Stiffeners ....................................................................................... 103
6.3.2 Section Fittings – Single Stiffeners ........................................................................................ 105
6.3.3 Create Welded Lifting Lugs .................................................................................................... 108
6.3.4 Joints ...................................................................................................................................... 111
6.3.5 Bolted Column Connection Joint ............................................................................................ 111
6.3.6 Copy Joint Specification ......................................................................................................... 113
6.3.7 Create Column Base Pads ..................................................................................................... 114
Exercise 6 – Adding Section Fittings and Joints to the Pressure Vessel Skid Frame. ........................ 116
7 Panels & Plates .................................................................................................................................... 119
7.1 How AVEVA Marine Represents Panels & Plates ..................................................................... 119
7.2 Panel Hierarchy and Attributes .................................................................................................. 119
7.2.1 PANE element ........................................................................................................................ 119
7.2.2 PLOO element........................................................................................................................ 120
7.2.3 PAVE element ........................................................................................................................ 120
7.3 Initial Settings............................................................................................................................... 120
7.3.1 Panel Specification ................................................................................................................. 120
7.3.2 Storage Areas ........................................................................................................................ 121
7.4 Creating Panels ............................................................................................................................ 121
7.4.1 The Create Panel form ........................................................................................................... 122
7.4.2 Hints on Creating Panels ....................................................................................................... 124
7.5 Modifying Panels.......................................................................................................................... 124
7.5.1 The Loop Vertex Editor form .................................................................................................. 125
7.5.2 Moving the Panel Origin ......................................................................................................... 128
7.5.3 Modifying Panel Thickness .................................................................................................... 129
7.5.4 Modifying Panel Justification .................................................................................................. 129
7.6 Creating and Modifying Panels - A Worked Example .............................................................. 130
7.6.1 Creating the Panel.................................................................................................................. 130
7.6.2 Modifying the Panel ................................................................................................................ 134
Exercise 7 – Modifying a Panel .................................................................................................................. 136
7.6.3 Using a Vertex Group ............................................................................................................. 137
7.6.4 Contract the Panel Loop ........................................................................................................ 141
7.7 Connecting Panels ....................................................................................................................... 143
7.7.1 Connection Modes ................................................................................................................. 143
7.7.2 The Panel Connection Form .................................................................................................. 144
7.7.3 Panel to Section Connections ................................................................................................ 145
7.7.4 www.aveva.com
Panel to Panel Connections ................................................................................................... 145
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7.8 Connecting Panels – A Worked Example .................................................................................. 146

8 Negative Extrusions ............................................................................................................................ 151
8.1 Negative Extrusion Hierarchy and Attributes ........................................................................... 151
8.1.1 NXTR element ........................................................................................................................ 151
8.1.2 LOOP element........................................................................................................................ 151
8.1.3 VERT element ........................................................................................................................ 151
8.2 Creating Negative Extrusions ..................................................................................................... 152
8.2.1 The Create Negative Extrusion form ...................................................................................... 152
8.2.2 Representation ....................................................................................................................... 152
8.2.3 Settings .................................................................................................................................. 152
8.2.4 Create Methods ...................................................................................................................... 153
8.3 Modifying a Negative Extrusion ................................................................................................. 153
8.4 Creating and Modifying Negative Extrusions - A Worked Example ....................................... 153
Exercise 8 – Creating and Modifying Negative Extrusions ..................................................................... 157
9 Panel Fittings ....................................................................................................................................... 159
9.1 Creating a Panel Fitting ............................................................................................................... 159
9.1.1 The Create Panel Fitting form ................................................................................................ 159
9.2 Modifying Panel Fittings ............................................................................................................. 161
9.3 Creating and Modifying Panel Fittings - A Worked Example .................................................. 161
10 Standard AVEVA Marine Generic Types ....................................................................................... 165
Generic Type: BOX .................................................................................................................................. 165
Generic Type: ANG .................................................................................................................................. 166
Generic Type: BSC .................................................................................................................................. 167
Generic Type: BEAM ............................................................................................................................... 168
Generic Type: TUBE ................................................................................................................................ 169
Generic Type: TEE ................................................................................................................................... 170
Generic Type: DINI................................................................................................................................... 171
Generic Type: DINT ................................................................................................................................. 172
Generic Type: CHAN ............................................................................................................................... 173
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CHAPTER 1
1 Introduction
AVEVA Marine allows designers to utilise an array of applications contained within the program modules.
This training guide provides basic discipline specific training for the Structural Modelling application
contained within the Design module.
1.1 Aim
The aim of this training guide is to provide designers with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to create
and modify structural models.
1.2 Objectives
· Introduce AVEVA Marine concepts specific to the Structural Modelling application.

· Make designers aware of the administration elements required by the application.
· Explain how to create a variety of structural elements.
· Explain how to manipulate and modify structural elements.
· Understand how to apply section fittings, section joints and panel fittings.
1.3 Prerequisites
Trainees must have completed the AVEVA Outfitting Foundations training course.
1.4 Course Structure
Training will consist of oral and visual presentations, demonstrations, worked examples and set exercises.
Each workstation will have a training project, populated with model objects. This will be used by the trainees
to practice their methods, and complete the set exercises.
1.5 Using this guide
Certain text styles are used to indicate special situations throughout this document, here is a summary;
Menu pull downs and button press actions are indicated by bold dark turquoise text.
Information the user has to Key-in will be red and bold.
Annotation for trainees benefit:
i Additional information
System prompts should be bold and italic in inverted commas i.e. 'Choose function'
Example files or inputs will be in the courier new font, colours and styles used as before.
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CHAPTER 2
2 Setting Up the Design Database Hierarchy for Structural Modelling
AVEVA Marine data is stored in a hierarchical structure, similar to the directories and sub-directories used to
access computer files. The Structural Modelling application requires specific administrative elements to be in
place in order to maintain the system hierarchy. These administrative elements are considered in the
sections that follow.
2.1 How AVEVA Marine Stores Structural Modelling Data
As with all AVEVA Marine Design databases that

store discipline design data, the topmost element
is the WORLD which owns the administrative sub-
level elements SITE and ZONE.
For structural modelling, the elements types used

below a ZONE are:
· Structure (STRU)
· Framework (FRMW)
· Subframework (SBFR)
The SBFR level is optional as structural

components may be owned by a FRMW or a
SBFR or a combination of both. The elements that
represent physical structural components are:
· Section (SCTN)
· Panel (PANE)
· Generic Section (GENSEC) – curved
section.
i GENSECs are covered in the Structural Modelling (Advanced) training guide TM-2233.
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2.2 Entering a Design Session
To enter Outfitting, select: AVEVA > Marine 12.0.x > Run Marine from the programs menu. The following
Login form appears. Login with the given details.
Project mar
Username OUTSTL
Password OUTSTL
MDB OUTSTEELAFT
Module Outfitting
Select Design > Structures > Beams & Columns, this will then change to the correct application.
i See Section 2.5 for more details on the Structural applications, and switching between them.
2.3 Considerations When Creating the Hierarchy for Structural Models
The splitting up of the database hierarchy for other disciplines may be more obvious than for the structural
model. For example pipes may be grouped in zones by system, piping class or fluid code, and equipment
may be grouped in zones by equipment type, systems, or physical location.
The structural hierarchy has more administrative elements than other disciplines. This allows the model to
be broken down further. The hierarchy breakdown should be well thought out and have a meaningful
structure.
Some company / project procedures require the structural model to be broken down by project build
methodology, weight control purposes, material purposes, etc. If such procedures are not in use,
consideration should be given to the drawing deliverables that will be produced from the structural model.
Draft, the AVEVA Marine Drawing Production module, uses a similar concept of a Draw List to that used in
Design to define the contents of a ‘View’ on the drawing sheet. The construction of these Draft Draw Lists is
greatly aided by a good hierarchy breakdown and well named significant elements.
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2.4 Creating Structural Administrative Elements
Before modelling can commence, the required hierarchy elements must be created. From the Design
General application only SITE and ZONE elements can be created as these are common to all disciplines.
The standard structural hierarchy elements may be created from the Create pull down menu in the Beams &
Columns or the Panels & Plates application.
i The Walls & Floors and Access, Stairs & Ladders applications create their own hierarchy elements.
To create the structural administrative elements, select Create > Structure…, Create > Framework… or
Create > Sub-Frame… from the main menu to display the relevant form:
Significant elements, e.g. SITE, ZONE, STRU, FRMW and SBFR’s should normally be named to facilitate
navigation around the model and to ease creation of Draw Lists and other model tools.
The Create forms enable the element’s Purpose attribute to be set to a pre-defined list of values by using
the Purpose pull-down.
i These standard Purpose attribute settings are used by the Walls & Floors application. The Purpose
attribute may be set manually via the command line to any value which may be used by the other
applications, for additional information on creation of purposes see TM-2252 Project Administration
(Outfit) training guide.
Clicking the Attributes… button on any of the Create forms displays the Modify Attributes form.
The Modify Attributes form shows the editable

attributes for the element type being created.
Some attributes are common whilst others are
specific to the element.
Clicking an attribute, e.g. Function, displays a

relevant form that enables the attribute value
to be set.
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2.5 Starting the Structural Modelling Applications
The AVEVA Marine Design module contains four Structural applications to assist designers in creating
structural models. These applications are:
· Beams & Columns – creation of structural profile elements

· Panels & Plates – creation of plate type elements
· Walls & Floors – creation of wall, floor and screed elements
· Access, Stairs & Ladders – creation of access ways, stair towers, stair flights, ladders, platforms
and hand railing elements.
i The’ Walls & Floors’ and ‘Access, Stairs & Ladders’ applications are not covered in this Training
Guide.
These applications may be accessed by from the

main menu by selecting: Design > Structures >
Beams & Columns… (or other structural
application) from the main menu.
Once the desired application has
loaded, the Structures toolbar is
displayed
Beams & Columns
Panels & Plates
Walls & Floors (not covered in this
manual)
The other applications may be started by selecting

from the main menu again or by selecting one of
the application buttons on the Structures toolbar.
The current application button is disabled.
i The main menu pull-downs change context depending on which structural application is loaded.
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Exercise 1 – Creating the Design Hierarchy
The aim of this exercise is to create a simple hierarchy for the storage of structural elements created in
worked examples and other exercises of this training guide.
· Enter the Beams & Columns application by selecting Design > Structures > Beams &
Columns… from the main menu.
· Check that you are at World (WORL) level in Design Explorer and select Create > Site… from
the main menu to display the Create Site form:
Enter Process_pipework_supports
in the Name textbox: and press the
Return (Enter) key to confirm the
name.
Click the OK button on the form to

create the SITE element and dismiss
the form. Note that the new element
appears in the Design Explorer as
the current element.
· Repeat this process using the appropriate options from the Create menu to create a Zone
named Stru.zone, a Structure named Piperack and a Framework named ROW_Frame_13.
i The row IDs referred to in the worked examples and exercises, e.g. ROW_Frame_13, reflect the
position in the ship reference grid.
· The Design Explorer should now look like this:
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CHAPTER 3
3 Beams & Columns
The Beams & Columns application facilitates the creation of structural profiles, e.g. steel I-beams, T-
sections, Channels, Angles, Circular Hollow Sections, etc., in the design model. The application enables the
profiles, once created, to be manipulated and modified to create the desired structural configuration. The
application also enables the insertion of Catalogue fitting components, e.g. stiffeners, lifting lugs, etc, onto
profiles and the application of Catalogue based joints to connected profiles.
3.1 How AVEVA Marine Represents Structural Profiles
To ensure design consistency and conformity to national or company standards, the definition of all profile
shapes used in structural modelling are held in a Catalogue database.
Each individual structural profile (column, beam, brace, etc.) is represented in Design by a Section (SCTN)
element. The SCTN has lots of attributes, many of which are set by placing or manipulating the element
whilst others may be set via the Appware or manually. The definition of cross-sectional shape geometry of
the profile is defined in a catalogue database. The shape is usually defined parametrically, such that the
same definition may be used for many different profiles with the same generic shape but differing values e.g.
depth, width, web thickness, flange thickness, etc.
The SCTN has a Specification Reference (Spref) attribute which points to a Specification Component
(SPCO) element in the catalogue database. The specification acts as a selection mechanism and filters the
available profiles to the user depending on choices made. The SPCO points at a Structural Profile (SPRF)
element (also held in the catalogue database) via its Catalogue Reference (Catref) attribute. The Catref in
turn references the geometry definition and other elements.
i The SCTN may directly

reference the SPRF via its
Spref attribute. However, this
must be done manually via the
command line or
programmatically via a user
macro or application.
When a profile is added to the design model, the position, orientation, and other attributes are set for the
item in the Design database. However, the physical properties of the profile are specified by setting a cross-
reference, called a Specification Reference (the Spref attribute of a SCTN), that points to an appropriate
specification component in the Catalogue database. This specification component (SPCO) points, via its
Catref attribute, to the catalogue profile component (SPRF).
The 2D cross-sectional geometry of a particular SCTN (I-beam, T-section, Channels, Angles, etc.) is defined
in the Catalogue and the SCTNs SpecRef attribute is set to that profile. All other aspects of the SCTN
geometry are defined by setting specific design attributes. Most of these attributes are set automatically by
AVEVA Marine as the element is specified or manipulated graphically.
Two of the most important attributes are the Position Start (POSS) and Position End (POSE) which
effectively determine the length and orientation of the element. These positions are determined from
graphical picks, explicit co-ordinates, direction and distance or a combination of these methods. The 2D
cross-section is ‘extruded’ from the POSS to the POSE.
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To provide a method of referring to individual edges and faces of the SCTN, each is identified by a named
line running along the length of the profile. These lines, which are specified within the 2D geometry in the
Catalogue, are called Plines. A section has a number of Plines that have a two, three or four letter
abbreviation set to its PKEY attribute.
As an example, some of the most commonly used Plines for an I-shaped profile might be positioned and
named as shown:
See Appendix A for Plines and Parameters of Standard AVEVA Marine Generic Types.
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3.2 Initial Settings
Before starting to create sections in the model some initial default settings must be made to suit the planned
method of working.
3.2.1 Section Specification
The Default Section Specification, together with its Justification, Member line and Joint line settings (these
terms are explained later), is displayed on the Beams & Columns toolbar.
The Default Section Specification is shown unset.
Clicking the Set Default Profile Specification icon displays

the Section Specification (Default) form. This form is divided into two
main areas, Specification Data and Pline Settings.
3.2.1.1 Specification Data
The default profile is selected by clicking the Specification button and selecting the required standard from
the Catalogue entries displayed.
Following selection of the standard, the required profile is selected from the Generic Type list (which shows
the range of profile types available in the Catalogue).
Having selected the profile type, a list of available serial sizes is displayed in the window below. Use the
cursor to select the desired size from the scrollable list.
AVEVA Marine provides several standard specifications, for example British, American, Japanese, DIN, etc.,
which may be augmented or replaced by specific company standards
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3.2.1.2 Pline Settings
The Pline Settings lists allow the following attributes for the chosen section to be set:
· Justification
· Member line
· Joint line.
Justification - sets the justification of the section, i.e.
Member line - sets the position of the line to be displayed in Draft, e.g. the section centreline.
Joint line - sets the Pline for joint geometry (normally NA).
i The Joint line is not within the scope of this module.
Clicking the Apply button on the Section Specification (Default) form sets the section profile that will be
used. The section specification and Pline settings are displayed on the Beams & Columns toolbar.
i The Pline settings are displayed in the order Justification/Member line/Joint line.
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3.2.2 Storage Areas
The Design database Storage Areas specify which Framework (or Subframe), SCTNs and PNODs (see
Structural Connections) will be stored in when created. The storage areas should be specified prior to
commencement of creating components for that particular area of the model. The current storage areas are
displayed on the Beams & Columns toolbar.
To set the storage areas, identify which Framework (FRMW) or Subframe (SBFR) is to be the storage area.
Make this the CE.
Clicking the button to the left of the appropriate storage area display sets the CE as the storage area.
The settings may also be made by selecting Settings > Storage Areas… from the main menu to display the
Storage Areas form.
Making the FRMW or SBFR that will store the components the CE and clicking on the storage area required
in the form sets it to the CE.
3.2.3 Automating Profile and Primary Node Allocations
By default, each time a new section is created it will automatically be associated with a profile from the
catalogue that is the Default Profile Specification. Also by default, Primary nodes will not be created
automatically at unconnected section ends. These defaults are controlled by the following buttons on the
Beams & Columns toolbar.
i For an explanation of Primary Nodes (PNOD) see Section Connectivity (section 3.4).
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3.2.4 Pline Rules
The final setting to be made before commencing creation of profiles is the Pline Rule. When a section is
created and connected to an existing section, the end points of the new section are usually positioned
automatically by reference to the current Pline Rule. If this rule has not been set-up properly, the geometry
at the point of connection may not be appropriate. Pline Rules determine which Pline of the existing section
will be used to trim the new section to.
With no Pline rule set, which is the default setting, the new section is trimmed to the extremities of the
existing section.
In this example, the new section has terminated at

the extremity of the existing section instead of the
web, i.e. the NARO Pline.
With an appropriate Pline rule set, the new section

will trim to the required Pline (i.e. the NAR Pline) and
give the desired result.
AVEVA Marine provides one predefined Pline rule named Normal. The Normal Pline rule is:
PKEY EQ ‘NA’ OR CCON EQ ‘ANY’
This means that a new section will connect to the NA Pline unless it first encounters a Pline whose
CCONNECTION (abbreviated to CCON) is set to ANY.
Pline rules are also used to determine the availability of Plines for
graphical picks when creating or positioning panels, fittings, etc. The
Pline is available if it meets the criteria set out in the Pline Rule. Pline
rules are set by selecting Settings > Pick Filters > Plines… from the
main menu to display the Pline Filter form.
Available Pline Filters are displayed. Selecting the required rule with the
cursor sets the rule and the form is dismissed.
Defining Pline rules is covered later in this training guide.
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3.3 Creating Sections
Sections are created by selecting Create > Sections >

