Extending or aligning beams into another beam or changing reference of beams

[Anonymous]

Trying to align or extend beams of a beam system into another, perpendicular beam.

Some of the beams can be extended by changing their reference (Modify > Structural Framing > Change Reference).

However, in this particular case, the beams where there is a wall on the floor above, don't allow this. The Change Reference button just doesn't work anymore. These specific beams are also a bit shorter than the other ones in the same beam system. When moving the wall on the floor above, the beams follow this by automatically extending. So they must be connected to that wall somehow. Neither unjoining or changing reference works.

Screen cast of issue

We've run into this problem multiple times in more than one project and are, of course, looking for a solution.

[Anonymous]

Hello Bram,

do you think you could maybe draw another level at the height where you want to put the beams. And then draw the beams on this level, so they won't get in touch with the wall.

I would do this as a first test, and if it works we can think about whether there is a more elegant solution to this.

Greetings,

Jacqueline

[Pieter.DeBleser]

Hello Jacqueline,

Took your suggestion, gave it some thought and it worked!

In our template we have about 10 levels standard. Every level indicates the top of a floor. Attached to each level, we have two reference planes; one that indicates the bottom of the floor and another level, a bit lower to indicate the height of the ceiling of the floor beneath.

Changed the work plane of the beam system from "level 1" to "Reference plane - ceiling" and the beams extended all the way to where they should be. I then moved the boundary of the beam system one cm away from the core of beam in which they are placed (for clarity in the construction plan).

Its a common way of building extensions to brick houses where we live. Open up a wall and support levels above with a wide flange beam. Build extension. The roof of this extension is usually a beam system topped off with plywood boards, insulation panels and rolled asphalt roofing.

Thanks for your help!