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Best way to model connections between beams?

  1. S by smr02 on 5 Jul 2023, edited 14 Jul 2023 # +2 votes

    I have a model of beams created from my FEM model in BlenderBIM. Now I'm looking for a way to make the connections between them.

    A connection consists of:

    • Connectors (screws, bolts, ... )

    • Holes

    • Void in each of the beams (e.g. slot, notch)

    • Additional connection part (e.g. angle bracket, slotted in steel plate for timber connections, ...)

    I think it would suit my workflow best to make the connection with FreeCAD and then exporting it to Blender? Is there any way of doing this? Or any other advice?

  2. P by paullee on 5 Jul 2023 #

    @bernd is the expert in FEM and Arch/BIM in FreeCAD to my understanding :)

  3. T by theoryshaw on 5 Jul 2023, edited 5 Jul 2023 # +6 votes

    For Connectors (screws, bolts, ... ), perhaps using IfcMechanicalFastenerType.

    For Holes and Voids can do the following...

    Additional connection part (e.g. angle bracket, slotted in steel plate for timber connections, ...)

    perhaps using IfcMemberType

    Unfortunately mirroring doesn't work, as far as I know, so you'll have to create (2) separate types for members that are mirrored.

    ...

    And then if you want to create an 'aggregate type' of a group, or assembly of beam/connections/plates together, you could use @bruno_perdigao's tool:

    https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/pull/3328

  4. S by smr02 on 5 Jul 2023 # +1 votes

    @theoryshaw Thank you for your answer. This was helpful.

    My connections will be reoccurring in different projects. I was wondering if there is a way to load all parts of the connection in a similar way I would load a window or a door?

    Then i probably still have to assign the voids to the element?

  5. T by theoryshaw on 5 Jul 2023 #

    Yes, loading aggregates, would be a nice feature.

    Maybe meanwhile you can put everything (bolts, plates, brackets) in one type, that then can be loaded into a project.

    I think theres some talk of associating an ifcopeningelemet, like you can with an ifcwindow, with other types as well.... which would obvoiusly be helpfull in this sitation.

  6. S by smr02 on 14 Jul 2023 # +1 votes

    I've managed to take get a FreeCAD geometry to Blender (With Sverchok). It updates when I change it in FreeCAD. Now i want to add it as a void to a beam. Preferably so i can also update it when changing it in FreeCAD. Any ideas? I Don't think there are voids yet in ifcSverchok?

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