Straight… from the main menu to display the Section form
and activate Positioning Control toolbar.
3.3.1 The Section form
The Section form is divided into three areas which are explained in the following sections:
3.3.1.1 String Method
On the Section form, the method by which sections will be created can be specified by clicking one of the
three option buttons.
Single – Start and End Points are individually

defined for each section.
Continuous – Start point of subsequent sections is

the end point of previous.
Radial – Start position for subsequent sections is the

same as first.
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3.3.1.2 Create Option
Initially, when the Section form is displayed,

there is only one active button under Create
Option to define the start of the section
explicitly, which is the only practical option at
this stage.
This button is used to define the start of the section explicitly, that is, by entering X, Y and Z co-ordinates. It
should be noted that the start position of the section may also be defined by other options under Create
Option or by using the Positioning Control toolbar if the context is right, for example there is a least one
existing section. These options are explained later.
Clicking the Explicit icon displays the Define section start

form.
The required co-ordinates may be entered and the Start

position will be shown by an aid in the 3D View. Co-ordinates
are as follows:
X = Forward -X = Aft
Y = Port -Y = Starboard
Z = Up -Z = Down
The default wrt World, defines the co-ordinate system by

which the position is specified.
Clicking the OK button on the Define section start form

confirms the entered co-ordinates and changes the Creation
Option display by activating a second button.
The end position may now be defined by using either of

the two buttons. Clicking the Explicit button again will
display the Define section end form which is used in
exactly the same way as the Define section start form.
Clicking the Direction & Distance icon will display a

different Define section end form. A direction, with
respect to the World or other co-ordinate system, is
entered together with the required distance from the
section start position. As the distance is entered and
return pressed, the end position will be shown in the
graphical view and an aid line drawn from the start to the
end position.
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It should again be noted that the end position of the section may also be defined by other options under
Create Option or by the Positioning Control toolbar if the context is right.
The other Creation Option icons are:
.
Perpendicular From - creates a section perpendicular to the section specified for the new section
start
Perpendicular To – creates a section perpendicular to a selected section.
By default, Secondary Nodes are automatically created. This facility may be switched off by un-checking the
Secondary Nodes check box under Creation Option.
i For an explanation of Secondary Nodes see Section Connectivity (Section 3.4).
3.3.1.3 Verification
The Verification section of the Section form contains a Confirm check box
that allows the user to check the position of each new section before it is
added to the database. If the Confirm box is checked the Accept and Reject
buttons are enabled, to accept or reject the section creation in the displayed
location.
The Redefine Start button may be clicked at any time during section
creation to start the definition of the section again.
Once the user is happy with the start and end positions specified, clicking
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3.4 Section Connectivity
A connection between two SCTN

elements is facilitated by a Secondary
Joint (SJOI) element.
The SJOI is owned by a Secondary Node

(SNOD), which is positioned on the
justification line of the Owning section at
the intersection between the Attached and
Owning sections.
Sections are connected automatically when they are

created, providing the Secondary Nodes check box on
the Section form is checked.
When SCTN elements are connected the SJOI element

is created, owned by the SNOD element of the Owning
section.
The SJOI has a Cref (connection reference) attribute that

points to the name of the Attached section.
The Attached section has two attributes, Joistart (Joint

start) and Joiend (Joint end) that point to the name of the
SJOI element by which they are attached to their
respective Owning members, thus creating a ‘circular’
reference.
SCTN elements may also be connected explicitly by using the Connect

menu. Selecting Connect > Connect from the main menu prompts the user
to choose the section to attach to and the section end(s) to be attached.
SNODs and SJOIs will be created at each Owning / Attached intersection.
Where two or more Attached sections connect to the Owning section at the
same point, a single SNOD is created which owns two or more SJOI
elements. Each SJOIs Cref attribute will point to the name of the relevant
Attached section.
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Connections may be updated following position changes to the owning or attached sections by using one of
the following selections from the Connect menu:
· Connect > Trim to Pline - Trims the section to a Pline selected by the system in accordance
with current Pline rule, i.e. the POSL (Position Line) attribute of the SJOI element is modified.
· Connect > Trim to Section - Trims the section according to the current POSL setting of the
PJOI element. This may result in the attached member not being correctly connected, e.g. if the
Beta Angle of the Owning SCTN has changed.
i The Joint Dominant and Joint Subordinate options are detailed later in this training guide.
Secondary Node (SNOD) elements are positioned along the justification line of the owning section at the
POSS or POSE position of the attached member(s). A SNOD element’s primary function is to own an SJOI
element and allow one section to connect part way along another. The picture below shows the SNOD
positioned on the NA justification line of the owning section (vertical column) in line with the attached
member (justification is TOS). SNOD elements are owned by the Owning section.
Secondary Joint (SJOI) elements are used to connect two sections where they intersect at an SNOD and
their primary functions are:
· providing connectivity to the structural model

· trimming attached members
· holding the Specification Reference for a joint.
SJOI elements are owned by an SNOD.
If a section which has been connected to an owning section is deleted, the SNOD created on the owning
section will remain. SNODs which are no longer required can be either deleted in the Design Explorer.
Alternatively, unused SNODs can be removed from the owning sections by making the owning section the
CE and selecting Delete > Tidy nodes. This will delete all unused SNODs on the CE. The CE can also be
at FRMW, ZONE or SITE levels in the Design Explorer, and will remove all unused SNODs below this level.
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Primary Node (PNOD) elements have two main functions:
· as analytical points when using AVEVA Marine data for structural analysis
· to own a Primary Joint for referencing a catalogue joint element on an un-connected section
end.
A PNOD element may be created automatically, see Initial Settings, section 3.2.3, or explicitly at section
ends by selecting Create > PNode at SCTN end from the main menu. Note that to create explicitly, the
Primary Node Creation button in the main toolbar must be set to On.
After selecting Create > PNode at SCTN end, a prompt in the status area asks ‘Identify end of section
primary node is to be created at’. Pick the section end and the PNOD is created.
PNOD elements are owned by FRMW or SBFR elements, and sit at the same level in the hierarchy as
SCTN elements. PNOD elements may own more than one Primary Joint element (PJOI). PJOI elements are
used for referencing a catalogue joint element on an unconnected section end, for example a welded pad for
a column base. PJOI elements are owned by a PNOD.
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3.4.1 Checking Connectivity
The connectivity of sections in the model can be

checked by navigating to a suitable element in the
hierarchy, e.g. a FRMW or SBFR, selecting
Query > End Connections… from the main
menu to display the Highlight Connections form.
The form will show all SCTN elements in the CE

that have Both ends connected, Neither end
connected and One end connected.
Checking the appropriate check box will

graphically highlight the SCTN elements of the CE
in each category in the colour shown on the form.
The default colours can be changed by clicking on
the colour button to display a colour form for that
selection.
Clicking a colour button will set that colour for the

selected category.
For the One end unconnected category the SCTN

will display a tag at the unconnected end as well
as being displayed in the highlight colour.
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3.5 Creating a Pipe Rack - A Worked Example
This worked example demonstrates how to construct some initial frames for a simple pipe rack using
different section sizes. The text and accompanying drawings provide step-by-step guidance to create the
Pipe Rack.
The General Arrangement of the Pipe Rack is shown on the following drawings:
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3.5.1 Initial Settings
Ensure the Beams & Columns application is current or

select Design > Structures > Beams & Columns
from the main menu to enter the application
Make initial settings for the storage areas. Ensure that FRMW Row_Frame_13 is the CE and click the Set
Section Storage Area and Set Node Storage Area buttons on the Beams & Columns toolbar.
For the Default Profile Specification, click the Set Default Profile Specification button on the Beams &
Columns toolbar, set the specification to British Standard and the Generic Type to Universal Columns.
Select 152x152x23kg/m from the displayed list, set the Justification to NA, leaving the Member line and
Joint line at NA. Click on the Apply button and then the Dismiss button on the form.
The Beams & Columns toolbar should now look like this:
Set the Pline rule to Normal by selecting Settings > Pick Filters > Plines… from the main menu and
selecting Normal from the displayed Pline Filter form.
Select Utilities > Ship Reference Grids… from the main menu to display the Ship Reference Grids form.
Fill the form in as shown, displaying the Frame Gridlines, and from frame 11 and Lg (vert) from 42. This
will display the Ship Reference Grid in the area the piperack will be created.
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3.5.2 Creating Sections
Create the first section by selecting Create > Sections > Straight… from
the main menu to display the Section form. Make sure that the String
Method is set to Single and that the Create Secondary Nodes check box
is checked.
Click the Explicit button to display the Define section start form. Enter the
co-ordinates X 9850, Y 860, and Z 18975.
Click the OK button.
Click the Direction and Distance button on the

Section form to display the Define section end
form.
Enter the Direction as Z and a Distance of 2200. Click the OK button. The vertical section is created.
Note that the direction shown is with respect to the world. Any direction entered will automatically be
followed by WRT /* in the form.
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With the Section form still displayed click the Explicit button
again, noting on the Define section start form that the displayed
co-ordinates are those defining the end position of the previously
created SCTN.
Enter the section start co-ordinates as:
X 9850
Y 3440
Z 18975
After clicking the OK button on the Define section start form, click the Direction and Distance button to
display the Define section end form and enter the Direction as Z and a Distance of 2200. Click the OK
button. The second column is created.
The next task is to create two horizontal beams for the pipe rack frame using the cursor to select the start
and end positions of the sections rather than enter explicit co-ordinates.
Change the Default Section Specification to Universal Beams

127x76x13kg/m, the Justification line to TOS.
The sections will be created utilising the Positioning Control

toolbar. For the top beam, set the Pick Type to Element and
Pick Method to Snap.
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Click the first column created near to its upper

end to define the Start position of the new
section, noting that the Start label is displayed
adjacent to the section.
Click the upper end of the second column

created to define the End position of the new
section. A new UB 127x76x13kg/m section is
created spanning between the two columns.
Now the beam 900mm above the base of the columns needs to be created.
Set the Positioning Control toolbar Pick Method to Distance and enter a distance of 900.
Click near the lower end of the first column, then

near the lower end of the second column, to
create a new horizontal beam. Note that the
beams have been trimmed to the TOS or BOS
Pline of the columns.
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Toggle wire frame display mode on by pressing F8 on

the keyboard and zoom in to one of the connections and
note the SNOD that has been created.
Next the 400mm long stub on the first column will be created.
Set the Pick Method on the Positioning Control

toolbar back to Snap and click near the top of the
starboard column.
Use the Direction & Distance button with a direction of -

Y and a distance of 400 to create the beam.
Save Work.
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The frame should now look like this:
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Exercise 2 – Creating a Pressure Vessel Skid Frame
The exercises contained in this training guide allow the user to create a pressure vessel skid frame using a
range of standard sections, bracing members, panels, and fittings. The drawings below, coupled with
instructions in each exercise, provide the information necessary to model the structure correctly.
Pressure Vessel Skid Frame
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In the Zone Stru_zone create a new STRU named Vessel_Support and a FRMW named Skid_Baseframe.
Model the two horizontal 203x203x46 UC sections on frames 16 and 19 as shown in the drawing (the
sections running between the sections will be created later in the guide).
Note that Frame 16 has an X coordinate of 12250, and Frame 19 has an X coordinate of 14650.
Create a new FRMW in the VESSEL_SUPPORT STRU named ROW_LP8. Model the two vertical columns
and two horizontal beams in ROW_LP8 of the structure using the drawings above to ascertain co-ordinates,
dimensions and profile sizes.
Remember to reset storage areas and check the Pline rule.
Check all the sections are correctly connected.
The model and should now look like this.
i The columns of Row_LP8 will not be orientated correctly when modelled; however, they will be
modified in the next exercise.
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CHAPTER 4
4 Modifying Structural Sections
4.1 Positioning
Elements that have position attributes (for example SCTNs) can be re-positioned in a variety of ways. The
two main methods are position Explicitly and position Relatively.
4.1.1 Explicitly (AT)
Positioning explicitly allows the user to position elements at specific co-ordinates with respect to the
WORLD or other design elements. Selecting Position > Explicitly (AT)… from the main menu will display
the Positioning Control toolbar and the Explicit Position form. By default the Start position of the current
element is displayed showing X, Y and Z co-ordinates with respect to the world.
The Datum options list allows the user to specify the point on
the element to which the position co-ordinates will apply. The
user may specify Start, End, Centre or Designate Position.
Depending on the option specified applying modified co-
ordinates will have the following effect on the element:
Start - Relocates the start position of the element to the

specified co-ordinates, leaving its end position unchanged.
End – Relocates the end position of the element to the specified

co-ordinates, leaving its start position unchanged.
Centre – Relocates the entire element, locating its centre at

specified co-ordinates and modifying the start and end positions.
Designate Position – used in conjunction with the Positioning Control toolbar, the user can specify a point on
the element for re-positioning. The entire element is relocated, or re-orientated, with the Designated Position
at the specified co-ordinates and the start and end positions modified.
On opening the Explicit Position form a ‘bounding box’ is

displayed around the element together with an axes aid,
showing the cardinal directions, and a label showing the Start
position.
Changing the Datum re-displays the axes aid and label to the
specified position.
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To define a position explicitly, enter the required co-ordinates in the appropriate direction textbox. If
necessary, use the wrt textbox to identify the element whose co-ordinate system is to be used for the
position data. The bounding box will adjust to show the new position and clicking the Apply button on the
form will re-position the element.
To define a position by reference to existing design items, use the Positioning Control toolbar and the cursor
to identify the required positions by picking them in the graphical view. If required, use the Lock check boxes
to fix the current co-ordinate along any axis.
To position another section, use the Select menu options on the form to change the focus of the form. Use
the CE option if the required item is selected in the design explorer, or use the Pick option and then select
the required item with the cursor when prompted. The form will display the current position and the user can
then change any part of this by entering new values. Note – selecting Owner and Pick Owner options at
Section level will display an error message as the Section owner (either a FRMW or SBFR) does not have
position attributes.
4.1.2 Relatively (BY)
Positioning relatively allows the user to position elements

by a specified distance, along one or more axes, from its
current position. The directions can be with respect to the
world or other design elements. Selecting Position >
Relatively (BY) from the main menu displays the
Positioning Control toolbar and the Position By form.
The form allows the user to specify a distance along a

single axis or varying distances along any combination of
the three axes. By default the axes directions are with
respect to the world although any valid design element
may be used. An axes aid is displayed at the start position
of the current element.
Entering distances against any of the axes will display a

