Tip No.8: Generating a Workframe around and existing structure

In this tip, I will show you how to get ProStructures to automatically recognise the steel elements (Beams & Columns) in a model in order to build the corresponding Workframe.

This could be used for example on a structure built in STAAD, imported into ProStructures using ISM to which we now want to add the Workframe.

First, be aware that any structure imported from STAAD will have all members inserted from their middle. Which means all beams will be "offset " half their height upwards. It is actually a "good" thing to have before executing this tip because the Workframe will be built at TOP of all COLUMNS & MID-LINE of all BEAMS.

Once you have the steel you want to create a Workframe around, start the workframe command and select the bottom of the front/left column (of the plan view orientation you want to create with the workframe) as the insertion point.

Then select the orientation of the X axis (bottom of plan view to be generated with this workframe)

At this point the Workframe dialog box will pop-up, showing the values used the last time you used the Workframe, which obviously do not correspond to this specific structure.

Make sure you UNSELECT the 3 check boxes at the left hand side of the Layout tab as shown below in order to activate the "manual" entry of distances.

Now expand any of the 3 pull-downs, and anywhere inside the pull-down, left click with the mouse WHILE holding down the left hand side of the keyboard CTRL key.

You should now be prompted to select the items you want to consider in order to build this new Workframe. Select the whole structure.

Notice how all lines of Workframe appeared (as mentioned in the beginning) in the middle of all beams and on top of all columns. Now we can move those beams back down to their top of steel.

Select ALL beams, and get their "PS Properties" dialog box to open. In the Position tab, notice how their insertion point is the middle. Simply select the top of steel and all beams will shift up by half their height regardless of the fact they are not all the same height.