Add Support to Surface

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

Support can be added as individual bolts or bolt patterns to External Volume geometry.

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

Application = Single Bolt

If you have selected Application = Single Bolt then you will be able to add individual bolts to the model. You can add one or more single bolts without closing the dialog, and the bolts may have different properties, orientation or location.

1. Select the method to use in specifying the Bolt Head Location - Freehand or X, Y, Z.
• The Freehand option allows you to add bolts by clicking the mouse at the desired bolt head location on the selected face.
• The X, Y, Z option allows you to enter coordinates of the bolt head location on the selected face. NOTE: the Bolt Head Location must be on the selected geometry (i.e. face or edge). You must then press the Add button to add each bolt.
2. When all Bolts have been added to the selected face, select OK to complete and close the dialog.

Application = Bolt Pattern

If you have selected Application = Bolt Pattern then you will be able to add a bolt pattern to the model. You can add one or more bolt patterns without closing the dialog, and the patterns may have different properties or orientation.

The Bolt Pattern options allow you to define a region (on the selected face) on which a pattern of bolts will be added. This region is defined by the Primary Path and a Secondary Path. The start points selected for both the primary and secondary paths should be the same.

1. Primary Path - this is the primary direction of the bolt pattern. It is defined by entering Start and End points graphically with the mouse or by entering coordinates in the edit boxes. The start and end points of the primary path determine the range in which bolts of the bolt pattern will be added in the primary direction.
2. Secondary Path - this is the secondary direction of the bolt pattern. By default, if this checkbox is not selected, the Secondary Path will be perpendicular to the Primary Path. If you select the Secondary Path checkbox, then you can define Start and End points for the secondary path, which determines the range in which bolts of the bolt pattern will be added in the secondary direction.
3. Primary Spacing - the spacing between each bolt of the pattern in the primary direction.
4. Secondary Spacing - the spacing between each bolt of the pattern in the secondary direction.
5. Primary Rows - the number of rows of bolts in the primary direction. The actual number will be equal to or less than this number.
6. Secondary Rows - the number of rows of bolts in the secondary direction. The actual number will be equal to or less than this number.
7. Primary Offset - allows you to define a starting location for the pattern in the primary direction, as measured from the starting point of the Primary Path.
8. Secondary Offset - allows you to define a starting location for the pattern in the secondary direction, as measured from the starting point of the Secondary Path.
9. Preview Pattern - when all of the parameters for the bolt pattern have been entered, select the Preview Pattern button. Each bolt of the pattern is represented as a square on the surface of the selected face. If the Preview appears incorrect then adjust the bolt pattern parameters as required.
10. Add - if the pattern appears as desired select the Add button to add the bolt pattern to the model.
11. When all bolts have been added to the selected face, select OK to complete and close the dialog.

Bolt Property

You can select a Bolt Property type in the Add Bolts dialog. If you wish to edit the bolt properties you can use the Edit Bolt Property shortcut button beside the bolt property type list.

Bolt Orientation

The Orientation may be specified using one of the following options:

• Normal - Bolts are applied normal to the boundaries
• Trend/Plunge - specify a trend and plunge
• Vector (x,y,z) - specify x,y,z vector components

Flip Orientation

While adding bolts, the orientation may sometimes be opposite from the intended direction (i.e. 180 degrees off). If this occurs you can select the Flip Orientation checkbox in the Add Bolts dialog to reverse the orientation of bolts. After bolts have been added, you can select the bolt or bolt pattern in the Visibility pane and select the Flip Orientation checkbox in the Properties pane to reverse the bolt orientation.

Bolt Length

The length of bolts as measured along the axis of the bolt.