Create flexible brace

Rank type

The types of flexible racks from different manufacturers may vary, but they can be generally divided into three categories:

Type 1: Single row cable

Type 2: Multi-row cable-ends are not connected

Type 3: Multi-row cable-ends connected

Usage Process

Forward Process

The forward process refers to the entire process from arranging the array to exporting the results, which is completed in Candela3D.

Reverse Process

The reverse process refers to the process of restoring the three-dimensional flexible support layout in Candela3D by reverse importing after the pile positions have been placed in CAD and the heights of the piles and columns have been adjusted in place.

Precautions for Arranging Arrays

Note 1: Mountain analysis can be skipped.

Note 2: Perform sunshine analysis and input the appropriate "Ground clearance" value.

Note 3: Select "By Aspect" on the "Creatd zones" interface for auxiliary analysis, and then manually divide the area into layout areas based on the basic consistency of orientation. Divide the layout area as large and rectangular as possible.

Note 4: Select appropriate parameters for layout on the "Array Layout" interface. Among them:

Nominal azimuth: The azimuth of the array layout can be determined by "by edge" or adjusted by inputting values.

Left and right gaps: The positions of the end anchor rods on both sides of each row should be reserved, usually 3-5 meters.

Align rows: front back alignment

Delete shaded: Uncheck

User settings-Delete arrays in invalid areas: Select "Bottom center" , "In polygon",  "Short edge center", "Not delete".

Create flexible racks (Simplified Version)

This feature includes two aspects:

Aspect 1: Determine the type of flexible support used.

Aspect 2: Determine the position and height of the middle column, end column, and anchor rod.

There are three ways to position piles:

When the user selects "Multi-row cable-ends connected", they can input the number of rows to be locked, and the software will perform verification based on the user's input.

Multi-row cable

Multi-row cable is only applicable to "Single row cable".

Main functions of the multi-row cable:

Feature 1: Determine which rows are arranged in parallel

• “Multi-row cable-ends connected”: has been determined in the previous step.

• “Multi-row cable-ends are not connected”: Users can input branch methods or perform automatic branch operations.

Automatic branch, the software determines which rows are more suitable for interconnection based on the branch accuracy entered by the user. The general principle is that the tops of columns in the same column will form a straight line, and the difference between the height of a column top in the same column from the ground and the average height of that column cannot exceed the precision a.

Feature 2: Adjust the top of each column between the rows to a straight line, and ensure that the straight lines on the top of each column are parallel to each other (as shown in the above figure).

Adjust piles and bases

After selecting an area, the right-click menu will enter the "Adjust Column and Foundation" state. In this state, every time the column and foundation are adjusted, the steel cables and formation will change accordingly. Press ESC to exit the tool.

After activating the tool, moving the mouse over the column or foundation will display the height information of the column and foundation, as well as the angle information of the steel cable above:

Select column to display transverse section

After clicking on the column or foundation with the mouse, the transverse section of the row will be displayed:

The right-click menu can exit the tool.

Select column to display Longitudinal section

After left clicking on the column or foundation with the mouse, the section of the pile position in the column where the column is located will be displayed for both types of cables.

For single row cables, display the column where the column is located and the cross-sections of all columns aligned in front and behind.

Adjust row grouping (only valid for "Multi-row cable - ends are not connected")

By clicking on the row to create a group with the mouse (Shift to deselect, purple indicates selected), a new row group can be created. The affected existing groups will be automatically recalculated.

Move/Copy/Delete pile

Select a column or foundation to adjust their positions. Press ESC to exit.

During the process of moving towards the target position, the distance of movement (horizontal distance) will be displayed, and left clicking with the mouse will place it.

For linked search, each column of the linked list will move synchronously.

When there is interference between the column and foundation and the arrays, the software will remind whether to continue operating or return to its original position.

After the operation is completed, the next column can be selected for adjustment. Right click menu to exit the tool.

The operation of copying and deleting columns is similar.

Automatic adjustment height of pile and base

Angle priority

Yes: Firstly, calculate the top coordinates of each column based on the angle of the steel cable, and then allocate heights to the column and foundation while keeping the top coordinates unchanged. The column and foundation may not fully meet the set requirements (priority should be given to the foundation).

No: Priority will be given to meeting the requirements for column and foundation settings, and the angle of the steel cable may not fully meet the requirements.

Input type

Type 1: Step wise sequence: For example, 1.1, 0.2, and 1.6 represent the sequence with a minimum step length of 1.1 meters, a step length of 0.2 meters, and a maximum step length of 1.6 meters, which is [1.1, 1.3, 1.5]. Separate numbers with commas in English.

Type 2: Sepcify Value: One or more specified values can be entered, separated by commas in English.

