6.5 Geometry Plates

If you select the Towers - Splices joint type in Window 1.1 General Data (see Figure 6.5), the Geometry, Plates window appears.

In this section, you can specify the splice plate connection's gap size between the cross-sections.

Concerning the arrangement of splices, you can select External plates and/or Internal plates. The system sketch on the right illustrates the position of the plates.

If you select the Dimensions of plates are calculated from the bolt spacing check box, the text boxes for entering length and width of plates below the check box are locked.

The Material of plates can be selected from the list or in a library by using the button.

If there are different cross-sections, it is possible to Insert pads for external or internal plates in order to compensate for the differences in thickness.

In these text boxes, you can define the Thickness, Length, and Width of external or internal plates. Planes 1 and 2 are related to the two legs of the angle.

During the calculation, the module also checks structural details. For example, if the splice dimensions are too small for the bolts, a corresponding error message appears.