New Position label at the entered distance(s) from the
current position, thus enabling the user to see if the new
location for the element is correct.
Clicking the Apply button on the form moves the entire

element to its new location.
The Positioning Control toolbar and the cursor can also be

used to define distances graphically. Having picked two
points the distances will be entered against the relevant
axes on the form. If required, use the Lock check boxes to
fix the current co-ordinate along any axis.
An alternative method of re-positioning the start or end of a SCTN element is to use Extend Through or
Extend By functions.
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4.1.3 Extend Through
Extend Through allows the user to specify a plane, position and orientation to extend either end of the
section to. The section will only extend along its Z axis, i.e. its extrusion direction, as the plane is infinite in
its planar dimensions. In AVEVA Marine a plane’s direction is defined by the direction of a vector normal (i.e.
perpendicular in all directions) to the plane. The position of the plane is defined by the start position of that
vector. Selecting Position > Extend > Through… displays the Extend Section – Relative form.
The End of Section list allows the user to specify which end
of the section will be extended (or trimmed) to the plane.
Four choices are available to the user.
Nearest end – This is the default setting. The end of the

section nearest to the plane will be repositioned.
Start – The start position of the section will be moved.
End – The end position of the section will be moved.
Pick – On clicking Apply the user will be prompted to pick

which end of the beam is to be re-positioned.
When the Extend Section - Relative form is displayed,

a label is placed at each end of the section to identify
which end is the Start and which is the End.
The user can define the plane position explicitly by

entering co-ordinates in the Plane Direction East/West,
North/South and Up/Down textboxes, or by using the
Cursor and Intersection options from the forms menu
and graphically selecting the position.
The Plane Direction is set by default to Z, however any

direction can be entered to orientate the plane.
In the picture above the plane has been initially positioned using the Cursor > Element option and then
moved be entering a new Y co-ordinate. The Plane Direction has been set to -Y, note the plane aid and
direction vector are displayed to help the user visualise the position and direction of the plane.
Clicking the Apply button extends the end of the current element to the plane.
The position of any Secondary Nodes owned by the section is measured from its start position. If the user
requires the Secondary Nodes to stay in their original position when the start position of the section is
moved, then the Maintain Sections’ Node Positions check box needs to be selected. Otherwise, the
Secondary Nodes will move with the start position, i.e. their Z distance attribute will be maintained.
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Checking the Cut end(s) to plane check box on the form will orientate the end of the section to the plane
direction after it has been extended or trimmed. On the example below, the Plane Direction has been set to
–Y 30 -X. The section end is cut on this plane.
4.1.4 Extend By
Extend By allows the user to lengthen or shorten the section by moving its Start or End position through a
specified amount. Selecting Position > Extend > By… from the main menu displays the Extend Section -
Explicit form.
When the form is displayed a label is placed at either end

of the section to identify the Start and End locations. The
Extend pull-down allows the user to select which end of
the section will be extended, the choices being Start, End
or Pick.
If the Pick option is selected the user will be prompted to

select the end of the section that will be re-positioned
when the Apply button is pressed.
The user can move the end of a section either by Distance or by a Proportion of the sections current length;
by selecting the appropriate option button and entering the desired amount. Entering a positive value will
lengthen the section and entering a negative value will shorten it.
To maintain the position of any Secondary Node owned by the section, click the Maintain Sections’ Node
Positions checkbox.
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4.1.5 Drag Explicitly
The Drag Explicitly function allows the user to re-position a section and have any attached sections lengths
adjust and the Secondary Nodes realign automatically. It is, therefore, equivalent to using three operations,
that is Position > Explicitly (AT)…, Connect > Trim to Pline > all attached and Position>Align Secondary
Nodes, in one.
Selecting Position > Drag Explicitly… from the main menu

displays the Drag Explicitly form and Positioning Control toolbar.
The Datum options list enables the user to select the element
Origin or an ID Design point as the point for the dragging
operation; however, the Origin co-ordinates with respect to the
World are displayed by default.
Any valid design element may be used to define the axis system
for the direction boxes by entering the appropriate element in the
wrt box.
The Positioning Control toolbar may be used to determine the new

position by graphical pick, as described earlier.
A bounding box and axes aid at the start position are also displayed. Entering new co-ordinates in the axes
boxes will move the bounding box to the new location.
After clicking Apply the section is re-positioned and all attached sections trimmed to the new joint positions.
All connected sections will trim to the new position of the owning section, adjusting their length as
necessary. The behaviour of the attached sections depends on whether the joint is dominant or subordinate,
as described in Joint Freedom later in this session.
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4.1.6 Align Secondary Nodes
When a section that owns Secondary Nodes is repositioned or extended, it is

possible that the secondary nodes may become misaligned. This can be corrected
by selecting Position > Align Secondary Nodes from the main menu.
This function realigns the node(s) with their attached member(s) and may be
executed from SCTN, STRU, ZONE or SITE level.
4.1.7 Joint Freedom
Where two sections are connected via a joint, the joint may be defined as either dominant or subordinate.
This setting, which is determined by the Jfree attribute of the SJOI, controls how the attached section
behaves when the section owning the joint is moved.
If the joint is subordinate, i.e. the attached section is dominant and Jfree is set to false, the attached sections
will extend or trim, maintaining their original orientation, to the Pline that they were trimmed to on creation.
If the joint is dominant, i.e. the attached section is subordinate and Jfree is set to true, the attached sections
will realign to the new joint position.
The column is the owning section with two beam sections attached.
Joint is Subordinate. Column moved, beams extended to original

Plines but maintain original orientation.
Joint is Dominant. Column moved, beams extended and realigned

to new joint position and cut planes are automatically re-aligned.
The standard default is for joints to be subordinate. This default can be changed by selecting Settings >
Tolerances… from the main menu to display the Section Tolerances form.
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Joint freedom can be changed after the joint is created by selecting Connect > Joint Subordinate or
Connect > Joint Dominant from the main menu. The user will be prompted to select the section ends to
apply the chosen setting to.
i If the owning section is moved using Drag Explicitly command, it will be seen that the joining
sections will move to their new positions without need for further commands. However if the
owning section is moved using other methods (such as Position > Relatively) then Connect >
Trim to Pline > All Attached must be performed to see the new position of the joining sections.
4.2 Orientation
Like positioning, orientating elements in AVEVA Marine can be performed in a number of ways. SCTN
elements do not have a direct Orientation attribute, however, a pseudo-attribute for orientation can be
queried, e.g. Q ORI, which returns the normal orientation format information but is derived from the SCTNs
frame of reference, the Start and End positions and the β Angle (Beta Angle) of the SCTN.
Profiles in AVEVA Marine catalogues are defined with

the NA Pline always pointing in a positive Y direction,
i.e. Up, and the extrusion direction as positive Z, in
accordance with the Right Hand Rule:
The Beta Angle default is 0° which places the profile

in the model in the orientation they are defined in the
catalogue.
4.2.1 Axes
Selecting Orientate > Axes… from the main menu will

display the Orientate form.
This form enables the user to change which axis is X, Y

and Z with respect to the World, or other design
element, by using the option lists or entering the
appropriate direction in the textboxes. This form only
works with elements that have a direct Orientation
attribute.
If the user attempts to use this function on an element

that does not have a direct orientation attribute, e.g. a
SCTN, SBFR or FRMW, a warning message is
displayed.
For this reason, this command is not frequently used in

the structural discipline.
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4.2.2 Rotate
Selecting Orientate > Rotate… from the main menu display the
Rotate form.
By default, the Rotation Axis direction is Z and positioned at the

Start position of the element. The Rotation Axis Direction may be
changed by entering another direction or its reference altered by
modifying the ‘wrt’ data.
The centre of rotation, that is, the origin of the Rotation Axis vector,
may be positioned by entering a distance against one or more
directions. The Angle in degrees by which the element is to be
rotated, must be entered in the Angle (º) textbox prior to clicking
the Apply button.
An axis direction aid is displayed, positioned at the centre of

rotation, together with an axes aid showing the rotation angles
at 90 degree intervals.
In this picture the default Rotation Axis of Z is shown, that is

the extrusion direction of the section, and the centre of rotation
is positioned at the default position of Start Position, that is at
the justification Pline TOS.
The centre of rotation can also be set graphically by using the

Cursor and Intersection options from the form menu. The
results of the rotate command may be simply reversed by
giving a negative value to the Angle used and clicking the
Apply button again.
4.2.3 β Angle (Beta Angle)
The β Angle of a SCTN defines the rotation around its Z axis. The effect of changing the β Angle is shown in
the diagram below.
In this diagram, for a typical Unequal Angle, the Justification Line is set to TOAX. Modifying the β Angle
rotates the section around its Z axis defined by the Justification Line.
Selecting Orientate > β Angle from the main menu allows the user to modify the β Angle in positive or
negative increments of 90 degrees from the sub-menu.
The Command Line must be used to set any other values. Entering BANG <value> on the data entry line
and pressing the Return key will set the β Angle to the entered value.
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4.2.4 Flip
Flip enables the user to change the orientation of sections by exchanging the Start and End positions, that
is, the W direction of the section is orientated through 180º. This only really affects asymmetrical sections
such as angles and channels although it may be applied to all section profiles.
After selecting Orientate > Flip from the main menu the user will be prompted to select, using the cursor,
the elements to Flip. Having made the selection, pressing the Esc key will flip the chosen sections.
W direction before Flip W direction after Flip
4.3 Copying
AVEVA Marine provides three general methods to create copies of elements; Copy Offset, Copy Rotate and
Copy Mirror. This functionality is covered in the AVEVA Outfitting Foundations training guide TM-2201.
4.3.1 Copying with Multiple Attached
If a connected section is copied using any of the copy methods, the newly created section will not be
connected. There are often times when a multiple copy of a section needs to be made at regular centres,
e.g. floorplate supports on a walkway. This could be achieved by using a multiple Copy Offset; however,
each end would need to be connected after copying. AVEVA Marine provides a utility that copies a selected
member and produces multiple copies with connection details the same as the original.
Selecting Create > Sections > Multiple Attached… prompts the user to select the section to be copied if a
SCTN element is not already the CE. Upon making an appropriate selection the Section Copy form is
displayed.
The user can change the section to be copied by making

another section the CE and clicking the CE button on the
form
The Number of copies textbox shows the maximum

amount of members that can be fitted to the shortest
owning section at the current spacing, as shown in the
Spacing textbox.
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If the spacing is changed from the default

(1000) to the required distance and then the
Max button clicked,
the maximum number of copies that can be
fitted will be recalculated.
A graphical aid shows the user the direction for

+ve or –ve spacing with aid lines representing
the positions of the new sections to help
visualise the results.
In the picture above, the maximum number of sections (3) has been calculated based on the length of the
shortest owning section. When the arrangement shown is correct, clicking the Apply button copies the
sections and connects them to the owning member(s). Any end preparations (see Structural Detailing) will
also be applied.
However, if a value greater than the

‘Free’ end
maximum is specified in the Number of
copies textbox such that the copied
elements will go beyond the length of the
shortest owning section, the copies will be
made but the ‘free’ ends will not be
connected or end preparations applied.
Clicking the Apply button will create the copied sections as shown below.
Note that the section beyond the limit of the

shortest owning section has been created,
but is not connected to this section (a
SNOD has not been created).
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4.4 Modifying the Pipe Rack - A Worked Example
In this worked example additional frames and horizontal beams required for the Pipe Rack structure will be
created using some of the techniques described in this chapter.
4.4.1 Copy Offset
Make the Pipe Rack ROW_Frame_13 the CE and select Create > Copy > Offset… from the main menu to
display the Copy with Offset form. Note that an Axes aid is displayed to help determine the direction of offset
required.
Select Rel. from the to options list, enter 3 in the Number of copies textbox and enter a 4000 in the U Offset
textbox. Click the Apply button and click the Yes button on the subsequent confirmation message.
Note that the STRU PIPERACK now owns three additional FRMWs.
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Make the FRMW adjacent to Frame 18 the CE, select Modify > Name… from the main menu to display the
Name form, enter ROW_Frame_18 in the Name textbox and click the Apply button.
Leave the form open, make the FRMW adjacent to ROW_Frame_18 the
CE, click the CE button on the Name form, enter ROW_Frame_23 in the
Name box and click the Apply button. Repeat the procedure to name the
forward-most FRMW ROW_Frame_27 (Note this is named Frame_27
although currently it is positioned at frame 28. The FRMW will be moved to
frame 27 in the next step of the example). Dismiss the Name form.
4.4.2 Position Relative
Make Row_Frame_27 the CE and select Position > Relatively (BY)… from the main menu to display the
Position By form. Select -X from the X/-X options list and enter 800 in the textbox and click the Apply button
. The row should now line up with Frame.27 on the ship reference grid.
Make the column at the intersection of Frame 13 and horizontal LP1 the CE. Right click the SCTN in Design
Explorer and select the Rename option from the pop-up menu to display the Name form. Enter FR13_LP1
in the Name textbox and click the Apply button. Rename the other seven column SCTNs with the
appropriate grid references.
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4.4.3 Using a List
The two columns FR18_LP1 and FR23_LP1 need to be extended. This will be carried out using a List.
Click the Create / Modify Lists button on the Default toolbar to display the Lists/Collections form. Select
Add > List… from the form menu to display the Create List form. Enter FR18_LP1+FR23_LP1 in the
Description textbox and click the OK button.
Select Add > Identified from the form menu and graphically select columns FR18_LP1 and FR23_LP1,
pressing the Esc key to end the selection. The two SCTNs are now in the list. Select Control > Close from
the form menu to dismiss the form.
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4.4.4 Extend Through
Select Position > Extend > Through… from the main menu to display the Extend Section – Relative form.
Select List from the options list at the top left of the form and select Nearest End from the End of Section
options list. Ensure that the Maintain Sections’ Node Positions checkbox is checked and the Cut end(s)
to plane checkbox is unchecked.
Select Cursor > Element from the form menu and graphically select a point
near the top of column FR18_LP1 to place a plane aid at the top of the column
and populate the co-ordinates on the form. Modify the Z co-ordinate to 21600.
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Click the Apply button to extend the two columns contained in the list. Dismiss the form.
Save Work.
4.4.5 Create Additional Sections
· Create two new FRMW elements, owned by the PIPERACK STRU, named ROW_LP1 and
ROW_LP4. Make ROW_LP1 the CE and set the storage areas to this FRMW. Set the Default
Profile Specification to Universal Beam 127x76x13kg/m justified TOS and with the Member
line and Joint line set to NA.
· Select Create > Section > Straight… from the main menu to display the Section form. Ensure
the String Method is set to Single. Set the Positioning Control toolbar options to Element and
Distance and enter a distance of 500.
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Select near the bottom of column FR13_LP1 to specify the start of the section and then at the bottom of
column FR18_LP1 to specify the end of the section. The section has been created 500mm from the base of
the columns (T.O.S.), which is19475 AB
Repeat this to create section at 19475 AB (T.O.S.) between column FR23_LP1 and FR27_LP1.
· Now create the section between columns FR18_LP1 and FR23_LP1. Select Create > Section
> Straight… from the main menu to display the Section form. Ensure the String Method is set
to Single. Set the Positioning Control toolbar options to Element and Intersect.
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To select the start point, first pick the column FR18_LP1 (labelled A), then the lower transverse beam
connecting to the column (Labelled B). This will define the section start point.
A
B
For the end point, pick the columns FR23_LP1 (Labelled C) and the lower transverse beam connecting to
the column (Labelled D). The section is now created. Dismiss the Section form.
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Now create the 3 sections at 19475 AB on Row LP4. Make ROW_LP4 the CE and set the storage areas to
this FRMW. Select Create > Section > Straight… from the main menu to display the Section form. Ensure
the String Method is set to Continuous. Set the Positioning Control toolbar options to Element and
Distance and enter a distance of 500.
Select near the bottom of column FR13_LP4. to specify the start of the section. Define the section end by
selecting near the bottom of column FR18_LP4, this also defines the start position of the next section in the
string. Select near the bottom of column FR23_LP4 and then FR27_LP4 and dismiss the form. The 3
sections have been created at 19475 above base (T.O.S.)
Now create the upper sections on rows LP1 and LP4 using the methods described above. Ensure the
storage area is set correctly before creating the sections.
Save Work. The Pipe Rack should now look like this:
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Exercise 3 – Modifying the Pressure Vessel Skid Frame
Re-orientate the two columns in ROW_LP8 by 90 degrees. Update the beam connections to these columns
and trim the attached sections.
Create the elements in the row at LP13 by copying ROW_LP8. A new FRMW is created, rename this as
ROW_LP13.
Name all of the columns in accordance with the ship reference grids on which they are positioned, e.g.
F16_LP8, F19_LP8 etc.
Create a new FRMW, named ROW_FR16. Make this new FRMW the storage area.
Create the vertical column in the centre of the transverse bottom section on Frame 16. Ensure this beam is
correctly oriented.
Create the four horizontal FRMW elements on Frame 16 between columns F16_LP8m, the central column
and F16_LP13.
Create a new FRMW called ROW_FR19. Make this the CE.

Create a list of all sections in FRWM ROW_FR16. Use the List option on the Copy Offset form to create the
sections on Frame 19. Ensure in the Copy with Offset form that the to CE field is set as ROW_FR19.
Ensure all copied sections are correctly connected.
Set the Storage Areas as FRWM Skid_Baseframe. Create the five equispaced sections which span the two
existing sections in the Skid_Baseframe FRMW using the Create > Sections > Multiple Attached…
command.
Create the two parallel flange channel vessel support sections on the baseframe.
Check the end connections for the whole STRU.

