

Planning Applications of
Slab Formwork
 Table of Contents
Introduction...................................................................................................................3
Operating conditions ofDEK CAD...............................................................................4
Limitations in the automatic design of formwork for floor applications..................5
Layer Management...................................................................................................5
Installing DEK CAD.....................................................................................................7
System Requirements................................................................................................7
Installation.................................................................................................................7
Configuring Standard AUTOCAD...........................................................................8
Configuration of AutoCAD Mechanical...................................................................9
AutoCAD Release Notes 10-12..............................................................................10
Configuration Bricscad...........................................................................................11
Draw a rectangular grid..............................................................................................13
Drawing from a Polyline.............................................................................................15
2D Drawing on LAYOUT..........................................................................................19
Transition from 2D to 3D and vice versa....................................................................22
Drawing with details...................................................................................................25
Recover – Hide articles...............................................................................................26
Manager Kit................................................................................................................27

MEC CAD is subject to international copyright laws ©, all rights are

reserved. All programs, block of libraries and design data used
are subject to copyright.

You expressly agree that this product is provided without any warranty,
express or implied, suitability for specific applications. In no event shall
the author be liable to any third party for any special, collateral,
incidental, direct or indirect or consequential damages in connection with
or arising from use of this product.

The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Unless otherwise noted, the
example companies, names, addresses and data used in screens and examples of reproductions is
purely coincidental and is intended only to illustrate the use of the software product rights of translation,
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© Copyright MEC CAD. All rights reserved.

MEC CAD s.r.l.

33100 Udine (UD) ITALIA
www.meccad.eu - e-mail info@ponteggicad.it
 Introduction
DEK CAD allows the aided design to be simplified of modular structures:

• Formwork Modular Floors

DEK CAD is designed for professional use, does not replace the technical designer with his
skills but it provides tools to facilitate, improve and accelerate the design of standard and
complex structures .

DEK CAD unlike other products that make up the suite MEC CAD, PON CAD
scaffolding and FOR CAD formwork-walls, allows the design in two dimensions
(2D).

This solution allows an extreme ease of use resulting in increased productivity and
design flexibility.

At any time the designer can switch between two-dimensional drawing to three-
dimensional and vice versa.

For the operation of DEK CAD is necessary to have installed on your computer, a CAD, are
supported are: AutoCAD® ed Brics® on a Windows® environment .

Main technical characteristics:

• is a multi product, simply by changing the Archive/Library you can run projects with different
formwork;
• is suitable to work in a network with several working groups through centralized
management of data libraries and symbols;
• all the generated documentation and support files are standard HTML, XML, TXT, CSV,
DWG therefore easily readable, editable and can be integrated for maximum flexibility;
• does not change and does not affect the functions of CAD.

AutoCAD is a registered trademark ofAutoDesk inc

Windows is a registered trademark ofMicrosoft inc
Brics is a registered trademark of Bricsys

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 Operating conditions of DEK CAD

The fundamental concept of the guideline of DEK CAD is to not completely fix the
automatic design of formwork and place applications, but give the designer a set of
tools to facilitate the design of simple and even very complex solutions.

DEK CAD works using mm as a measure (in the case use the command "unit" or
"_units"), the factors of scale, dimensions and text must be set accordingly. We
recommend using the model (template) provided in the folder that optimizes the
setting of the unit..

No structures will be designed fully automatic by the procedures of the DEK CAD , but is
guaranteed to the technical ability to amend and supplement the project until a proper
design.
The technician can proceed along two ways in the design:
• design the formwork by manually entering each item, and use CAD commands to
delete, copy, multiply the objects placed in series (method 'MECCANO');
• to develop all or part of the formwork through the automatic controls and make,
adding deleting items, changes to fit the needs of the project.
All commands to copy, duplicate, delete, mirror on the primitive gives You the correct
drawing and writing of the bill.
Pay particular attention during copying (especially with the command 'set / array' and
'Mirror ') not to overlap the graphic objects that would result in a miscalculation of the bill.

The explosion results in the loss of data blocks for the calculation of the Material Bill .

We recommend the use of the prototype (template) provided for a beneficial use of color
three-dimensional environment.

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Limitations in the automatic design of formwork for floor applications

The automatic shuttering drawing command has the following limitations in solving
geometry.
Units:
DEK CAD works with the unit of measurement in millimetres
Design of the perimeters
For proper operation of the command uses the automatic development. DEK
CAD uses existing format geometries POLYLINEA to be:
1. closed (otherwise the build command does not work phases)
2. there are no overlapping segments (there are errors in the recognition of
walls and corners)
Setting DEK CAD provides to the design engineer the ability to modify and integrate the
project developed automatically to obtain a proper design using CAD and the normal
functions of the commands 'Meccano' of DEK CAD.

Layer Management

DEK CAD manages the layers independently, each family of components is assigned a
specific layer (which is derived from the contents of Dbase CSV) associated with the
phase in which the components are inserted. In the various automated tasks sw DEK CAD
work creates the layer reserved that determine his correct function and then the user must
not modify or delete.
DEK CAD is able to manage the design by splitting the pattern of use of formworks work
phases.
For the proper management of working steps DEK CAD will create appropriate layer, and
the graphics (formwork and accessories) belonging to a stage that will always be placed
on layers that start with the ending FC_X_ where X is a sequential number that identifies
the phase.
To simplify: if in a drawing are defined two stages in the design we will find the following layers:
FC_1_panels for the first phase
FC_1_accessory for the first phase
FC_1_………….
FC_2_ panels for the second phase
FC_2_………….
It is recommended to delegate the layer management to the DEK CAD.

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 Installing DEK CAD

System Requirements

DEK CAD does not require special hardware resources other than those provided for the
installation of the CAD program chosen for the 3D design.

