In this document we are going to learn how to use Shape Section tool. Shape Section command is used to create a cranked Shape. With the help of this tool one can add curved or straight segments to straight or already cranked shapes.
Shape Section tool is available at two locations in the ribbon. A) Go to Steel > Edit Steel Elements > Add Shape Section. (Refer the image below). B) This tool is also available in the Shapes dialog so that after placing a section we can immediately add shape other Shape Section to it.1. Place a section of any size as shown below.2. Then use Shape Section command from Edit Steel Elements.3. There are two features available in this tool i.e. a) To add a Straight Segment to an existing shape. b) To add an Arc Segment to an existing shape. a) To add a straight shape to an existing shape, i) Select the Straight Segment option. ii) Then provide the required length of the Straight Segment to be added. iii) Now click on the option Add Segment to shape and then select the shape to which you want to add a segment and then segment will be added. (Refer the image below.) iv) To remove the added segment, select the Remove Segment option from the dialog and click on the cranked shape. b) To add an Arc Segment to an existing shape,i) Select the Arc Segment tab.ii) In this tab, there are some controlling options available to control properties of Arc Segment and their use is given below - Radius - Specifies the radius of the arc segment. - Angle - Specifies the sweep angle of the arc segment. - Rotation - Specifies the orientation angle of the arc segment relative to the x-axis (longitudinal axis) of the shape. - Click to append the Rotation value by 90° in a counter clockwise direction (to the left). - Click to append the Rotation value by 90° in a clockwise direction (to the right). iii) So, as per the requirement and use one can set up the inputs and can place an Arc Segment.iv) After setting inputs select the add segment ( ) option at bottom and click OK. v) See the image below which shows Arc Segment attached to an existing section.4) This tool is also available in the shape placement dialog and the same procedure can be followed to place a shape section. 5) In this way a Straight or Arc segment can be added to an existing shape with the help of Add Shape Segment tool.