The Pressure Vessel Skid Frame should now look like this:
Save Work.
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CHAPTER 5
5 Beam & Column Utilities
5.1 Bracing Configurations
AVEVA Marine provides functionality that enables the user to create bracing from pre-defined configurations
which may be adapted to suit most situations. The advantages of using the pre-defined configurations to
create bracing, rather than create sections piecemeal are:
· All sections in the configuration are created simultaneously

· Initial gaps can be set so that geometry is realistic
· Created sections are automatically connected.
Selecting Create > Sections > Bracing configurations… from the main menu displays the Bracing form.
The Storage area and Section Data

parts of the form allows the user to
specify a storage area and profile for
bracing in a similar manner to setting the
default section specification and storage
areas, however, the settings made via
this form override the default settings.
If the bracing configuration selected has

more than one element, all sections will
be modelled using the section specified.
However, any of the elements that make
up the configuration may subsequently
have their specification or other
attributes modified in the usual way.
The Available Bracing Configurations list displays the available configurations. Clicking on a configuration
text in the list displays a picture of the configuration. There is more than one choice for some of the
configuration styles, for example A/K Bracing, which cover the majority of possible scenarios. The
configurations may be used where the members are in different orientations to those shown providing the
configuration is the same.
The Bracing Plane options list enables the user to specify the plane in
which the bracing will be created. The choices are:
· Derived by Section – This is the default and the most

commonly used option. The bracing plane direction is
orthogonal to both the first section picked and the
incoming section nearest to the first pick point.
· Derived by Points – This option is useful for adding

bracing between two sections that do not have a third
section connected directly between them. The bracing
plane is constructed by projecting the second picked
point onto the first picked section.
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· Defined… - This option allows the user to define the bracing plane explicitly and projects the
picked points onto the defined plane. Selecting this option displays the Bracing Plane form and
Positioning Control toolbar.
The plane origin may be entered explicitly or by use of the Positioning Control toolbar. Having made the
appropriate settings on the Bracing form, clicking Apply will display a bracing dimensioning form which will
differ depending on the bracing configuration chosen.
A distance may be entered in A and B to make the initial gap, as shown on the corresponding diagram of the
Bracing form. Having entered the distances, the sections used to define the bracing configuration are picked
in the sequence indicated in the diagram on the Bracing form.
If the Confirm check box is selected, aids representing the bracing plane and bracing elements will be
displayed. Clicking the Accept or Reject button will create or discard the bracing. If Confirm is unchecked,
the bracing is created without further input.
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5.1.1 Available Bracing Configurations
The diagrams below show the currently available bracing configurations. The dimensions marked ‘A’ and ‘B’
correspond to the A and B on bracing dimensioning forms. The ballooned numbers indicate the sequence of
picks. The sections must be picked in the order shown to ensure the bracing is configured correctly.
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5.2 User Defined Pline Rules
AVEVA Marine supplies a single Pline Rule, named Normal, which will satisfy many of the connection
requirements for AVEVA supplied standard section profiles. However, there are many times when a User
Defined Pline Rule may be used for filtering the displayed Plines to restrict or clarify Pline selection or for
ensuring desired connectivity. This is particularly useful when setting bracing gaps to allow the desired Pline
to be easily selected, as described in section 5.3.
For example, Pline rules may be required to select only the

‘Cardinal’ Plines for a tubular or RHS profile. A Pline Rule, other
than Normal, may also be required to ensure correct
connectivity of tubulars that use a standard Gtype TUBE Pline
set.
To create a User Defined Pline Rule, select Settings > Pick

Filters > Plines… from the main menu to display the Pline Filter
form.
Click the Define Rule… button on the form to display the Define
Rules form.
The following steps are required to create a rule for

the ‘Cardinal’ Points of a tubular.
· Enter a Name in the textbox, e.g. Tube

Cardinals.
· Enter the Rule syntax in the textbox,
e.g. PKEY INSET (‘AA’, ‘GG’, ‘MM’,
‘SS’).
· Enter a Description for the rule in the
textbox, e.g. Rule for Cardinal Points
of a Tubular.
· Click the Include button to display the
rule in the Defined list under User
Defined Rules.
i The keyword INSET used in the rule definition is a PML operator function that takes a comma
separated list of text strings (or numeric values) and applies it to the preceding attribute, i.e. the Pkey
attribute of the PLIN element.
Pline rules may be simple or complex and use any valid operator or expression. For example, a simple rule
for selecting only the NA Pline would be PKEY EQ ‘NA’ or a more complex rule for selecting only the radial
Plines on a Gtype TUBE for connectivity would be MATCHWILD(PKEY, ‘NA*’).
Having clicked the OK button on the Define Rules form, the Name of the User Defined Rule is displayed on
the Pline Filter form.
Clicking on the rule Name in the Pline Filter form sets it to be the active Pline Rule and dismisses the form.
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5.3 Bracing Gaps
Having created bracing sections either as individual sections or using the standard configurations, gaps
between the bracing members may be adjusted to suit the design.
Selecting Modify > Bracing Gap… from the

main menu displays the Brace Gaps form.
The Available Gapping list displays a description

of the gap types that may be adjusted. Clicking
on a text option displays a picture of the gap
configuration.
These gap configurations may be used in

different orientations to suit a specific situation,
provided that the basic configuration is the
same.
i The Bracing Plane option is not used in

this release.
A Default Gap may be specified to save entering

a distance each time.
Having selected the appropriate configuration,

clicking Apply displays the Brace Gaps(s) form.
The Gap A textbox displays the default gap.
The appropriate input, that is Plines or section selection, is made in the order shown on the corresponding
diagram of the Brace Gap(s) form.
If the Confirm check box is selected a dimension aid is displayed showing the current gap dimension which
will be repeated in the Gap A textbox on the Brace Gap(s) form.
The gap may be changed to the correct distance before clicking the Accept or Reject button to modify or
discard the gap change. If Confirm is unchecked, the gap will be modified to that shown in the Gap A
textbox.
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This picture shows the apex of ‘A’ Bracing

configuration with a large gap between the
two bracing sections
A bracing gap configuration No.6 has been

selected and the appropriate Plines
selected. The aids show the current gap
and the selected Plines. The gap is also
displayed in the Brace Gap(s) form.
The required gap is entered on the Brace

Gap(s) form and the aids reflect the change.
Clicking the Accept button will modify the

gap.
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5.3.1 Available Gapping Configurations
The diagrams below show the currently available bracing gap configurations. The ballooned numbers
indicate the sequence of picks for sections or Plines.
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5.4 Pline Rules and Bracing Configurations - A Worked Example
This worked example demonstrates how to create a Pline rule and how to utilise bracing configurations to
further modify the Pipe Rack and the modification of bracing gaps. The splitting of diagonal bracing sections
around a horizontal beam is also demonstrated.
5.4.1 Create a Pline Rule
Select Settings > Pick Filters > Plines… from the main menu to display the Pline Filter form and then click
the Define Rule… button to display the Define Rules form.
Enter the following in the appropriate textboxes:
Name: RHS Bracing
Rule: PKEY INSET (‘TOS’, ‘BOS’, ‘LEFT’, ‘RIGH’, ‘NAL’, ‘NAR’)
Description: Rule for RHS Bracing
Click the Include button to create the User Defined Pline Rule and
click the OK button on the Define Rules form. The new rule is
displayed on the Pline Filter form
Another Pline rule will be required for the Unequal Angle cross-bracing. Repeat the above method to create
the following:
Name: Angle Bracing
Rule: PKEY INSET (‘TOAX’, ‘LBOA’, ‘NAL’, ‘NAR’, ‘BOS’, ‘TOS’)
Description: Rule for Angle Bar Bracing
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5.4.2 Create K Bracing
Create a Subframe below FRMW ROW_LP1 of the Piperack named ROW_LP1_BRACING and make it the
CE.
Select Settings > Pick Filters > Plines Click the entry RHS Bracing
to set it as the current Pline rule from the Pline Filter form.
Select Create > Sections > Bracing Configurations from the main menu to display the Bracing form. Enter
CE in the Storage area textbox and hit the Return key. The Storage area is now set to
/ROW_LP1_BRACING.
Click the Profile button in the Section Data area of the form to display
the Section Specification form. Select British Standard from the
Specification options list and Rect Hollow Sections from the Generic
Type options list. Select a 60.0x40.0x4.0 profile, leave the three Pline
Settings as NA. Click the Apply button and Dismiss the Section
Specification form.
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Leave the Bracing Plane at the default of Derived by Section and select option 2. A/K Bracing(1), 4 picks
from the Available Bracing Configurations list and click the Apply button to display the A/K Bracing(1),
4picks form.
Click the / \ Bracing (K) radio button and enter 200 in the Gap A text box
and 200 in the Gap B textbox. Click the Confirm checkbox to set
confirmation on.
Create the K bracing on Row LP1 between Rows Frames_13 and 18 by graphically picking the columns and
beams in the order 1 – 4 shown below. The position of the bracing is shown in wireframe. If the bracing
looks to be in the correct configuration, click the Accept button to create the bracing. Dismiss the form.
The two SCTN elements created are stored in SBFR ROW_LP1_BRACING.
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Create the K bracing on Row LP1 between Frames_23 and 27

using the same gap values.
Save Work.
5.4.3 Create Cross Bracing
Now create the 75x50x6 unequal angle cross bracing between Rows Frames 18 and 23.
In the Section Data area of the form, select British Standard from the
Specification options list and Unequal angle from the Generic Type
options list. Select 75x50x6.
In the Pline settings, set Justification to TOAX.
Select option 1. Cross Bracing from the Available Bracing Configurations list. Click the Apply button to
display the Cross Bracing form. Enter 150 in both the Gap A and Gap B textboxes and click the Confirm
checkbox to set confirmation on.
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Create the cross bracing between Rows Frames 18 and 23 by graphically picking column FR18_LP1 just
above the lower beam, then graphically picking column FR23_LP1 just below the upper beam, as shown
below (positions 1 and 2). The position of the bracing is shown in wireframe. If the bracing looks to be in the
correct configuration, click the Accept button to create the bracing. Dismiss the form.
The two SCTN elements created are stored in SBFR ROW_LP1_BRACING.
Save Work.
5.4.4 Copying Bracing Members
Now the bracing members on row LP4 will be created using the List option in Create > Copy.> Offset.
Create a SBFR below FRMW ROW_LP4 of the Piperack named ROW_LP4_BRACING and make it the CE.
Create a list named LP1 K BRACING MEMBERS containing the K bracing members on Row_LP1 as
shown.
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Using Create > Copy > Offset to display the Copy with Offset form. Set the Object field to List and select
list LP1 BRACING MEMBERS. Set the to field to SBFR ROW_LP4_BRACING. Set the Number of Copies
field to 1, and enter 2580 in the V Offset filed.
Click Apply, the bracing is created on ROW_LP4. A Confirm form is displayed, click Yes to retain created
copies.
Connect the K bracing on Row_LP4 to the appropriate beams and columns using
the Connect > Connect option from the main menu.
Save Work.
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5.4.5 Create Knee Bracing
Create the knee bracing on Rows Frames 13, 18, 23 and 27 using option 8, Knee Bracing(2).
In the Section Data area of the form, select British Standard from
the Specification options list and Rect. Hollow Sections from the
Generic Type options list. Select 60x40x4.
In the Pline settings, leave Justification set to NA.
The first bracings to be created will be on Frame 13. Set the

Storage Area to Row_Frame_13.
Select Settings > Pick Filters > Plines Click the entry RHS
Bracing to set it as the current Pline rule from the Pline Filter
form.
Select option 8. Knee Bracing(2) from the Available Bracing Configurations list. Click the Apply button to
display the Cross Bracing form. Enter 500 in both the Gap A and Gap B textboxes and click the Confirm
checkbox to set confirmation on.
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Create the knee bracing between column FR13_LP4 and the upper transverse beam by graphically picking
the column and beam as shown (positions 1 and 2). The position of the bracing is shown in wireframe. If the
bracing looks to be in the correct configuration, click the Accept button to create the bracing. Dismiss the
form.
The SCTN element created is stored in FRMW Row_Frame_13.
Repeat this method to create the further seven knee bracings on the piperack. Ensure the correct storage
area is set for each bracing member created (Row_Frame_13, Row_Frame_18 etc.).
Save Work.
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5.4.6 Lower Bracing Gaps on RHS ‘K’ bracing
Once the bracing has been added, the bracing gaps will need to be adjusted
Zoom in to the bottom of column FR13_LP1 and manipulate the view so that the bracing to column
connection can be clearly seen. Select Modify > Bracing Gaps… from the main menu to display the Brace
Gaps form. Select option 2. Distance on picked Pline from a fixed point from the Available Gapping list.
Enter 150 in the Default Gap textbox. Click the Apply button to display
the Brace Gap(s) form. Click the Confirm checkbox to turn confirmation
on.
As shown on the drawing displayed on the Brace Gaps form, point

1 needs to be selected, which in this case is the BOS Pline on the
bracing member. Click and hold down the left mouse button on the
RHS bracing member to display the Plines. Move the pointer to
select this Pline, running along the bottom of the RHS. When the
cursor changes shape, release the mouse button. Note that the
Pline the cursor is currently over is displayed in the Prompt area of
the 3D display.
i With the Pline rule set as RHS bracing, a limited

number of Plines are available for selection, both on the
RHS and the associated beams and columns. This
allows selecting the correct Plines in this process much
simpler.
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Now select point 2, which in this case is the Pline at the centre of the web, on the same side the RHS is
connected. This will be either the NAL or NAR Pline.
Click and hold down the left mouse button on the UC column to display the Plines. Select the Pline as
described.
Now select point 3, which in this case is the TOS Pline

of the lower longitudinal UB as shown.
Click and hold down the left mouse button on the UC
column to display the Plines. Select the Pline as
described, which is top centre of the UB.
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The current gap is displayed in the Brace Gap(s) form and also graphically. Click the Default button, this will
update the form to the default gap value set in the main Brace Gaps form.
Click the Accept button on the Brace Gap(s) form and the bracing is
moved to a distance of 150mm from the top of the lower longitudinal
beam.
Repeat this process for all 150mm gaps at the lower end of all K-bracing on the piperack.
Save Work.
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5.4.7 Bracing Gaps on Knee Bracing
Now the bracing gaps need to be set for the knee bracing members.
Zoom in to the top of column FR13_LP1 and manipulate the view so that the bracing to column connection
can be clearly seen. Select Modify > Bracing Gaps from the main menu to display the Brace Gaps form.
Select option 2. Distance on picked Pline from a fixed point from the Available Gapping list.
Click the Apply button to display the Brace Gap(s) form. Enter 500 in the
Default Gap textbox. Click the Confirm checkbox to turn confirmation on.
As shown on the drawing displayed on the

Brace Gaps form, point 1 needs to be
selected, which in this case is the TOS Pline
on the bracing member. Click and hold down
the left mouse button on the RHS bracing
member to display the Plines. Move the
pointer to select this Pline, running along the
top of the RHS. When the cursor changes
shape, release the mouse button. Note that
the Pline the cursor is currently over is
displayed in the Prompt area of the 3D
display.
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Now select point 2, which in this case is the

Pline at the centre of the web, on the same side
the RHS is connected. This will be either the
NAL or NAR Pline.
Click and hold down the left mouse button on
the UC column to display the Plines. Select the
Pline as described.
Now select point 3, which in this case is the

