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Beams are intelligently connected to other ArchiCAD elements, similar to
real building structures. Let's see some typical examples. Beams are interrelated with each other.
Beam-beam connections are affected by two parameters: beam priorities and layer priorities.
You can assign intersection priorities to every single beam instances.
Beams with higher priorities are subtracted from those lower priority beams,
which intersect them. As a result the volumes of beams are always calculated
accurately in quantity take-offs.
Fer example the red beam now intersects the white one,
because the red beam's priority is higher. You can also manage beam connections
with layers priorities.
Beams placed on different layers intersect each other according to their
layer priorities.
Layer priorities are stronger than beam priorities.
If the layer priorities are
different, they will be used to determine the beam connections even if the beams
have different values. In case the beams' layers are different but have the same priorities than
beam priorities will be used.
Wall-Beam connections are carried out according to a similar logic. The factors
that determine the connection type are the beam, wall and layer priorities.
Layer priorities override beam-wall priorities.
As you can see now the white beam is taking over the wall but if you change their priorities
it will be the other way round.
Model element connections in ArchiCAD
are explained in more details in a different video.
Beams are often limited by roofs or shells.
In order to remove those parts of the beams, which goes above or below a roof or shell,
simply select it and from the context menu choose the
Connect to Roof/Shell, command.
After that show, which roof or shell you want to connect to and click on those part
of the beam that you want to keep.
Solid element operations are applicable for ArchiCAD beams as well. You can add, subtract,
and intersect beams with any other solid ArchiCAD elements.
Column and beam layouts can be placed with just one click using the Grid System.
This is a huge productivity boost when working with frame buildings.
Click on Design/Grid System,
set the required beam and column types
the size of the grid
and simply place the entire structure with a click.
Special beam types like curved or precast beams, wood joist, girders and trusses
are available in the ArchiCAD library.
These elements are handled as regular ArchiCAD GDL objects.
For instance they will not appear in the beam lists
however if you set their Element Classification parameter
to "Beam"
they will be exported correctly
to external software like structural applications.
In a similar manner you can model your custom beams with any other ArchiCAD tools
e.g. with the Morph Tool
and classify them as beams for proper model exchange.