Merging two section files using the TFSECMGR AUTOUPGRADE keyin
The TFSECMGR AUTOUPGRADE keyin was written at a time when only one section file could be loaded at a time and was intended to upgrade the old fixed-width ASCII format (.stf extension) to the new XML based format. The keyin writes the section file in memory to a single XML file.
Now that multiple section files may be loaded simultaneously, this keyin can be used to write all of the loaded section files into a single XML file, however, caution should be used when attempting this. The following characteristics should be understood before attempting to merge section files using this keyin.
The TFSECMGR DIALOG Keyin will overwrite the target file without warning
The target file is the file name passed to the command line (e.g. TFSECMGR AUTOUPGRADE )
If the keying is queued without a filename, it will overwrite the file designated by the two configuration variables STRUCTURAL_SHAPES and TFDIR_DATA.
It is highly recommended that this keyin is used with a filename to prevent overwriting of a section file.
It is highly recommended that all section files are backed up before using this command.
Steps for Merging Section Files Step 1: BACKUP ALL SECTION FILES! Step 2: Keyin TFSECMGR DIALOG to open the Section File Manager Step 3: Load the section files that are to be merged using the Section File Manager Dialog Step 4: keyin TFSECMGR AUTOUPGRADE Step 5: Verify the results Final Step: load the new file and unload the two (or more) source files using Section File Manager
Example Create two (2) section files containing one fictitious section each: one wideflange (a.k.a "I-shape") and one angle (a.k.a "L-shape"). Note: the code in both files is "berwyn". You can also merge these into the same file having two separate codes, but, that defeats the purpose of merging the files.
Load the two files
Keyin TFSECMGR AUTOUPGRADE d:\data\excel\berwynAll.xml Review the output file and verify the results.
The AutoUpgrade will attempt load the new file causing duplicate section warnings. To correct, open the Section File Manager and "Remove" the two source files (berwynangle.xml and berwynwf.xml) and "Add" the target file berwynAll.xml