BOS Pline of the upper transverse UB on Frame
13 as shown.
Click and hold down the left mouse button on
the UC column to display the Plines. Select the
Pline as described, which is bottom centre of
the UB.
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Click the Accept button on the Brace Gap(s) form and the bracing
is moved to a distance of 500mm from the bottom of the upper
transverse beam.
The gap between the column and the top of the bracing member
also needs to be set at 500mm. This is set using the same method
as described.
Repeat this process to set all knee bracing gaps to 500mm on the
piperack.
Save Work.
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5.4.8 Set the Bracing Gap – Top of ‘K’ Bracing
Now the gaps at the top of the two members making up the K bracing need to be adjusted.
Zoom in to the top of one of the K bracing configurations and manipulate the view so that the bracing to
beam connection can be clearly seen.
Select Modify > Bracing Gaps from the main menu to display the Brace Gaps form. Select option 6.
Distance on picked Pline about mid-point of intersection from the Available Gapping list.
Click the Apply button to display the Brace Gap(s) form. Enter 150 in the
Default Gap textbox. Click the Confirm checkbox to turn confirmation on.
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As shown on the drawing displayed on the Brace Gaps form, point 1 needs to be selected, which in this
case is the BOS Pline on the bracing member. Click and hold down the left mouse button on the RHS
bracing member to display the Plines. Move the pointer to select this Pline, running along the top of the
RHS. When the cursor changes shape, release the mouse button. Note that the Pline the cursor is currently
over is displayed in the Prompt area of the 3D display.
Now select point 2, which in this case is

the BOS Pline of the beam the bracing
members are connected to.
Click and hold down the left mouse button
on the UC column to display the Plines.
Select the Pline as described.
Now select point 3, which in this case is

the BOS Pline of the bracing member
as shown.
Click and hold down the left mouse
button on the RHS to display the Plines.
Select the Pline as described, which is
bottom centre of the RHS.
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Click the Accept button on the Brace Gap(s) form. The gap between the two bracing members is moved to
150mm.
Repeat this process to set all top K bracing gaps to 150mm on the piperack.
Save Work.
5.4.9 Adjust Bracing Gaps – Unequal Angle Cross Bracing
In this section the bracing gaps will be set for the UA cross-bracing members.
Before starting, set the Pline rule to Angle Bracing. This will make available the relevant Plined required to
set the bracing gaps.
Zoom in to the top of column FR18_LP1 and manipulate the view so that
the bracing to column connection can be clearly seen. Select Modify >
Bracing Gaps from the main menu to display the Brace Gaps form.
Select option 2. Distance on picked Pline from a fixed point from the
Available Gapping list. Enter 100 in the Default Gap textbox.
Click the Apply button to display the Brace Gap(s) form. Click the Confirm
checkbox to turn confirmation on.
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As shown on the drawing displayed on the Brace Gaps

form, point 1 needs to be selected, which in this case is
the TOAX Pline on the angle bracing member. Click and
hold down the left mouse button on the bracing member
to display the Plines. Move the pointer to select this
Pline. When the cursor changes shape, release the
mouse button. Note that the Pline the cursor is currently
over is displayed in the Prompt area of the 3D display.
Now select point 2, which in this case is the Pline at the

centre of the web, on the same side the UA is
connected. This will be either the NAL or NAR Pline.
described.
Now select point 3, which in this case is the BOS Pline

of the upper longitudinal UB as shown.
described, which is bottom centre of the UB.
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Click the Accept button on the Brace Gap(s) form and the bracing
is moved to a distance of 100mm from the bottom of the upper
transverse beam.
Now set the gap at the opposite upper side of the cross bracing to 100mm in the same way.
The gaps at the bottom of the cross bracing can be

set using the same method. Set the gap to 200mm
from the top of the beam to the top of the UA as
shown.
Save Work.
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5.4.10 Align Secondary Nodes
When bracing gaps have been adjusted, the secondary nodes created
when the sections were first created do not move with the section start and
end positions. These must be re-aligned.
Secondary Node
Navigate to STRU Piperack and make it the CE. From the main menu
select Position > Align Secondary Nodes. All secondary nodes belonging to this STRU are now realigned
with the attached members.
The piperack bracing should now look like this.
Save Work.
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Exercise 4 – Adding Bracing to the Pressure Vessel Skid Frame
Create the RHS knee bracing on ROW_FR16 as described below, and as detailed on the drawing.
Create a Subframe (SBFR) level below the FRMW levels Row_FR16 named Row_FR16_Bracing. Justify
the bracing RHS at NA.
Adjust the bracing gaps in accordance with the drawings. This will require the Pline rule to be set as RHS
Bracing which was created earlier.
Copy the Row_F16_Bracing bracing SBFR to create a new Row_F19_Bracing bracing SBFR and connect
all the members.
Realign all secondary nodes.
The Equipment Support Structure bracing should now look like this:
Save Work.
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5.5 Splitting Structural Elements
It is often easier to model an overall structure and then split it into smaller components for fabrication or
assembly purposes. The split utility allows Sections, Generic Sections, and Panels to be split from the
Beams & Columns or Panels & Plates applications. Selecting Modify > Sections > Split from the main
menu to display the Split Steel form.
The user must first select the elements that will be split. The Add to list
options list provides four element selection methods:
· CE – this option adds the Current Element to the list
· Current list – this option adds the current active list (if one
exists)
· Graphical pick – this option allows the user to select

elements from the graphical display
· Graphical window selection – this option allows the user to

select a range of items by dragging a selection box over
them in the graphical display.
i If using the graphical window selection the selection box

must be specified before the option is selected.
Once the required elements have been added to the Elements to split
list, the user must define where the elements will be split. This is
achieved using the Define split-on options list that provides three
options:
· Pick Section(s) to split on – this option enables the user to

graphically select one or more sections to be split on from
the 3D View.
i The element selected to split on does not have to touch the

elements that will be split. However its Neutral Axis must
intersect the elements to be split in at least one plane.
· Define Graphical Aid Line(s) to split on – this option

enables the user to create one or more aid lines to split on
by selecting points in the graphical display.
· Define Graphical Plane(s) to split on – this option enables

the user to create a plane to split the selected elements on.
i The positioning toolbar options can be used to select the

location of aid lines and planes required to define the split
point.
Aid Lines and Planes can be modified or deleted by using the Modify
Graphical aid line/plane and Delete Graphical aid line/planes
buttons. The user is prompted to select the Aid or Plane they wish to
modify or delete.
When all options have been selected or set, clicking the Split button splits the elements.
One part of the split element retains the original db reference number and the remaining part(s) are
allocated new reference numbers.
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5.5.1 Connections at Split
The Connections at split area of the form enables the user to define what will happen to the sections at the
split. This functionality applicable to SCTN elements only.
If the Pick Section(s) to split on option is selected the Connections at

split options section of the Split Steel form becomes active.
The user can define how the ends of the split section(s) will relate to
one another after the split from three options:
None
The section is split at the Justification line of the section it is split on.
However, there is no connectivity created between the sections.
Nodes
SNOD and SJOI elements are created connecting the split sections to
the section(s) they were split on.
Trimmed
SNOD and SJOI elements are created connecting the split sections to
the section(s) they were split on. The split sections are trimmed to the
Pline at the extremity of the section(s) they were split on.
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5.6 Splicing Sections
Splicing allows the user to divide sections into smaller lengths at any point along their length and, optionally,
connect the abutting ends created by the splice.
Selecting Modify > Sections > Splice displays the Splice

Section on Plane form which enables the user set a plane to
create the splice.
The splice may be applied to the CE, the current list or

elements picked from the graphical view by selecting CE, list
or Pick from the options list on the top left of the form. If the
List or Pick option is selected, all of the elements selected
will be spliced at their intersection with the plane.
The size of the plane may be specified by entering a value in

the Plane size textbox.
The plane may be positioned using the Cursor or

Intersection options from the form menu or by entering co-
ordinates in the appropriate textboxes.
If the Confirm before splicing check box is selected the user

will be prompted to confirm the splice. This can be useful if
the splice utility is applied to a list or pick selection.
Where the abutting sections are required to be

connected, ensure that the PNOD creation
button on the toolbar is active.
A PNOD will be created at the splice position

with a Primary Compound Joint (PCOJ) and
two Sub Joints (SUBJ), one having a
connection reference to the existing SCTN and
the other having a connection reference to the
newly created SCTN.
To illustrate, consider the example below

where a splice will be applied to a column that
has two connected beams. A plane is initially
defined using the Cursor > Element option
from the Splice Section on Plane form. The
plane is then adjusted to a set distance above
the TOS of the beams. PNOD creation is
turned on. The column is spliced at the plane
and a PNOD is created.
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5.7 Merging Sections
Structural elements of the same type, i.e. SCTN, PANE or GENSEC, may be merged together to form a
single element. Elements may be merged regardless of their specification, beta angle, or position provided
they are co-linear.
Any number of sections may be merged but the first element selected will be the dominant section, i.e. the
section that all other selected sections will be merged into and whose attributes the merged sections will
inherit. The user must identify the sections to be merged by selecting elements in the graphical display.
Selecting Modify > Sections > Merge from the main menu displays the prompt ‘Pick Panel/Section or End
of first gensec to merge’.
i The merging of panels is described later in this training guide.
On selection of the first (dominant) section the prompt changes to ‘Pick Section to merge or <esc> to
finish’. The remaining sections may then be graphically selected form the 3D View. Pressing the Esc key
ends the selection process.
If one or more of the selected sections are not co-linear, an error

message is displayed and the merge abandoned.
If the Esc key is pressed before at least one section to merge has
been selected an error message is displayed.
If all selected sections are co-linear a merge confirmation message

is displayed and the selected sections merged with the first
(dominant) section. The merged section will have the database
reference of the dominant section.
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5.8 Fillet Sections
Filleting enables two, non-parallel sections to be merged to form a single generic section (GENSEC).
i Generic Sections (GENSECs) are curved profiles and are covered in the Structural Modelling
(Advanced) training guide. TM-2233
Selecting Modify > Section > Fillet from the main

menu displays the prompt ‘Pick end of first
gensec/section to fillet’.
On selecting the end of the first section the prompt

changes to ‘Pick the end of the second section
to fillet’.
If parallel sections are selected an error message is

displayed.
If the selected sections are valid, the user is warned

that filleting the sections will remove all fittings and
asked to confirm if they wish to proceed. This is
because GENSECs cannot own fittings.
i Section fittings are explained later in this

training guide.
Clicking the Yes button on the confirmation
message display an input form for the fillet curve
radius. The default value of 1000 may be accepted
by clicking the OK button or a value may be entered
in textbox before clicking the OK button.
Clicking the No button on the confirmation message

or entering a fillet radius of 0 will abandon the
filleting operation.
Once the fillet radius has been entered, the Fillet

Point and Start and End of the gensec are
displayed on the two sections together with a
further confirmation message.
Clicking the No button abandons the filleting

operation.
Clicking the Yes button on the confirmation

message creates the gensec.
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5.9 Mitring Sections
Mitring enables the cut planes at the start and end of sections to be modified such that they are parallel to
the angle bisector.
Selecting Modify > Sections > Mitre Ends from the

main menu displays the prompt ‘Pick
Section/Gensec/Panel Elements to be mitred’ in
the Status area of the 3D view.
Sections can only be mitred if they are co-planar. If

sections that are non co-planar are selected an error
message is displayed.
If the sections selected are valid, graphical aids will

display the angle bisector and additional information
together with a confirmation message are displayed
Clicking the Yes button mitres the ends of the

selected sections. Clicking the No button abandons
the mitre operation.
The 3D view will now show the mitred section. Note

that the connectivity of the mitred ends has not
changed.
When selecting the sections to mitre, care must be taken over the
positioning of the pick points. Subject to the pick point selected,
AVEVA Marine will return a variety of results. The order of
selection of the picks is not important but the pick positions are.
To illustrate, consider the example of two co-planar members

intersecting as shown.
i The end of the section closest to the pick point is the end
which will remain after Mitre is formed.
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Pick Position Result
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Exercise 5 – Splitting, Splicing, Merging, Mitring and Filleting sections.
Before starting this exercise, data file Exercise_5_DATAL.txt

needs to be added to the Design Explorer under Zone
Stru_zone. This will add a new STRU to the zone, which
contains several FRMW elements as shown, which will be
added to the 3D view.
Use the example structures to practise the Splitting, Splicing, Merging, Mitring and Filleting explained in this
chapter.
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CHAPTER 6
6 Section Fittings and Joints
This chapter describes how the 3D structural model may be detailed by adding section fittings and joints.
This may be for clash checking purposes only or for passing on information to the fabricators.
6.1 Section Fittings
Section fittings are catalogue items defined in Paragon. They are referenced in Design by FITT elements
which are owned by SCTN elements. Each fitting is designed to be associated with one or more appropriate
Plines for the particular section profile it is attached to. Due to catalogue parameterisation, one fitting type
may be applied to all section sizes of a particular profile category it was designed for.
A section fitting is positioned relative the start position of a SCTN element along its extrusion direction, i.e.
its Z direction.
6.1.1 The Create Fitting form
In the Beams & Columns application with a SCTN element as the CE, selecting Create > Fitting > Single
from the main menu displays the Create Fitting form.
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6.1.1.1 Specification Data area
The Specification Data area of the form enables the user to specify the exact fitting required.
The Specification button and options list enables the user to

select the type of fitting required, e.g. web stiffeners, lifting lugs,
fire insulation, etc.
The Section Type option list shows the Generic Type (GTYPE) of the SCTN that will own the fitting, i.e. the
current element.
The Sub-Type options list enables the user to select the sub-type of
fitting e.g. a particular type or shape of stiffener.
The scrollable list displays all available fittings for the Specification, Section Type and Sub-Type selected.
6.1.1.2 Settings area
The Settings area of the form enables the user to select the
position and orientation of the fitting.
The Justification options list enables the user to select the Pline to which the fitting will be ‘attached’.
The Pick Justification button can be used to select the required Pline graphically rather than selecting
from the options list.
The Zdistance textbox enables the user to enter the distance from the section start to the fitting, along the
selected Pline, is entered.
The Position Element button button may be used, in conjunction with the Positioning Control toolbar, to
determine the position of the fitting and, therefore, the Zdistance graphically.
The Beta Angle box is used to specify the rotation of the fitting around the owing sections Z axis.
The Properties button is used to specify any Design

Parameters that may have been used in the catalogue
definition of the fitting.
If Design Parameters have been used the Modify Properties

form is displayed.
If no Design Parameters have been used an error message is

displayed
The Plotfile button is used to display a sketch of the fitting if

one has been supplied in the catalogue data set.
If no Plotfile has been supplied for the fitting an error message

is displayed.
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6.1.2 Creating Section Fittings
When a section fitting is designed in Paragon, it is usually intended for use on one or more specific Plines
which may be shown on the Plotfile. For the fitting to work as intended, the Justification Pline should be
carefully selected.
When a Justification Pline has been selected from the options list or graphically identified, an aid arrow is
displayed at the Pline location on the section, pointing in the Z direction of the Pline. The Z directions of
Plines are shown in Appendix A of this guide. The aid arrow is identified by a text aid showing the Pkey of
the fitting, i.e. the Pline name. The aid arrow is positioned along the Z direction of the section at the distance
specified in the Z Distance textbox. The default Z Distance is 0.
Fittings are usually designed in Paragon to a specific orientation such that the Beta Angle does not need to
be modified from the default of 0. However, some fittings may work at different Beta Angles and entering a
value in the Beta Angle textbox orientates the fitting around the fittings Z axis, i.e. the Z axis of the
Justification Pline; the direction of the aid arrow.
The standard AVEVA catalogue provides simple examples of section fittings that are used for
demonstrations and training. It is important for companies to develop their own catalogues for all section
fitting requirements.
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6.2 Joints
Like section fittings, joints are catalogue items that may be referenced by SJOI or PJOI elements. Joints
may have positive geometry, to represent stiffeners, haunch plates, flange inserts, end plates, etc., or
negative geometry to represent section end cutbacks, rat holes, bolt holes, etc., or a combination of positive
and negative geometry.
The positive and negative geometry definitions are held by the catalogue component and are, generally,
parameterised so that the joint may be applied to any combination of similar shaped owning and attached
sections. The joint is referenced by the Spref attribute of the SJOI or PJOI element.
6.2.1 Joint Specification form
Selecting Modify > Joints > Specification prompts the user to ‘Identify end of section joint is connected
to’. Although the SJOI is owned by an SNOD element, which is a member of the owning section, the user
must select the attached section end. AVEVA Marine determines the attached and owning section generic
types via the attached section attributes and present, via the specification, relevant joints based on these
types.
The Specification Data area of the form enables the user to select the exact joint required.
The Specification button and options list enables the user to select the general type of joint required, e.g.
column connections, tubular connections, end preparations, etc.
The Sub-Type options list enables the user to select the sub-type of joint e.g. a joint with a certain number of
bolt holes or specific stiffener thickness.
The scrollable list displays all available joints for the Specification and Sub-Type selected.
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The Settings area of the form allows the user to orientate the joint around the attached section.
The Justification options list shows the Plines defined in the joint. This is commonly only one Pline, the NA.
This Pline exists as a default alignment for the joint as it is aligned with the NA Pline of the attached section.
The Beta Angle textbox is used to specify the rotation of the joint around the attached sections Z axis.
Normally this is 0 for one end of a section and 180 for the opposite end. Which end is which depends in how
the joint was created in the catalogue and how the section was defined.
The Properties button is used to specify any Design

