350mm x 350mm Hollow Brick + 90mm x 90mm SHS Column in the center

[mthd]

Hi all, I wanted to ask, what is the best method to model a 350mm x 350mm square brick column made out of 110mm wide bricks, with a 90mm x 90mm SHS steel column in the center ? Do I just draw each column and then drag the SHS to the center ? When cut through on the floor plan, I want to show all the brick skins cut through correctly. Do I just do it with 2D tools or is there a better way to do it ?

BTW this is a very common construction method used in Australia for residential construction.

[Barry Kelly]

Create a complex profile column.

Barry.

[mthd]

I haven’t yet tried that method yet but I will give it a go.

Anything wrong with drawing a 350mm short wall and using wall ends with a returned skin and then placing a 90 x 90 SHS steel column in the center ?

It could affect classifications and quantities but I haven’t used them thus far.

[Barry Kelly · Accepted solution]

You could do it with 4 walls in a square (no need for wall ends) with a steel column in the middle.

But you will have separate elements to manipulate all of the time.

But a single column is much easier to place and move.

As far as quantities, the brickwork should be correct but the centre steel post will not count as a single steel column.

I am sure there will be ways around it to get the correct quantities, but I don't do that myself, so I couldn't say for sure.

You can also add modifiers to the complex profile to adjust heights and widths of various parts.

Also combine multiple complex profiles in a segmented column.

This is one column and actually is just regular segments and not complex profiles.

Barry.

[mthd]

Thank you kindly @Barry Kelly, I really appreciate your clear and concise explanations. I have seen some of your videos on recent posts too and they are excellent. I waiting to hear your voice and verbal explanations on video in the future too, that is if you are not too shy to speak.

I like all the official Archicad training series from the past and how they are slow and right to the point. They are certainly teaching us how to use this sophisticated program effectively.

I see lots of other videos online about using Archicad but most them take too much of our valuable time. Many of them are helpful though.