Type 3: Specified range: Minimum and maximum values can be entered, separated by commas in English.

Display after adjustment is completed

The software will adjust according to the above conditions, taking a value that satisfies the minimum angle of the steel cable based on the input method and input value. After the adjustment is completed, display the columns and steel cables that do not meet the set requirements.

The minimum angle of the steel cable set during automatic adjustment will be used as the verification target in the future, and columns that do not meet the requirements will continue to be displayed (can be turned off in the "Column Display and Automatic Verification Settings").

Manual adjustment heights of pile and base

Enter the tool through the menu, select a column or foundation, and enter a value in the dialog box.

Positive number: Adjust upwards.

Negative number: Adjust downwards.

For multi-row cables, the same column will be adjusted synchronously.

Right click menu to exit the tool.

You can also adjust the height of the column or foundation as a whole in the selected area through the menu - Overall Adjustment of Column and Foundation Height.

Reassign heights of base or pile

Select the adjustment type according to the requirements, fix the value of one adjustment object, and adjust the value of the other object within the given range.

Pile display and automatic verification settings

Display decimal point settings

You can set the display decimal point for length/height/cable angle.

Check parameter settings

If automatic adjustment was performed before, the default parameters displayed here are the same as those set during automatic adjustment, and users can modify and save them.

Note: Parameter settings are only valid for the current region.

Close pile error 

You can choose to turn on/off the error display. When the number of columns that fail the verification exceeds 50, the error display will be automatically turned off.

Text color

You can choose the text color for column information that exceeds the set value.

Modify the properties

Modify the properties of the middle pillar

Select a middle pile or base, and a dialog box will pop up:

After application modification, the middle pile of the same attribute in the selected area will be modified.

Modify the properties of side piles and anchor rods

Select a side pile and or base, and a dialog box will pop up:

After application modification, all side piles and anchor rods in the selected area will be modified.

The number of steel cables will automatically adjust with the number of end columns.

Create or apply attribute templates for pile and base

Right click to enter the menu and select any post to open the dialog box.In the dialog box, you can create a new template (select "New Template" in the "Template list" of the dialog box, and the created template can be selected for use in all areas), or you can choose an already created template to replace the current column template.

Batch delete middle pile and base (only applicable to "Multi-row cable-ends are not connected")

This function allows for batch adjustment of the number of piles.

For example, in a 3-row configuration, only the first and third columns (counted from front to back) will be retained, in a 4-row configuration, they will remain stationary, and in a 5-row configuration, the first, third, and fifth columns will be retained.

Replace some middle pile propertties

This function is mainly used to replace piles with steel cables that deviate significantly by 180 degrees. For example, replacing a single pile with a double pile.

To access this function through the right-click menu, you first need to input the angle of the steel cable. Piles below this value will be replaced.

This requires creating a new template for the middle post.

After creation, selecting the template allows for further modification or application.

After applying the modifications, the modified quantity will pop up and select these posts.After viewing, press ESC to uncheck to prevent accidental deletion during subsequent operations.

Adjust the middle pile to the end pile

This function is usually used in conjunction with deleting arrays.

After entering the tools through the right-click menu, click on a pair of middle piles and bases in the empty space of the arrays to complete the replacement.

All returned to single pile 

Right click menu to access this function.

When the flexible support in the selected area is not in a single pile and single cable state, the software will adjust it to a single pile and single cable state based on the current state.

Replace arrays

The replacement array is mainly used to replace some rectangular arrays with two short arrays.

Before replacing, please create the array template that needs to be replaced in the array creation interface.

After selecting the arrays (the Multi-row cable will also be selected), an interface will pop up.

After selecting the templates for the two short arrays to be replaced, click "Replace" to complete.

At this point, you can create new columns and foundations between two short arrays by copying the columns and foundations.

Delete array

After entering the tools through the right-click menu, click the mouse to select the arrays, and right-click to "Delete the selected array". Combined row search will automatically select other arrays in the column where the participating rows are located.

Import post coordinates

Importing the pile position table is mainly used to import the pile position data of the flexible support columns and steel cables that have been adjusted through other means.

The imported data format template can be downloaded from the software.

After the import is completed, you can continue to adjust it in the software.

Export post coordinates

Enter through the menu and export the table as follows. Among them:

The serial number "2-1-6" represents the first row and sixth column of the 2 # area, from front to back and from left to right.

When there are multiple pile positions in a row, add a fourth digit number, such as "4-2-6-1" and "4-2-6-2".

Draw front view

Right click on "Draw front view", select the arrays to be drawn in the box, and right-click to complete the selection. To complete the task, use the accompanying CAD plugin and click on "Draw Front View of Arrays" in the "Generate Drawing" menu.