Parameters that may have been used in the catalogue
definition of the joint.
If Design Parameters have been used the Modify Properties

form is displayed.
If no Design Parameters have been used an error message is

displayed.
The Plotfile button is used to display a sketch of the joint if

one has been supplied in the catalogue data set.
If no Plotfile has been supplied for the fitting an error message

is displayed.
If Design Parameters have been used and a Plotfile has been

specified in the joint data set, a combined sketch and Design
Parameter input form is displayed when using the Properties
button.
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6.2.2 Modify Joint Specification
Having selected the required joint from the list and set any Design Parameter requirements, clicking the
Apply button on the Joint Specification form creates the joint using the parameters of the owning and
attached sections together with any design parameters used.
Joints may be applied to ends of section individually. However, if a number of sections have the same
Owning and Attached generic types and require the same end connections, a previously applied joint may
be copied and applied to these section ends.
Selecting Modify > Joints > Joint Like > Maintain Pline from the main menu prompts the user to ‘Identify
end of section to be copied like’. Selecting an appropriate section end will then prompt the user to
‘Identify end of section to be modified’. Any number of ends may be selected and pressing the Esc key
will end the selection process.
The Spref attribute for each valid SJOI element in the selected section ends will be set to the same value as
the copied section end and the geometry displayed in the graphical view.
It should be noted that the joint geometry is adjusted to suit the section sizes of each joint. In cases where a
joint is copied from one end of a section to the other, the Beta Angle of the new joint(s) may be orientated
incorrectly by 180 degrees. Adjusting the Beta Angle value will rectify this.
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6.3 Creating Section Fittings and Joints - A Worked Example
This worked example demonstrates the creation of some simple section fittings and joints based on the
supplied catalogues.
6.3.1 Section Fittings – Double Stiffeners
In this section, double web stiffeners are created on the upper beams where the top of the K bracing
members connect to the beams.
On the Piperack make the upper horizontal beam on Row_LP1, between columns Fr13_LP1 and FR18_LP1
the CE. Zoom into the centre of the beam where the two RHS bracing members connect.
Select Create > Fitting > Single from the main menu to display the Create Fitting form. Select Stiffeners
from the Specification options list, Double Full Depth from the Sub-Type options list and
8m_Double_Stiffener from the list of available stiffeners. Select NAL from the Justification options list and
click the Position Element button adjacent to the Zdistance textbox.
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Set the Positioning Control toolbar to Pline and Snap. Graphically select a Pline on the upper sloping face
of one of the RHS braces. Note that the arrow aid, labelled NAL, moves to the selected position.
Click the Apply button to create a double stiffener aligned with the edge of the RHS brace. Repeat the
process to place double stiffeners aligning with the other three faces of the two RHS braces.
Repeat the process for the Row_LP1 beam between columns Fr23_LP1 and FR27_LP and the equivalent
beams on Row_LP4.
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6.3.2 Section Fittings – Single Stiffeners
In this section, stiffeners are created at the top of the four corner columns, positioned where the upper
beams connect to the columns.
Make column FR13_LP4 the CE. Zoom into the top of the column
where the beams are connected.
Display the Create Fitting form and select Single Full Depth from the Sub-Type options list and
8mm_Flange_Stiffener from the list of available stiffeners. The Justification should still be set at NAL from
the previous task. Click the Position Element button adjacent to the Zdistance textbox.
Ensure the Positioning Control toolbar is set to Pline and Snap. Graphically select the TOS Pline on the top
of the attached beam as shown. Note that the arrow aid, labelled NAL, moves to the selected position.
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Click the Apply button to create a single stiffener aligned with

the top flange of the beam.
Note that the stiffener opposite the top flange is not flush with the TOS. This is because the stiffener is
centre justified and, therefore, must be moved down by half the stiffener thickness. (4mm). This can be done
by selecting Modify > Fitting > Definition from the main pulldown menu. The user is prompted to ‘Identify
fitting’. Select the stiffener, this displays the Modify Fitting form.
The fitting needs to move down 4mm. Modify the Zdistance textbox to 2196 and click Apply. The top of the
stiffener is now flush with the top of the column.
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The Zdistance value can also be modified to adjust the fitting position by using Modify > Attributes for the
fitting. The Navigate to element icon on the toolbar must be active to allow the fitting to be selected.
Now create the stiffener aligned with the lower flange of

the top beam, using the same method. Note that this
time the stiffener will need to be moved 4mm up, as the
centre of the stiffener is aligned with the BOS Pline of
the beam.
Repeat the procedure to create two single full depth stiffeners on columns FR13_LP1, FR27_LP4 and
FR27_LP1.
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6.3.3 Create Welded Lifting Lugs
In this section, welded lifting lugs will be added to the piperack.
Make the upper beam between columns FR13_LP4 and

FR18_LP4 the CE Zoom into the end of the beam where it
connects to column FR13LP4.
Display the Create Fitting form and select Lifting Lugs from the Specification options list, Welded from the
Sub-Type options list and 10mm_welded_lifting_lug (the only option) from the list. Select TOS from the
Justification options list and enter 300 in the Zdistance textbox.
Click the Apply button to create the lifting lug.
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Now create the lifting lug on the upper beam between columns FR23_LP4 and FR28_LP4. make this beam
the CE.
This time, using the Position Element button, set the Positioning Control toolbar to Pline and Distance and
enter 300 in the distance textbox. This positions the fitting 300mm from the end of the Pline, at the end
nearest the selection point.
Select the TOS Pline at the end of the beam nearest to the column FR27_LP4. The arrow aid is positioned
300mm from the selected end of the beam and the Zdistance textbox updated with the new distance.
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Click the Apply button to create the lifting lug and then click the Dismiss button.
Now create the two further lifting lugs located on the upper beams positioned on LP1, using the same
methods.
The piperack should now look like this, with stiffeners and lifting lugs added..
Save Work
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6.3.4 Joints
In this section, various joint types will be added to the piperack structure.
6.3.5 Bolted Column Connection Joint
In this section, the joints of the upper beam on row LP1 between the columns on frames 18 and 23 will be
changed to bolted column connections.
Select Modify > Joints > Specification… from the main menu to display the prompt ‘Identify end of
section joint is connected to’ in the secondary prompt area. Pick the end of the beam nearest the column
FR18_LP1 to display the Joint Specification form.
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Select Column Connections from the Specification options list, Column Web from the Sub-Type options
list and 4M16_web from the list of available joints.
Click the Properties button to display the Modify Properties form. This form also displays the plotfile which
shows the dimensions set in the text boxes. Enter the following values in the appropriate textboxes:
Dist from TOS 0

Dist from BOS 12
Thickness of Plt 10
Notch Depth 0
Click the OK button on the Modify Properties form and the Apply button on the Joint Specification form to
create the joint. Dismiss the Joint Specification form.
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6.3.6 Copy Joint Specification
The joint specification set for the beam end can be copied to the opposite end joint.
Select Modify > Joints > Joint Like > Maintain Pline from the main menu to display the prompt ’Identify
end of section to be copied like’ in the secondary prompt area. Graphically pick the end of the beam to
which the joint has just been applied to
The prompt ‘Identify end of section to be modified’ in

the secondary prompt area. Graphically pick the other
end of the beam near column FR23_LP1.
Press the Esc key twice to end the selection process and
create the joint.
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6.3.7 Create Column Base Pads
Now create pads on the base of all the columns.
The pads are created as joints, therefore Primary Nodes (Pnods) need to be created at the base of each
column.
Make column FR13_LP1 the CE.
Ensure the Primary Nodes create checkbox is active.
Select Create > PNode at SCTN end, the status area then prompts ‘Identify end of section primary node
is to be created at’. Select near the bottom of the column, and then hit escape. A Primary node (PNOD) is
now created at the bottom of the column.
Repeat this for the remaining seven columns.
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To create the pad on column FR23_LP1, select Modify > Joints > Specification and select the end of the
column nearest to where the PNOD has been created.
In the Specification field select Baseplate Connections, then select ‘10mm_thick_attached_baseplate’

from the list. Select Apply and the pad is created at the bottom of the column.
Create the pads at the base of the remaining seven columns using > Joints > Joint Like > Maintain Pline.
Save Work.
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Exercise 6 – Adding Section Fittings and Joints to the Pressure Vessel Skid Frame.
At the connection of the column F16_LP8 and the lower beam, place an 8mm Single Full Depth stiffener to
align with the centreline of the column. Repeat this for each column to lower beam connection (6 places).
On the Skid Baseframe where the five sections connect to the horizontal sections on frames 16 and 19,
apply end preparations to these joints.
Select Modify > Joints > Specification and select the end of the beam nearest to where the end
preparation is to be created. The Joint Specification form is displayed.
Select End Preparations from the pull-down menu, and select Single_clearance from the form. In the
Properties section, enter a value of 10, click the OK button then click Apply.
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If the end preparation orientation is incorrect (lower flange of the beam cut away instead of the top) then the
Beta Angle will need to changed to 180 in the form.
Once one joint is modified, the other joints on the lower beams can be created using Modify > Joints >
Joint Like > Maintain Pline command. Note the Beta Angle of these joints may need to be changed.
On the lower longitudinal horizontal beams on Rows LP8 and LP13, which connect to the columns, apply a
4M16_flange column connection. In the Properties field, make the plate 8mm thick, TOS distance 20 and
BOS distance 20.
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Create the four 10mm_welded_lifting_lugs on the top of the skid frame as shown on the drawings. Set the
Justification as TOS and position the lugs 400mm from the end of the beams.
The Pressure Vessel Skid Frame should now look like this:
Remember to Save Work.
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CHAPTER 7
7 Panels & Plates
7.1 How AVEVA Marine Represents Panels & Plates
A panel (PANE element) can be used to

represent any sheet material in a structural
model. Using a similar principal to that for
representing a section (which is an extruded
2D catalogue profile), a panel is represented
by extruding a user defined 2D shape through
a specified thickness.
Two types of data define the panel geometry:
1. The panel’s planar area is defined by a

Panel Loop (PLOO) element. A PLOO is
defined by a set of Panel Vertex (PAVE)
elements. Each PAVE has a specific
position in the panel’s 2D geometry
system. A line joining adjacent vertices
defines each panel edge.
2. The panel thickness is defined by the

Height attribute of the PLOO element.
This represents the distance through
which the 2D PLOO is extruded to form
the 3D panel.
7.2 Panel Hierarchy and Attributes
Each element in the panel hierarchy has specific attributes that

combine to define the panel geometry:
7.2.1 PANE element
· The Position attribute of the PANE holds the position of the panel origin with respect to the
WORLD.
· The Orientation attribute of the PANE holds the orientation of the panel with respect to the
cardinal axes. The V direction of a panel is defined as the direction from the first panel vertex to
the second panel vertex.
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7.2.2 PLOO element
· The Height attribute of the PLOO element holds the thickness of the panel.
· The Sjustification attribute of the PLOO element holds the justification, i.e. top, centre or bottom,
of the panel.
7.2.3 PAVE element
· The Position attribute of each PAVE element gives the vertex position with respect to the panel
origin.
7.3 Initial Settings
As with Beams & Columns, before a panel is created some initial default settings must be made to suit the
planned method of working.
7.3.1 Panel Specification
A panel specification can be set so that a range of thicknesses or an explicit panel thickness can be used.
As panels are not catalogue items the Specification Reference (SPREF) does not have a Catalogue
Reference (CATREF) and the selected thickness may be overwritten when creating the panel. The
specification may be left unset and the panel thickness specified during panel creation.
The Default Panel Specification is shown on the Panels & Plates toolbar.
The Default Panel Specification is shown unset.
Clicking the Set Panel Default Specification button

displays the Plate Specification (Default) form.
The default panel specification is selected by clicking the

Specification button.
Following specification selection, the default panel

thickness may be selected from the range of values
displayed.
Selecting unset will not set the specification.
Having selected the thickness clicking the Apply button

sets the specification and default thickness.
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7.3.2 Storage Areas
The Design database storage areas for panels are similar to the Section and Node storage areas for Beams
& Columns. The storage areas specify the Framework or Subframe where Panels and Primary Linear Joints
will be placed when created.
i See Connecting Panels later in this training guide.
The storage area can be set by navigating to an appropriate Framework, or Subframe, and clicking the
button to the left of the appropriate textbox. If storage areas are not set the elements will be created under
the current element.
The storage areas may also be set by selecting

Settings > Storage Areas from the main menu to
display the Storages Areas form, in the same way
as described in Beams & Columns.
7.4 Creating Panels
Panels are created by selecting Create > Panel from the

main menu displays the Create Panel form.
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7.4.1 The Create Panel form
The Create Panel form is divided into three areas which are described in the following sections.
7.4.1.1 Settings
Individual panels may be named or a given a description for additional information processing or model data
extraction by entering the required text in the Name or Description textboxes.
Where a panel specification has been selected the default thickness

will appear in the Thickness textbox. The default thickness may be
overridden by entering a new value; however, the following message
will be displayed.
Clicking the Yes button overrides the thickness value and set the
PANEs Spref attribute to Unset. Clicking the No button disregards the
entered thickness value and leave the PANEs Spref set to the default
value.
If no panel specification has been set, a thickness must be entered in the Thickness textbox. This value is
the distance the panel loop will be extruded through.
A panel may be justified Top, Centre or Bottom. The justification determines which direction the panel loop
will be extruded.
Top The panel loop will be extruded downwards by

the panel thickness.
The panel loop will be extruded downwards by half

Centre the panel thickness and upwards by half the panel
thickness.
The panel loop will be extruded upwards by the panel

Bottom thickness.
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7.4.1.2 Representation
As panels are not catalogue items, where Drawing Levels and Obstruction values are normally set, they may
be set via the Create Panel form.
i The explanation of these settings is can be found in the AVEVA Outfitting Foundations guide TM-
2201.
7.4.1.3 Create Methods
Various methods of defining panel vertex positions or fillet arcs, which determine the vertex positions, are
provided via the buttons in the Create Methods area of the form. The buttons are:
Derive points from graphic picks – allows the user to pick a point graphically using the
Positioning Control toolbar.
Derive points from centres & plines – allows the user to construct a point using the intersection
of two Plines with an existing panel.
Trace boundary of another extrusion/panel – allows the user to create vertices which follow the
shape of an existing panel.
Explicitly defined position – allows the user to specify a position by entering explicit co-ordinates.
Point offset from previous – allows the user to specify a distance and direction which define a
point relative to the position of the preceding vertex, with respect to World co-ordinates.
Define arc fillet – allows the user to construct a fillet arc with a specified radius between two
picked tangent lines.
Derived arc passing through three points – allows the user to construct a fillet arc passing
through three picked points.
Fixed radius arc, passing through 2 points – allows the user to construct a fillet arc with a
specified radius, passing through two picked points, which curves towards a picked direction.
Below the Create Methods buttons a message displays the number

of vertices that have been created for the panel loop.
A panel loop requires a minimum of three vertices to be valid. After

the definition of the first vertex, the message changes to display
whether the panel has been created. The Remove Previous Point
button becomes active, which allows the user to delete previous
vertex definition. In the graphics view an aid will show the location of
the first vertex, i.e. the default panel origin.
The panel will not be displayed in the graphics view until the third
vertex is defined, at which time the message will change to show
that the panel has been created.
As each vertex is defined an aid showing the

position of the last vertex will be displayed in the
graphics view.
Once the third vertex has been defined and the

panel created, an axis aid is displayed at the
default panel origin.
The aid shows the panel’s axis system, the V

direction being defined by the direction from vertex
1 to vertex 2.
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7.4.2 Hints on Creating Panels
· A minimum of three vertices are required to create a panel.

· Panel vertices should always be created in a clockwise direction, as viewed from above. Anti-
clockwise creation will give the wrong justification and direction.
· Vertices should maintain a clockwise numbering sequence, i.e. the loop should not self
intersect.
· If several smaller panels are required, it is often quicker to create a large panel and split it as
required.
· If edge cut-outs are required, it is often quicker to create the main panel and modify it for the
cut-outs.
7.5 Modifying Panels
Having created a panel, the PLOO geometry may be modified by moving, adding and deleting vertices,
edges and arcs. The vertices may also be expanded or contracted by a specified amount.
A group of vertices may be selected to be copied and inserted in a different part of the loop. Tools are
provided to modify the group, e.g. move the origin or mirroring, before the group is inserted.
With the panel to be modified as the CE, selecting Modify >

