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 regional code and country.
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 regional 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. |
Region |
Allows you to select the regional 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 regional 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. |
Region |
Allows you to select the regional 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. |
Region |
Allows you to select the regional 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. |
Region |
Allows you to select the regional 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. |
Region |
Allows you to select the regional 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
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. |
Region |
Allows you to select the regional 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. |