Structural Design Using

an Overview
PDMS screen
Using Design Explorer

• Presents a hierarchical view of the

PDMS database.
• Can drag-n-drop elements within
explorer to copy.
 Manipulating the display view

Display Manipulation operations are handled with

Middle Button drag of the mouse
 Different display views

• The model can be views from different angles in Plan,

Elevation and Isometric.
• In-order to set the desired angle, use Right mouse click on the
3D Graphical window.

The different options used are as shown in next few slides;

 Creating administrative elements

• Important to be located at appropriate level in the data hierarchy

i.e. to create any admin. level we need to be present at level
above. (eg. Framework can be created under Structure only)
• Each identifiable item in the database is known as PDMS
Element.
• The Information associated with each element is known as its
attributes.
The attributes of an element include
- Its Type
- Its Physical dimensions and technical specifications
- Its Physical location and orientation in the design model
- Its Connectivity
Structural Discipline in PDMS
 Shifting to Structure Discipline

PDMS facilitates switching between disciplines without

closing the model.
Applications included in Structural Design are;

• Beams & Columns

• Panels & Plates
• Walls & Floors
• ASL Modeller
How PDMS represents Structural Members

Catalogue Database: Profiles & Specifications

Design Database: Position, Orientation etc.

A Section is represented as an extruded 2D Catalogue profile

while a Panel is represented as extruded user-defined 2D shape.
 P-line Concept
Reference line running along the length of the section.
P-line Concept
 P-line Concept
Some of Commonly used Pkeys:

so on ….
 Exercise 1

Creating a Simple Structure

Creating Simple Structure
 Creating Simple Structure
Step1. Setting default section specification
 Creating Simple Structure
Step 2. Placing Structural Elements

• Explicit placing
• Using Graphical Picking
 Creating Simple Structure

Position Control toolbar

Section Toolbar
 Creating Simple Structure

Position Control toolbar

Section Toolbar
 Creating Simple Structure
Placing Sections using Graphical Picking

Position Control toolbar

Section Toolbar
 Creating Simple Structure
Placing Sections using Graphical Picking

Position Control toolbar

Section Toolbar
Note: Save your work at regular intervals
 Creating Simple Structure

Step 3. Modifying Member Orientation

Rotating the member along its axis to suit drawing specifications.

 Creating Simple Structure
Step 4. Copying part of Design Model

Be at appropriate hierarchy
level in the data hierarchy.
 Exercise 2

Modeling of Pipe Rack

 WELCOME
TO
THE WORLD
OF
 Modifying Datum Point of Primitive Object

• The default datum point of a Primitive Object is its center

point.
• In-order to move the datum to top surface center;

Position > Explicit

In the Explicit position pallet change the Datum Point.
Creating Gridlines