Extrusion/Panel from the main menu displays the Loop Vertex
Editor form.
Alternatively, the Loop Vertex Editor form can be automatically

displayed after clicking OK on the Create Panel form by
checking the Display modification form checkbox.
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7.5.1 The Loop Vertex Editor form
As with many of the forms used in AVEVA Marine, the Loop Vertex Editor form fulfils several functions. The
form is divided into several areas which are described in the following sections.
7.5.1.1 The Form Menu
The form menu contains the following options:
· Control > CE - When the form is displayed, the CE name is displayed beneath the form menu.
Navigating to another panel and selecting this option makes the new CE the panel being edited
by the form. The new CE name is displayed on the form.
· Control > Close - This option dismisses the form.
· Settings > Confirm - This is a toggle option. When set On the user must click the Create or
Modify button at the bottom of the form to implement each creation or modification, depending
which mode is current. When set Off, each creation or modification is implemented immediately.
· Settings > Confirm on delete – This is a toggle option. When set On, the user must confirm
each deletion in order to complete the command. When set Off, deletions are implemented
immediately.
· Settings > Tag edges - This is a toggle option. When set On, each edge is tagged with the
number of the vertex at its start.
i Edges are tagged automatically, regardless of this setting, if the panel has incorrect geometry for
any reason (e.g. zero thickness).
· Settings > Free rotate - This is a toggle option. When set On this option allows groups of
vertices to be oriented automatically when they are positioned relative, to say one edge, and are
then moved to a different edge.
· Utilities > Remove Redundant - This option deletes redundant vertices in situations where two
or more vertices have the same position.
7.5.1.2 Mode Selection
The options in the Mode Selection area of the form enable the user to select a single vertex, an edge or a
group of vertices to be modified or create a new vertex.
Select all – allows the user to select all vertices in the loop allowing them to be modified as a group.
Select group to modify – allows the user to select any number of individual vertices so they can be
modified as a group.
Select edge to modify – allows the user to pick an edge to be modified. The adjacent Edge gadget
shows the current edge number (i.e. the number of the vertex at its start).
Select point to modify – allows the user to pick a vertex to be modified. The adjacent Vertex gadget
shows the current vertex number
Create points – allows the user to create a new vertex, which will be allocated the next number in the
sequence after the current vertex.
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7.5.1.3 Vertex/Edge
The Vertex/Edge area of the form contains a Select button and a counter that shows the current vertex or
edge, depending on the current mode. If the Select edge to modify button is clicked, the counter label will
change to Edge and the counter will show the current edge.
The Select Vertex/Edge button allows the user pick a vertex in the 3D View. The
adjacent Vertex/Edge counter shows the current vertex/edge number, which is
also tagged in the 3D View. The user can navigate to a specific vertex/edge by
typing its number in the textbox or by using the up/down arrows to step through
the list.
7.5.1.4 Group Definition
When a group of vertices are modified, the buttons in the Group definition area of the form become active.
These options let the user modify the current group in the following ways.
i These buttons affect only the Group’s behaviour; they do not affect the vertex numbering for the panel
loop. A Group may be the entire loop if the Select all button has been used.
Reverse group definition - reverses the group definition by implicitly renumbering all of the
group vertices in the opposite sense (i.e., clockwise or anticlockwise). The origin moves to the
other side of the ‘gap’. The sense of the current vertex sequence is shown by the aid arrow in
the 3D View.
Move start forwards - moves the ‘open-side’ of the group, and the origin, one position
‘forwards’; that is, in the sense of the vertex numbering.
Move start backwards - moves the ‘open-side’ of the group, and the origin, one position
backwards; that is, in the opposite sense to the vertex numbering.
7.5.1.5 Group Expand/Contract
A Group may be expanded or contracted by the value specified in the textbox adjacent to the buttons.
Expand group - expands the group area by moving each edge outwards, by the distance
specified in the adjacent Expand/Contract textbox, normal to its own direction.
Contract group - contracts the group area by moving each edge inwards, by the distance
specified in the adjacent Expand/Contract textbox, normal to its own direction.
i Expand/Contract applies to all edges in the Group, including those on panel protrusions, etc.,
therefore, excessive expansion or contraction may lead to invalid loop geometry.
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7.5.1.6 Line
If an edge is modified, the buttons in the Line area of the form become active. These options enable the user
to modify the current edge in the following ways.
Extend start of line - moves the Start vertex along the edge direction to align it through a
picked position. Use the Positioning Control options to pick the required position.
Alternatively, if a line is selected, the Start vertex will be moved along the edge direction until it
intersects the picked line. These operations can change the edge length.
Extend end of line - moves the End vertex along the edge direction to align it through a
picked position. Use the Positioning Control options to pick the required position.
Alternatively, if a line is selected, the End vertex will be moved along the edge direction until it
intersects the picked line. These operations can change the edge length.
Make line parallel - moves the free vertex (lowercase tagging) around the reference vertex to
align the edge with a picked line (another edge, a Pline etc.). This operation maintains the
edge length.
7.5.1.7 Rotate
The options in the Rotate area of the form enable the user to rotate groups of vertices in the following ways.
Rotate anti-clockwise - rotates the edge anticlockwise, through the rotation angle specified in
the Angle textbox, about the reference end (uppercase tagging). This operation maintains the
edge length.
Rotate clockwise - rotates the edge clockwise, through the rotation angle specified in the
Angle textbox about the reference end (uppercase tagging). This operation maintains the edge
length.
7.5.1.8 Modify
The options in the Modify area of the form enable the user to carry out the following operations on the
current Group selection.
Insert selected – enables the user to move a vertex group by inserting it at a different position
in the loop sequence. Use the Vertex selector to navigate to the required point in the
sequence; the group will be inserted after the current vertex.
Mirror – enables the user to move the current vertex, edge or group such that the new
positions are derived by reflecting the original positions about a picked line (an edge, Pline,
etc.).
Delete selection – enables the user to delete a group, edge or vertex from the loop definition.
Define/Modify arc – enables the user to manipulate a fillet arc at the current loop vertex.
When this button is selected the Modify Arc form will be displayed and the Loop Vertex
Editor form will become temporarily inactive.
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7.5.1.9 Vertex/Edge/Group Coordinates
The bottom area of the Loop Vertex Editor form displays co-ordinate data about the current vertex, edge or
group, depending on the Selection Mode, together with radius information where applicable.
For a vertex the X(U) and Y(V) co-ordinates, with respect to the panel origin, are displayed. There is no
Z(W) co-ordinate as the panel loop is a 2D object. The Radius textbox allows the user to specify a radius to
be applied to the loop at that vertex. This value is applied to the Fradius attribute of the vertex and may be
positive or negative value.
A value of 0, the default, will produce a

‘sharp’ corner at the vertex.
A positive value will produce a convex

radius at the vertex.
A negative value will produce a concave

radius at the vertex.
For an edge the co-ordinates are given for the start or end of the edge. An aid is displayed in the 3D View
showing which is the start and which is the end. By default the START of the edge, i.e. the vertex with the
lowest number that forms the edge, is shown in uppercase and the end shown in lowercase. This means
that any modifications made to the currently displayed co-ordinates will affect the START only.
The options list in this area of the form becomes active when an edge is selected and enables various
options of how the edge is to behave to be selected.
Selecting the End option displays the END of the edge in uppercase and the start of the edge in lowercase.
Modifications made will apply to the END of the edge only. It should be noted that modifying the length in
either of these cases will move the edge start or end accordingly.
The Aligned option displays both the START and the END of the edge in uppercase. Generally the user will
only be able to modify an orthogonal edge in a direction normal to the edge itself. Care should be taken
when modifying a non-orthogonal edge as unexpected results may occur.
The Modify or Create button at the bottom of the form depend on the mode. In Modify mode clicking the
button will change the current vertex or edge using the values in the X(U), Y(V), Radius or Length textboxes.
In Create mode, i.e. when adding a new vertex, clicking the button will create a new vertex with the values
displayed in the X(U), Y(V) or Radius text-boxes.
7.5.2 Moving the Panel Origin
When creating a panel the Origin is placed at the first vertex by default and the X(U) and Y(V) co-ordinates
of all other vertices in the panel relate to this position.
Selecting Position > Panel Origin from the main menu and selecting a different vertex when prompted
enables the user to use a different vertex in the PLOO as the panel origin.
If the origin is redefined in this way, the coordinates of all vertices owned by the current panel loop are
recalculated relative to the new origin such that their positions in the design model remain unchanged.
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7.5.3 Modifying Panel Thickness
If the panel thickness is set during creation (ie. not in the

Default Panel Specification area of the Panels and Plates
Toolbar) it can be modified at any time.
Make the panel to be modified the CE and select Modify >

Thickness from the main menu to display the Panel
Thickness form.
Entering a value in the textbox and clicking the Apply button

modifies the panel thickness.
If the panel thickness has been set in the Default Panel

Specification area of the Panels and Plates Toolbar it can be
modified only by Modify > Specification
If Modify > Thickness is selected in this case, the message

opposite is displayed.
7.5.4 Modifying Panel Justification
Although the panel justification is set during panel creation it

can be modified at any time.
Make the panel to be modified the CE and select Modify >

Justification… from the main menu. This displays the Set
Justification form.
Selecting Bottom, Centre or Top from the Justification list

and clicking the Apply button modifies the panel justification.
The in/out checkbox enables the user to set the direction relative to the plane used to justify the panel as
shown in the following diagram.
i The significance of outward and inward is covered in Panel Fittings later in this manual.
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7.6 Creating and Modifying Panels - A Worked Example
This worked example uses the STRU Vessel_Support created in previous exercises. It demonstrates the
creation and modification of a panel.
7.6.1 Creating the Panel
Enter the Panels & Plates application by selecting Design > Structures > Panels & Plates from the main
menu. Clear the 3D view and add back the /Vessel_Support structure. Set the limits to the Draw List and
view direction to Iso 2.
Create a SBFR named Skid_Grating owned by FRMW Skid_Baseframe.
Make the SBFR the CE and set the Storage Areas by clicking the appropriate buttons on the Panels &
Plates toolbar. Ensure the Pline rule is set to Normal
Select Create > Panel from the

main menu to display the
Create Panel form and enter 20
in the Thickness textbox and
select Bottom from the
Justification options list. Leave
the Representation settings at
their defaults.
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7.6.1.1 Create the Panel Loop (PLOO)
The first vertex for the Panel will be defined.
Click the Derive points from graphic picks button in the Create
Methods area of the form.
Set the Positioning Control toolbar to Pline and Snap.
Zoom into the bottom of column F16_LP8 and select the corner Pline of the column as shown on the
screenshot below.
A text aid will be displayed at the end of the Pline showing the Origin of the panel.
Note that the message on the form now reads: ‘1 Vertices

defined (no Panel created)’.
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Now create the second panel vertex.
Pan the view to the bottom of column F16_LP13 and again select the corner Pline of the column as shown
on the below screenshot.
Another text aid will be displayed at the end of the Pline showing the Last Vertex of the panel.
Note that the message on the form now reads: ‘2 Vertices defined
(Panel created)’.
Now create the third panel vertex.
Set the view direction to Iso 4 and pan and rotate the view to the bottom of column F19_LP13. and again
select the corner Pline of the column as shown on the below screenshot.
Note that the message on the form now reads: ‘3 Vertices defined (Panel created)’. As 3 vertices now
exist, the panel can be shown in the 3D View.
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Now create the fourth panel vertex.
Pan the view to the botom of column F19_LP8 and again select the corner Pline of the column as shown on
the below screenshot.
Note that the message on the form now reads: ‘4 Vertices defined
(Panel created)’.
Click the OK button on the Panel Creation form to create the panel.
The plate should look like this when the view is set to Iso 3:
Save Work.
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7.6.2 Modifying the Panel
The panel now requires modification. The shape of the panel needs to be changed to create the cut-outs
around the four corner columns and knee bracing members of the vessel support. This is achieved by
introducing new vertices into the loop.
7.6.2.1 Add Vertices to the Panel Loop
Make sure the panel is the CE. Set the model view to Iso 1.Select Modify >
Extrusion/Panel from the main menu to display the Loop Vertex Editor form.
Note that an axis aid, showing the axes with respect to the panel, is placed at
Vertex 1, the panel origin.
First new vertices will be added to the PLOO to shape the panel around the bottom of column F16_LP8 and
its bracing member. Zoom into the bottom of column F16_LP8.
Ensure the Positioning Control toolbar is sets to Pline

and Snap. Make sure the Vertex counter is on 1 and
the co-ordinates are U 0 and V 0. The first new vertex
is to be positioned between vertex 1 and vertex 2 and
will have the same U co-ordinate as vertex 1.
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Click the Create points button and note that the Modify button at the bottom of the form has changed to the
Create button, i.e. the form is now in Create mode.
The next vertex needs to be in the same position on the U axis as vertex 1, aligned with the edge of the
RHS bracing member
Click the U checkbox to lock the co-ordinate.
Pick the TOS Pline on the RHS bracing furthest from the column F16_LP8 as shown. A New vertex label is
displayed at the new vertex position. Note that because the U axis is locked, the new vertex is only
positioned to the Y position of the selected Pline.
Click the Create button on the form to create a new

vertex 2.
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Next create a vertex at the outside edge of the base section with
the same V coordinate as the vertex 2 just created. Unlock the U
checkbox, and select and lock the V checkbox.
With the Positioning Control toolbar still set to Pline and Snap, select the outer top Pline of the base section
as shown, (either LTOS or RTOS Pline). A New
vertex label is displayed at the new vertex position.
Click the Create button on the form to create a new vertex 3
Save Work.
Exercise 7 – Modifying a Panel
Create the extra vertices required to shape the Panel around the further three corner columns and bracing
members. Ensure the vertex counter is set to the vertex immediately before the position of the new vertex
being created.
Save Work.
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7.6.3 Using a Vertex Group
A Vertex Group can be selected, copied and moved to another area of a Panel where similar panel
geometry is required. This saves having to recreate similar geometry on a panel multiple times.
First, a cut-out needs to be created around the central column on

frame 16. as shown.
Make sure the panel is the CE. Set the model view to Iso 3.Select
Modify > Extrusion/Panel from the main menu to display the
Loop Vertex Editor.
With the Panel as the CE, set the vertex counter to 3, check (lock)
the U checkbox, unlock the V checkbox and click the Create
points button.
Using the methods previously covered; create the new vertices 4, 5, 6 and 7.
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7.6.3.1 Using a Vertex Group
The central vertical column on frame 19 requires a similar cut-out to the central vertical column on frame 16.
This may be achieved by creating a group of the vertices that form the cut-out around the column and
moving it to the correct location before inserting it into the loop.
For clarity, remove the two vertical central columns on frames 16

and 19 from the 3D view. In turn, make the column the CE, then
from the right click menu select Remove from 3D View.
With the Panel as the CE, select Modify > Extrusion/Panel from
the main menu to display the Loop Vertex Editor. Pick Select group
to modify from the form.
Graphically pick a fence around four points, in a clockwise

direction around the cut-out at the bottom of the column on
frame 16 and press the Esc key. The group will be defined
by four spheres, one at each of the four vertices that form
the cut-out with a larger sphere at the first vertex on the
group, i.e. the group origin.
i The size of the sphere aids which define the vertex

group can be adjusted using the Aid blob size function in
the Loop Vertex Editor form.
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Now the group must be moved to column on Frame 19. A

prompt is displayed ‘Define group position (Snap0 Snap)’.
Uncheck the U checkbox and check the V checkbox to lock
the vertex group movement in the V axis.
Pick the Pline on the outermost top edge of the horizontal section on frame 19.
The group is now located correctly at the opposite

side of the panel, however, the order of the vertices in
the group must be reversed to fit the clockwise
numbering sequence
.Then the group must be mirrored to form a cut-out

and not an outstand.
Click the Reverse group definition button in the Definition area of the form. Note the group origin has been
placed on the opposite side of the group, the origin is now in the position where the first vertex of the created
cut out will be placed.
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Click the Mirror button in the Modify area of the form to display the ‘Pick line to mirror about’ prompt and
graphically pick the edge of the panel. The group is mirrored to form the correct sequence of vertices for a
cut-out.
Set the vertex counter to 13, i.e. the vertex before the group origin.
Click the Insert selected button to insert the group into the loop.
Save Work.
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7.6.4 Contract the Panel Loop
At the moment the panel touches the edges of the columns and bracing used to create the panel geometry.
The panel needs to be contracted by 20mm to allow for clearance from all columns and bracing members.
Click the Select All button in the Mode Selection area

of the form. Enter 20 in the textbox in the
Expand/Contract area of the form.
Click the Contract group button. Note that the vertex

indicators move to their new positions.
Click the Modify button to contract the whole loop by 20mm.
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Reinstate the two central vertical columns into the 3D view. Note the panel is now 20mm clear of all
structure. The panel should now look like this:
Save Work.
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7.7 Connecting Panels
Specified panel vertices or panel edges may be connected to other panels or section profiles in a variety of
ways.
7.7.1 Connection Modes
There are three principle modes of operation for connecting panels.
7.7.1.1 Edge to
These options connect a single edge to

the selected item to be connected to.
If the vertices describing the edge do

not align with the selected item they are
modified to align.
Other edges adjacent to the selected

edge remain at their previous locations.
7.7.1.2 Edges to
These options connect selected

edges to the selected item to be
connected to.
If the vertices describing the edges do

not align with the selected item they
are modified to align.
Relative geometry between the

selected edges is not maintained.
7.7.1.3 Drag Edge to
These options drag the selected

edges such that the nearest
edge connects to the selected
item but maintains the relative
geometry of the selected edges.
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7.7.2 The Panel Connection Form
Selecting Connect > Connect from the main menu

displays the Panel Connection form.
The form contains the following buttons to facilitate connections.
Vertex to vertex - connects a vertex from a panel to a vertex of another panel.
Edge to surface - connects an edge of a panel to the surface of another panel.
Edges to surface - connects selected edges of a panel to the surface of another panel.
Drag edge to surface - drags selected edge of a panel to surface of another panel.
Edge to edge - connects selected edge of a panel to an edge of another panel.
Edges to edge - connects selected edges of a panel to an edge of another panel.
Drag edge to edge - drags selected edge of a panel to the edge of another panel.
Edge to section - connects selected edge of a panel to selected Pline of a section.
Edges to section - connects selected edges of a panel to selected Pline of a section.
Drag edge to section - drags selected edge of a panel to selected Pline of a section.
Trim all edges - trims all edges of current panel to suit current connections.
The way the panel geometry is modified depends on the selected option and is depicted graphically on the
buttons.
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7.7.3 Panel to Section Connections
Connecting a panel to a section creates a Section Linear Joint (SELJ) element owned by the selected
section. The SELJ owns two Section Vertex (SEVE) elements that have Zdistance attributes to fix their
position along the section. Two PAVE elements of the PLOO have logical connections, via their Mvertex
attributes, to the SEVE elements.
Where the panel edge being connected is shorter than the section, the two PAVE elements describing the
edge have their Mvertex attributes set to the name of the SEVE elements.
Where the panel edge is longer than the section, the SEVE elements are set at the extremities of the
section, and two new PAVE elements are created in the PLOO. The positions of the PAVE elements
correspond to the SEVE elements and have their Mvertex attributes set to the name of the SEVE elements.
7.7.4 Panel to Panel Connections
Connecting a panel to another panel creates a Panel Linear Joint (PALJ) element. The PALJ owns two
PAVE elements whose positions, generally (see below), coincide with the start and end positions of the
connected panel edge.
Two PAVE elements of the Attached panel have logical connections, via their Mvertex attributes, to the
PAVE elements of the Owning panel.
When connecting a panel to the surface of another panel, the PALJ element is owned directly by the PANE
element, even if the storage area for Panel Linear Joints has been set.
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7.8 Connecting Panels – A Worked Example
Create a SBFR named Gussets_ROW_LP13 owned by FRMW ROW_LP13. Set this as the storage area.
Go to the Beams & Columns application and modify the

Specification Reference of the beam to 152x89UB16kg/m.
Return to the Panels & Plates application.
Create a centre justified gusset plate between column F19_LP13 and top connected beam (as shown) using
the following dimensions:
Select Connect > Connect from the main menu to display the Panel Connection form. Click the Edge to
Section button on the form to display the prompt ‘Identify edge of panel to be connected’ in the
secondary prompt area.
Graphically pick near the top edge of the panel.
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The prompt changes to ‘Identify pline on section to be connected to’. Pick the BOS Pline on the beam
and click the Yes button on the displayed confirmation message. Press the Esc key to complete the
connection process.
Now query the attributes of the connected beam and panel.

