Predefined direction (Geometry)

With this option an axis/a plane of the Global or the User-defined (UCS) co-ordinate system can be set for the required direction (e.g. the local y’ axis of a beam profile). The direction can be chosen from the drop-down list attached to the Predefined direction option. The available directions depend on the applied FEM-Design Module (e.g. Plate, 3D Structure etc.).

	Symbol	Meaning of direction	System
		Parallel with XY plane	Global
		Parallel with YZ plane	Global
		Parallel with XZ plane	Global
		Parallel with UCS (XY plane)	UCS
		Perpendicular to UCS (XY plane)	UCS
		Parallel with global X axis	Global
		Parallel with global Y axis	Global
		Parallel with global Z axis	Global
		Parallel with X axis of UCS	UCS
		Parallel with Y axis of UCS	UCS
		Parallel with Z axis of UCS	UCS

Table: The available axis directions to set the new direction

Figure: Examples for Beam profile positions

At supports, additional direction setting can be chosen from the definition tool palette:

 “Positive direction”:           The orientation is the same with the selected axis orientation;

 “Negative direction”:        The orientation is the opposite of the selected axis orientation.

Figure: Examples of Point support position

      For some support and connection types, only the reference system can be selected as “predefined direction”. That means the direction of the components (x’, y’ and z’) are valid in the selected co-ordinate system (Global or UCS).

Figure: Support components in different co-ordinate systems