Cutting Precast Geometry

[mshilderbrand]

I have a precast double tee protruding into a core wall. I need to cut the geometry in 2 directions. I set up my reference plane but can only seem to cut the geometry once.

Also, is there a way to dapp the double tee legs where they hit the L beam seat with RS?
Sorry for the noob question, this is my 2nd day on RS.

[Scott Hammond]

You can use the "Coping" tool where the precast double tees meat the L-beam.

[kmarsh]

Here's a cool trick (thanks to Phil Palmer et al for this one)

1. make a new column family that is a simple solid extrusion
2. set it's material to the same material as the precast (you may need to transfer project standards into your new column family to have the material available (File>transfer project standards...)
3. place it in the project to be a "cutter" object, (where the corner of your precast double t should be removed
4. join geometry between cutter column and precast double t
5. create a new filter
5a. go to VG
5b. select filters
5c. click filters...
5d. click new...
5e. give your filter a name and choose "define criteria"
5f. select "structural columns"
5g. Filter by family name = name of your cutter column family
5h. click ok, then select this filter and 'ok' in filters dialog
5i. click "insert" in VG/filters tab, select your new filter.
6. Turn off visibility for this filter
7. now you have a "hole"

Hopefully there will be an easier way to do this in future releases.

Have fun!
-Ken

[Terry Jordan]

Thanks for the great tip, Ken!

I would like to add that, if you give your cutter column a Visibility parameter you can skip the filter and just "turn off" the column. This way it is automatically invisible in all views and you won't need to filter it in all views.

To turn the cutter column back "on", you would then need to select it in the project browser, right click and pick "select all instances", select properties and change it's visibility which might be a pain if you have multiple instances. I guess you could just copy and rename the cutter columns for each instance.

My 2 cents...

[lzaras]

Ken Marsh's post, with the work-around from Phil Palmer was posted back in 2006.
Are there any updates? How are you handling cutting back your precast double tees around walls?

[dmahan]

try using the opening by face tool. located on the home tab.

[ron.s.olsen363724]

Opening by face! yes!

[eyesfit007791787]

Our best bet will be to contact original panel manufacturer. They will test their original designs for viability of your modifications. For contact details, try digging out the old panel shop sketches.

If the original precaster can not be consulted, a structural engineer must be employed to examine the panels for the new openings and/or to design any reinforcing / supporting steel.