Make the beam the panel is connected to the CE and note the SELJ element
and the two SEVE elements created by the connection.
Query the attributes of each SEVE element and note the Zdistance and Posline values. Note that the
Lnfarray attribute (Hidden reference array for linked vertices) references the vertex on the panel
corresponding to this SEVE.
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Make the gusset plate the CE and query the attributes of PAVE 1 and PAVE 2, noting that the Mvertex
attributes contain the name of one of the SEVE elements of the SELJ.
Now the panel and section are connected, if the section profile changes the gusset plate can be trimmed
back to the section.
Go to the Beams & Columns application and reset the Specification Reference of the beam to
127x76UB13kg/m.
The panel remains in position, but as the beam is now a smaller section there is a gap between the,
although they are still connected. The line of the SELJ (Section Linear Joint) is visible on the underside of
the beam.
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Go back to the Panels & Plates application and select Connect > Trim from the main menu.
Select the gusset plate when prompted ‘Pick panel to trim’ and press the Esc key to end the selection
process. The panel is reconnected to the section. Note only the two vertices of the panel corresponding to
the SELJ move, all other PANE vertices stay in the same position.
Save Work.
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CHAPTER 8
8 Negative Extrusions
Negative extrusions are negative geometry created in design to represent a hole or a cut-out in the body of
the panel away from the edges.
8.1 Negative Extrusion Hierarchy and Attributes
A negative extrusion (NXTR element) is an extruded 2D polygonal shape that creates a cut-out in the
owning panel. NXTRs are owned by PANE elements and have a similar hierarchy structure to them:
The planar area of the negative extrusion is defined by a LOOP element. The Loop element is defined by a
set of vertices (VERT elements). The elements of the negative extrusion contain attributes that combine to
create the cut-out in the owning panel.
8.1.1 NXTR element
The Position attribute of the NXTR holds the position of the negative extrusion origin with respect to the
PANE.
The Orientation attribute of the NXTR holds the orientation of the panel with respect to the PANE. The
Height attribute of the NXTR holds the thickness of the extrusion.
8.1.2 LOOP element
The LOOP element holds no attributes affecting the extrusion geometry.
8.1.3 VERT element
The Position attribute of each VERT element gives the vertex position with respect to the extrusion origin.
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8.2 Creating Negative Extrusions
As negative extrusions are owned by PANE elements the panel that will contain the NXTR must be the CE.
Negative Extrusion are created by selecting Create >

Negative Extrusion from the main menu to display the
Create Negative Extrusion form.
8.2.1 The Create Negative Extrusion form
The Create Negative Extrusion form is similar to the Create Panel form; however, there are some significant
differences. The form is divided into three areas which are described in the following sections.
Individual extrusions may be named by entering a name in the textbox, however, it is not usual to do so.
8.2.2 Representation
As negative extrusions are not catalogue items, where Drawing Levels and Obstruction values are normally
set, they may be set via the Create Negative Extrusion form.
i The explanation of these settings can be found in AVEVA Outfitting Foundations guide TM-2201
8.2.3 Settings
The Settings area of the form enables the user to select a surface of the panel, i.e. top or bottom, on which
the LOOP will be created and to specify the depth of the negative extrusion.
Clicking the Surface button prompts the user to ‘Pick a surface to be used as a datum’. Clicking on a
surface of the panel automatically sets the orientation for the negative extrusion, e.g. if the panel is bottom
justified and the top surface is selected, the LOOP will be created on the top of the panel and extruded
downwards.
Entering a value in the Hole depth textbox will set the depth of the negative extrusion. If the panel is to be
penetrated completely, enter a hole depth slightly greater than the thickness of the panel. This will avoid any
co-planar conflicts with the graphics display.
Entering a Hole depth value less than the panel thickness will create a partial depth hole.
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8.2.4 Create Methods
The Create Methods area of the form is similar to the Create Panel form except that there are fewer options.
All of the buttons function in exactly the same way as described for Panel creation.
The same rules apply to creating a negative extrusion as to creating a panel, i.e.
· A minimum of three vertices are required to create the extrusion.

· Vertices should always be created in a clockwise direction.
· Vertices should maintain a clockwise numbering sequence.
8.3 Modifying a Negative Extrusion
Negative extrusions are modified by selecting Modify > Extrusion/Panel from the main menu to display the
Loop Vertex Editor form.
The form functions in exactly the same way for Negative Extrusions as described for Panels.
8.4 Creating and Modifying Negative Extrusions - A Worked Example
This worked example demonstrates the creation and modification of a negative extrusion in a panel, using
the Vessel Support structure.
Set Holes Drawn to on on the Representation tab of the Graphics

Settings form.
Make the Skid Grating panel the CE and select Create > Negative Extrusion from the main menu to
display the Create Negative Extrusion form.
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Click the Surface button in the Settings area of the form and pick the top surface of the panel, note that the
surface direction now reads Z WRT /*. As the panel is 20mm thick enter 22 in the Hole depth textbox.
Click the Explicitly Defined Position button in the Create Methods area of the form to display the Define
Vertex form, note that the default co-ordinates are set to 0, 0, 0 wrt World.
Enter CE in the wrt textbox and press the Return key. The co-ordinates now show the panel origin position.
Enter 0 for all three co-ordinates and note that a Vertex position label is now displayed at the panel origin.
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Enter co-ordinates of X 900, Y 1400and Z 0. Note that the Vertex

position label has moved to the co-ordinates specified. Click the
Apply button on the form and note that a new label, Origin, is
displayed at the co-ordinates. Dismiss the Define Vertex form.
Click the Point offset from previous button to display the Define
Vertex form. Enter Y in the Direction textbox and 600 in the
Distance textbox. Click the Apply button on the form and note that
the Last Vertex label is displayed at the new co-ordinates and the
New Vertex label is displayed at the direction and distance
specified.
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Enter X and 300 respectively in the Direction and Distance textboxes and click the Apply button again to
create the third vertex. The extrusion is defined and the extrusion shape appears as black lines on the
surface of the panel.
Enter –Y and 600 respectively in the Direction and Distance textboxes and click the Apply button again to
create the fourth vertex. Dismiss the Define vertex form.
i Note that the X and directions specified in the Vertex offset definitions are defined by the owning
panel (The Y(V) direction is the direction between Vertex 1 and Vertex 2 of the owning panel)
Check the Display modification form checkbox on the Create Negative Extrusion form and then click the
OK button. The Create Negative Extrusion form is dismissed and the Loop Vertex Editor form displayed.
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Modify each vertex to add a 25mm radius curve at each corner of the negative extrusion. Use the Vertex
counter on the Loop Vertex Editor form to move around the Panel Loop to the required vertex.
Exercise 8 – Creating and Modifying Negative Extrusions
Create the cutout in the Panel around one of the channel bar vessel supports. Create the cut-out the same
size as the channel. (For ease of selection of the channel Plines, temporarily remove the beam the channel
sits on from the 3D view, and change the model view to wire frame (F8)).
Expand the negative extrusion loop by 50mm
Add 25mm radii to all four corners of the negative extrusion.
Copy the negative extrusion to the second channel bar support.
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CHAPTER 9
9 Panel Fittings
9.1 Creating a Panel Fitting
A panel fitting is a predefined catalogue item consisting of positive and/or negative geometries. Panel fittings
are referenced in Design by PFIT elements. Panel fittings are similar to section fittings, described earlier in
this training guide, but are owned directly by PANE elements.
With the panel that is to own the fitting as the CE, selecting Create > Fittings > Single from the main menu
displays the Create Panel Fitting form.
9.1.1 The Create Panel Fitting form
The Specification Data area of the form enables the user to select the exact fitting required.
The Specification pull-down enables the user to select the type of fitting required, e.g. standard access,
standard doors, standard windows, etc.
The Generic Type pull-down enables the user to select the generic type of fitting described in the
specification.
The Sub-Type pull-down allows the user to select the sub-type of fitting e.g. a particular style of standard
access.
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The scrollable list displays all available fittings for the Specification, Generic Type and Sub-Type selected.
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The Settings area of the form is where the fitting is justified, orientated and positioned with respect to the
owning panel.
The Justification options list enables the user to specify the positioning of the fitting within the thickness of
the panel and the direction of the fitting with respect to the panel.
The origin of the fitting, as defined in the catalogue, can be positioned on the Top, Centre or Bottom of the
panel. Inwards and outwards relates to the plane direction used to justify the panel. If the selected direction
is incorrect it may easily be modified to ensure the fitting is correctly orientated.
The Beta Angle textbox is used to specify the rotation of the fitting around its Z axis.
The Position box displays the current position of the fitting origin. By default the position is set to the origin of
the owning panel and is displayed wrt /*.
Clicking the Pick Position button displays the Positioning Control

toolbar and the Pick Fitting Position form.
The form shows the default fitting origin position, i.e. the panel origin,
wrt the WORLD. The position may be specified wrt the owning panel by
entering CE in the wrt textbox and pressing the Return key.
The position co-ordinates may then be adjusted to correctly position the

fitting origin. It is important to take into account the orientation of the
panel when specifying the co-ordinates.
A text aid shows the position of the fitting as the co-ordinates are
adjusted.
The Properties button is used to set any Design Parameters that

may have been used in the catalogue definition of the fitting.
The Plotfile button is used to display a sketch of the fitting, if one

is supplied in the catalogue data set. Having selected, positioned
and oriented the fitting, clicking the Apply button on the form
creates the fitting.
The standard catalogue provides simple examples of panel fittings that are used for demonstration and
training purposes. It is important for companies to develop their own catalogues for all panel fitting
requirements.
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9.2 Modifying Panel Fittings
Selecting Modify > Fitting from the main menu displays the
Modify Panel Fitting form.
The Modify Panel Fitting form functionality is the same as

the Create Panel Fitting form except that altering the settings
modifies an existing fitting.
The position of a panel fitting may also be modified by

selecting the Position > Explicitly (AT) or Position >
Relatively (BY) options from the main menu. It should be
noted that the user cannot re-position the panel fitting in the
Up or Down directions, i.e. Z wrt panel, using these options.
The orientation of a panel fitting may also be modified by

selecting the Orientate > Rotate or Orientate > β Angle
options from the main menu. The β Angle may also be
modified from the Command Line.
9.3 Creating and Modifying Panel Fittings - A Worked Example
This worked example demonstrates how to create and modify a panel fitting.
Make the Skid_Grating panel the CE. Select Create > Fittings
> Single from the main menu to display the Create Panel Fitting
form. Select Hole Penetrations from the Specification options
list, Hole Penetrations from the Generic Type options list and
Rectangular from the Sub-type options list. Choose
PENH/FITT/RECT from the options.
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Click the Pick Position button to display the Pick Fitting Position form and enter CE in the wrt textbox.
Enter 0, 0, 0 in the co-ordinate textboxes and the Through

Position label is displayed at the panel origin.
Enter co-ordinates of X 700, Y 400 and Z 0 and note that

the Through Position label has moved to the new co-
ordinates.
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Click the OK button on the Pick Fitting Position form and note that the Position co-ordinates have changed
on the Create Panel Fitting form and New Position is displayed on the panel at the position the fitting will be
created.
Select Properties from the form, and enter Xlength 200,

Ylength 100 and click the OK button.
Click the Apply button on the Create Panel Fitting form to create the fitting.
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Make the panel fitting the CE and select Modify>Fitting from the main menu to display the Modify Panel
Fitting form.
If the fitting (PFIT element) is not the CE, then

the user is prompted to ‘Identify Fitting’. Pick
the fitting in the 3D view. The Modify Panel
Fitting form is displayed.
Enter 90 in the Beta Angle textbox and click the Apply button. The rectangular penetration is rotated by 90°.
Try each of the Justification options and note the changes to the position and orientation of the fitting.
Dismiss the Modify Panel Fitting form.
Save Work.
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APPENDIX A
10 Standard AVEVA Marine Generic Types
This appendix gives the Plines and Parameters for each Generic type (Gtype) shape used to construct the
AVEVA Standard Profile Catalogues.
Generic Type: BOX
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Generic Type: ANG
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Generic Type: BSC
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Generic Type: BEAM
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Generic Type: TUBE
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Generic Type: TEE
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Generic Type: DINI
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Generic Type: DINT
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Generic Type: CHAN
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TM-2221 AVEVA Marine (12 Series) Structural Modelling (Basic) Rev 4.0

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TM-2221 AVEVA Marine (12 Series) Structural Modelling (Basic) Rev 4.0

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Printed by AVEVA Solutions on 14 July 2010

© AVEVA Solutions and its subsidiaries 2001 – 2010

5.4.1 Create a Pline Rule .................................................................................................................. 66

7.8 Connecting Panels – A Worked Example .................................................................................. 146

· Introduce AVEVA Marine concepts specific to the Structural Modelling application.

1.4 Course Structure

1.5 Using this guide

Information the user has to Key-in will be red and bold.

Annotation for trainees benefit:

2 Setting Up the Design Database Hierarchy for Structural Modelling

2.1 How AVEVA Marine Stores Structural Modelling Data

As with all AVEVA Marine Design databases that

For structural modelling, the elements types used

The SBFR level is optional as structural

2.2 Entering a Design Session

2.3 Considerations When Creating the Hierarchy for Structural Models

2.4 Creating Structural Administrative Elements

The Modify Attributes form shows the editable

Clicking an attribute, e.g. Function, displays a

2.5 Starting the Structural Modelling Applications

· Beams & Columns – creation of structural profile elements

These applications may be accessed by from the

The other applications may be started by selecting

Exercise 1 – Creating the Design Hierarchy

Click the OK button on the form to

· The Design Explorer should now look like this:

3 Beams & Columns

3.1 How AVEVA Marine Represents Structural Profiles

i The SCTN may directly

3.2 Initial Settings

3.2.1 Section Specification

The Default Section Specification is shown unset.

Clicking the Set Default Profile Specification icon displays

3.2.1.1 Specification Data

3.2.1.2 Pline Settings

Justification - sets the justification of the section, i.e.

i The Joint line is not within the scope of this module.

3.2.2 Storage Areas

3.2.3 Automating Profile and Primary Node Allocations

3.2.4 Pline Rules

In this example, the new section has terminated at

With an appropriate Pline rule set, the new section

PKEY EQ ‘NA’ OR CCON EQ ‘ANY’

Defining Pline rules is covered later in this training guide.

3.3 Creating Sections

Sections are created by selecting Create > Sections >

3.3.1 The Section form

3.3.1.1 String Method

Single – Start and End Points are individually

Continuous – Start point of subsequent sections is

Radial – Start position for subsequent sections is the

3.3.1.2 Create Option

Initially, when the Section form is displayed,

Clicking the Explicit icon displays the Define section start

The required co-ordinates may be entered and the Start

The default wrt World, defines the co-ordinate system by

Clicking the OK button on the Define section start form

The end position may now be defined by using either of

Clicking the Direction & Distance icon will display a

The other Creation Option icons are:

Perpendicular To – creates a section perpendicular to a selected section.

i For an explanation of Secondary Nodes see Section Connectivity (Section 3.4).