Add Support

The Add Support option is used to add linear 1-dimensional support elements such as bolts or piles to a model.

To add bolts:

1. Select the Loading & Support workflow tab.
2. Select Add Support from the toolbar or the Support menu.
3. You will see the Add Bolts dialog. In this dialog, you can define the bolts using the following tabs:
   • Shape
   • Surface
   • Property
   • Location

Shape/Property Tab

Define Support Shape and Properties:

• Rectangle
  • Width (m) and Height (m)
  • Basepoint [default (U, V)= (0, 0) or custom; point of reference used to translate (U, V) coordinates to (X, Y, Z)]
• Circle
  • Radius (m)
  • Basepoint [default (U, V)= (0, 0) or custom; point of reference used to translate (U, V) coordinates to (X, Y, Z)]
• Polygon (use table to enter custom coordinates)
  • Coordinates [U (m) and V (m)]
  • Basepoint [default (U, V)= (0, 0) or custom; point of reference used to translate (U, V) coordinates to (X, Y, Z)]

Surface Tab

Define where the support will be placed on the model (which model entity will be affected by the support placement)

• Projected on Terrain
  • Spacing Mode (Orthogonal to Drilling Direction or Along the Surface)
• Projected on Volume
  • Volume
  • Projection
  • Spacing Mode (Orthogonal to Drilling Direction or Along the Surface)

Property Tab

Define the properties of the bolts

• Length (m): the length of the individual bolt in the bolt pattern
• Pattern Properties:
  • Horizontal Spacing (m)
  • Vertical Spacing (m)
  • Pattern Angle
  • Pattern Offset (m) - pattern offset from basepoint (U, V) defined in Shape/Property Tab
• Orientation

Location Tab

Options here allow loads to be either placed freehand on the model using the Freehand Manipulation commands or defined by X and Y coordinate on the modelling interface.

• Freehand Manipulation: these commands will minimize the large define load dialog and allow the user to place the load "Freehand" on the model
  • Move Load: move the mouse around the modelling interface and click to place the load in the desired location
  • Rotate Load: move the mouse to rotate the orientation of the load, using the center as the base
• Numerical Definition:
  • Location: Enter X (m) and Y (m) coordinates to define where the basepoint (previously defined in the Shape tab) of the load will be located on the model
  • Orientation: Enter an Angle to finalize the load definition