To split a beam in Advance Steel, use Split Beams (Home tab > Objects panel), select the beam, press Enter and click the split point. Type G first if you want a gap between the pieces. To join two beams into one, use Merge Beams, select both and press Enter.
Beams rarely stay exactly the way you first placed them. A beam needs a splice, or two pieces you drew separately should really be one. Below are both tools, step by step, plus what to check afterward and what to do when merging doesn’t work.
How do I split a beam in Advance Steel?
Split Beams cuts one member into two, and you can leave a gap between the pieces if you need one. You’ll find it in two places:
Home tab > Objects panel > Split Beams
Objects tab > Beam panel > Split Beams
To split without a gap:
- Start the tool, select the member and press Enter.
- When asked for the split point, click the point (or points) where you want to cut.
- Press Enter. The beam is split at those points.
To split with a gap:
- Start the tool, select the member and press Enter.
- When asked for the split point, type
Gand enter the gap. Press Enter. - Click the split point and press Enter.
It’s also a quick way to shorten a beam: split it, then delete the piece you don’t need. There’s an example in part 06 of my mini tutorial series.
How do I merge two beams into one?
Merge Beams joins two sections into one. They can be in line or at an angle; the only rule is that they’re in the same plane.
- If they’re at an angle, you get one bent section.
- If there’s a gap between them, it gets filled.
Again, two places to find it:
Home tab > Objects panel > Merge Beams
Objects tab > Beams panel > Merge Beams
Start the tool, select the beams to merge and press Enter. They become one beam, even if there was a gap.
Why won’t my beams merge?
- They’re not in the same plane. Merge only works for members in one plane.
- Connections are in the way. A joint between the two beams may need to be deleted first.
What should I check after splitting a beam?
- Connections and welds. A joint that was on the beam stays with one of the pieces. Check both ends of both pieces.
- The splice. If the split is a field splice, it needs a splice connection. The location and design of splices come from the engineer.
- Numbering. The pieces are new parts. Renumber before you make drawings.
- The gap. Measure it with
DIto make sure it’s what you typed.
