Joint Rules

The joints between beams are defined by rules. There are three different levels of rules, where each of them overrides any lower-priority rule. The rules are listed hereafter from lowest to highest level of priority:

1. Topological Joint Rules - the lowest-priority-level rule, applied on the entire assembly. It automatically recognises the joint topology (L, T or X) between each beam and applies joint type corresponding to the joint topology. See also Joints

   Inputs:

   • L - joint type to be applied to L topology. Default type is L-Miter.

   • T - joint type to be applied to T topology. Default type is T-Butt.

   • X - joint type to be applied to X topology. Default type is X-HalfLap.

1. Category Joint Rules - the second level, defines a single joint type for a specific topology between two categories of beams. The categories are assigned through the string-input Category in the component Beam and added to the rhino lines.

   Inputs:

   • JointOptions - joint type to be applied to a combination of specific categories of beams.

   • CatA - category of the first beam.

   • CatB - category of the second beam.

3. Direct Joint Rules - the highest level, assigns a joint type directly to specific beams. The beams can be selected using the component Find Beam By Rhino GUID See also Beam.

   Inputs:

   • JointOptions - joint type to be applied to a combination of specific categories of beams.

   • MainBeam - first beam.

   • SecondaryBeam - second beam.

Note

Each rule overrides any lower rule, i.e., Direct Joint Rules override Category Joint Rules as well as Topological Joint Rules. Category Joint Rules override Topological Joint Rules.