Beam Pocket

Use a beam pocket to define an opening for a beam in a wall panel. Add a beam pocket as follows:

1. Select the Wall Panel Macros function.
2. Select Beam pockets to floor plan from the list. The Beam Pocket Properties dialog box opens.
3. Select the beam pocket properties:
   • Cripple Studs

     Select the cross section of the cripple stud (A) from the profile library by clicking the Sel button.

     Piece Properties

     When you change the cross section, you will be prompted: "The cripple stud has been changed. Change also side stud?" Select Yes to use the same cross section for the side stud (B) as well.

     

     Select the number of cripple studs from the Quantity list.

   • Rough opening width

     After you have selected the cross section size and the number of cripple studs, the program automatically calculates the width of the beam pocket (W). Update the width value by clicking in the Rough opening width text field. You can also type a value greater than the calculated value for the pocket width.

     
   • Shim piece

     If you type a value greater than the combined width of the cripple studs for the beam pocket width, you can choose whether the beam pocket should be widened using a shim piece. Select either of the following:

     • No - The shim piece is not added. There will be a gap between the cripple stud and the side stud.

       

     • Yes - The shim piece (C) is added.

       

   • Side Studs

     Select the cross section from the profile library by clicking the Sel button.

     Piece Properties

     When you change the cross section, you will be prompted: "Side stud has been changed. Change also cripple stud?" Select Yes to use the same cross section for the cripple stud as well.

     Select the number of cripple studs from the Quantity list.
   • Side

     When adding a beam pocket at the end of a wall, select the radio button Left end or Right end depending on which end of the wall you wish to add the macro. Left (D) and right (E) are defined by viewing the wall from the outside.

     

     When adding a beam pocket to the center of a wall, set side studs on both sides of the beam pocket by selecting the radio button Both.

   • Height to Bottom of Beam

     Type the height (F) of the bottom of the beam in relation to the floor base height in the text field.

     

   • Plate break

     Select either of the following:

     • No - The top plate will not be broken.

       

     • Yes - The top plate will be broken.

       

4. Confirm by clicking OK.
5. Select a wall.
6. If necessary, change the locating point of the macro, or select another auxiliary function. By default, the locating point is the center point of the stud or stud group.

   Auxiliary Functions for Locating a Panel Macro

7. Select a location for the macro.
8. Quit by pressing the Esc key.

Note

• You can relocate the panel macro by dragging the grip point before generating the panel breaks.
• If you do not wish to use a beam pocket, the studs located at beams can also be notched by determining a joint between the wall and the beam using the Joint Between Beam And Wall Frame function.

Adding a Panel Macro