Materials dialog box

The Materials dialog box allows you to view material database properties and manage material databases. The databases contain an extensive range of sections, materials, reinforcement, decking and connectors for each head code and country.

Note: Although the Materials dialog can be used to view the properties for any of the head codes, only the properties for the currently selected head code in Model Settings can be applied to the model.

To display the dialog box:

Click the Home tab.
Click Materials.

The dialog box content is described below.

Sections settings

The Sections page of the Materials dialog box allows you to view the available steel, cold formed, cold rolled, and timber sections for each head code. You can also add new user-defined sections.


Field or button	Description
Upgrade	If the button is visible, you can click it to upgrade the material database to a newer version.
Unit System	Allows you to select which units are used for sections.
Head Code	Allows you to select the head code whose material database properties you want to view.
Material	Allows you to select the material whose sections you want to view.
Manage Sections	Allows you to add, modify, and delete user-defined sections.
Manage Section Orders	Allows you to adjust section orders according to your needs.
Connection Resistance	Allows you to add connection resistance information for a section.
Steel Joists	Allows you to add steel joist information for a section.
Plate Dimensions	Allows you to adjust plate widths and thicknesses.

Material settings

The Material page of the Materials dialog box allows you to view properties of each grade of each material for each head code. You can also add new user-defined sections.


Button or field	Description
Upgrade	If the button is visible, you can click it to upgrade the material database to a newer version.
Head Code	Allows you to select the head code whose material database properties you want to view.
Material Type	Allows you to select the material type whose material database properties you want to view.
Add...	If necessary, allows you to add user-defined material grades to the Available Grades list.
View...	Allows you to view the properties of pre-defined material grades.
Delete	Allows you to permanently delete user-defined material grades.
>> Default	Allows you to make the currently highlighted material grade a default material grade, so that it appears in the Default Grade field.

Reinforcement settings

The Reinforcement page of the Materials dialog box allows you to view the properties of reinforcement classes and bar sizes.


Button or field	Description
Upgrade	If the button is visible, you can click it to upgrade the material database to a newer version.
Head Code	Allows you to select the head code whose material database properties you want to view.
Country	Allows you to select the country whose material database properties you want to view.
Type	Allows you to select the type whose material database properties you want to view.
Rib Type	Allows you to select the rib type whose material database properties you want to view.
Add...	If necessary, allows you to add user-defined reinforcement classes or bar sizes to the appropriate list.
View...	Allows you to view the properties of pre-defined reinforcement classes or bar sizes.
Delete	Allows you to permanently delete user-defined reinforcement classes or bar sizes.
>> Default	Allows you to make the currently highlighted reinforcement class a default class, so that it appears in the Default Class field.

Decking settings

The Decking page of the Materials dialog box contains different sub pages: Metal Decking and Precast Concrete Decking. The Metal Decking page allows you to view the properties of different profiles and gauges, and the Precast Concrete Decking page allows you to view the properties of different precast concrete planks and depths. The sub pages contain the same commands.


Button or field	Description
Upgrade	If the button is visible, you can click it to upgrade the material database to a newer version.
Country	Allows you to select the country whose material database properties you want to view.
Add...	If necessary, allows you to add user-defined profiles, gauges, planks, or depths to the appropriate list.
View...	Allows you to view the properties of pre-defined profiles, gauges, planks, or depths.
Delete	Allows you to permanently delete user-defined profiles, gauges, planks, or depths.
>> Default	Allows you to make the currently highlighted profile, gauge, plank, or depth a default option, so that it appears in the appropriate Default field.

Shear Connectors settings

The Shear Connectors page of the Materials dialog box allows you to view the properties of different connectors.


Button or field	Description
Upgrade	If the button is visible, you can click it to upgrade the material database to a newer version.
Head Code	Allows you to select the head code whose material database properties you want to view.
Country	Allows you to select the country whose material database properties you want to view.
Add...	If necessary, allows you to add user-defined sources or connectors to the appropriate list.
View...	Allows you to view the properties of pre-defined sources or connectors.
Delete	Allows you to permanently delete user-defined sources or connectors.
>> Def. Metal	Allows you to make the currently highlighted option the default option for metal, so that it appears in the Default for Metal field.
>> Def. Concrete	Allows you to make the currently highlighted option the default option for concrete, so that it appears in the Default for Concrete field.

Bolts (Rods in US) settings

The Bolts/Rods page of the Materials dialog box allows you to view the properties of bolt/rod classes and sizes.


Button or field	Description
Upgrade	If the button is visible, you can click it to upgrade the bolts/rods database to a newer version.
Unit System	Allows you to select which units are used for bolts/rods.
Head Code	Allows you to select the head code whose material database properties you want to view.
Add...	If necessary, allows you to add user-defined bolts/rods.
Copy...	Allows you to copy an existing bolt/rod.
View...	Allows you to view the properties of the selected bolt/rod.
Delete	Allows you to permanently delete user-defined bolts/rods.
>> Default	Allows you to make the currently highlighted bolt a default, so that it appears in the Default Bolt/Rod field.

Welds settings

The Welds page of the Materials dialog box allows you to view the properties of welds leg lengths and electrodes.

Note: Electrodes are US only


Button or field	Description
Upgrade	If the button is visible, you can click it to upgrade the welds database to a newer version.
Unit System	Allows you to select which units are used for welds.
Head Code	Allows you to select the head code whose material database properties you want to view.
Leg Lengths	Allows you to view the Leg Lengths currently in the welds database.
Defaults...	Allows you to set and view the default weld leg lengths
Reset	Allows you to reset the default weld leg lengths and delete all user defined welds.
Add	If necessary, allows you to add user-defined leg lengths to the database.
Electrodes
Electrodes	Allows you to view the list of electrodes in the welds database.
Add	If necessary, allows you to add user-defined electrodes to the database.
View	Allows you to view the properties of pre-defined electrodes.
Delete	Allows you to permanently delete user-defined electrodes.
>> Default	Allows you to make the currently highlighted option the default electrode, so that it appears in the Default Electrode field.

Model settings

The Model page of the Materials dialog box allows you to both update the material databases with new properties from the model and update material properties in the model with new values from the material databases.


Button, field, or column	Description
In Database	Uses ? to display if there are inconsistencies between the material data in the model and the material databases.
Add to Database	Allows you to update the material databases with values from the model.
Update from Database	Allows you to update the material properties in the model with values from the material databases.
Show only objects not saved in the database	Hides the model properties that are consistent with the material databases.