The sw DEK CAD is a CAD application suitable to run on any Windows systems.

For a correct installation log in as an authorized user to install new programs. We

recommend the installation of DEK CAD on C: \ drive or other data disk.

The CAD supported are:

• AutoCAD® from version 2004 to version 2012

• BricsCAD® version V10 or higher
•
DEK CAD is provided on a secure pen drive.

Installation

From the PEN DRIVE provided start the INSTALL file

AFTER YOU'VE ACCEPT THE TERMS OF USE The following window is proposed to choose the
type of installation to perform.

Please note that: Make sure you have read and write privileges for the folder of your choice, if in
doubt install the hard data normally used.

To make always available SW DEK CAD within Your CAD,You must configured the CAD by
following the directions outlined below.

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Configuring Standard AUTOCAD
From the menu Tools-> Options, navigate to the Files Folder as shown below, then add,
with the help of two buttons Add and Browse a new path: to the category 'Support Files'

c:\forcad

Confirm and exit

From the menu Tools-> Autolisp-> Load is called the dialogue box that defines what
applications load into Autocad.

To have DEK CAD load automatically each time, select at the bottom on the right, thebutton
Content ... .

With the Add button, select the file in the

folder mcstart.lsp

c:\forcad

Confirming and Close all windows, then

restart the CAD

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Configuration of AutoCAD Mechanical

From the menu Tools-> Options, navigate to the Files Folder as shown below, then add,
with the help of two buttons Add and Browse to the category 'Support Files' a new path:

c:\forcad

Confirm and exit

Then type the command CarMenu (MENULOAD in the English version), a window appears,
then press browse and select the path of the folder Forcad then the meccad0.cui and press
Upload.

Repeat for the menu dekcad0.cui

For compatibility with each new feature Mechanical design is necessary to start the DEK

using the CAD icon .

Recommended settings for Autocad

To streamline the drafting of an automatic drawing using DEK CAD utilities is recommended to set
the options highlighted in the image. Select Tools-> Options-> View.

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AutoCAD Release Notes 10-12
To access the Autocad 10-12 Options
select the CAD icon and then the
command Options

To access the Autocad Load Application 10-12 select the menu icon and then Manage
Ribbon Load Application.

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 Configuration Bricscad

Start Brics CAD PRO, invoke the command

SETTINGS from SETTINGS menu and navigate
to the folder PROGRAM OPTIONS. Select
FILES and SUPPORT FILE SEARCH PATH in

the section by pressing the window

FOLDER LIST will appear.

Within the last appear window add the file path,

listed here below:

c:\forcad

Confirm with the OK button.

Remaining in select SYSTEM PROGRAM OPTIONS and enable on_start.lsp.

Close all windows and restart Bricscad.

If they are not displayed DEK CAD toolbar, write the in the command line MECMENU after you've
restart the CAD

Recommended settings for BRICS

In order to optimize certain features of Bricscad:

• basic model for the command NEW,

• background color for layout,

Use at least once command MC-SETBRICS by typing it directly to the prompt line of CAD.

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The installation of the DEK CAD express acceptance by involves the supply
of the following conditions:

DEK CAD /MEC CAD is subject to international copyright laws ©, all

rights reserved. Are subject to copyright all program data and
libraries used.

You expressly agree that this product is provided without any warranty,
express or implied, suitability for specific applications. In no event shall the
author be liable to any third party for any special, collateral, incidental,
direct or indirect or consequential damages in connection with or arising
from use of this product.

The software does not replace the skills of the design engineer in the preparation of the
project, each design generated is NOT automatically be considered technically correct and
therefore incomplete.

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 Draw a rectangular grid
• Open a new drawing

• Select the menu command C.Slabs -> Step-> Create Stage and then create a
blank stage.

• Select the menu command C. Slabs -> Draw Grid, the window will appear

• Make the choices to suit your needs. The size of the rectangle must be indicated in
this passage, and the specified load will affect the type of shore in the next step.
Confirm with OK.

• Complete the form proposed in the window.

 For high ceiling means the proportion of the concrete floor

 The load leg was calculated automatically according to the parameters
included in the previous window.
 Type shore offers the types depending on the height and the expected
load: the parameters for running these choices are stored in CSV Dbase.
 Flip Shore activates the possibility of inserting the props that is turned
upside down with the spindle facing down, this option is only visible in
three-dimensional representations.

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• After confirming prompted the insertion point and direction, the DEK CAD will start
the drawing.

• You can then complete the drawing using the commands in the menu and C. Slabs
with both the CAD commands (copy, move, delete, etc..).

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 Drawing from a Polyline

• Open a new drawing

• Select the menu command C.Slabs -> Step-> Create Stage and then create a
blank stage.

• Using the CAD tools, draw a closed polyline that represents the area to be set up.
At this stage, be careful not to break up the segments. You can put bows in the
polygon.

• Select the command C.Slabs > Development of the perimeter, a dialog for entering
parameters will appear.

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  The anticipated load will influence the type of shore in the next step.
 Developing design options:
 internal edges distribute the modules internally and along the edges
of the polygon;
 internal-only release forms only inside the borders of the polygon;
 Management islands allows to enter in the next steps with respect to
the floor through the structures such as pillars, holes as inner courtyards,
etc. .. Please note that : Any islands, they must already be drawn, always
with the Polyline command.

• Make the settings as proposed in the previous figure.

• After confirming complete the form proposed.

 For height refers to the portion of the concrete floor.

 The load on shore is calculated automatically based on parameters
entered in the previous window.
 Type shore offers the types depending on the height and the expected
load: the parameters for running these choices are stored in CSV Dbase.
 Flip Shore activates the possibility of inserting the props that is turned
upside down with the spindle facing down, this option is only visible in
three-dimensional representations.

• then select the polygon

• indicate the insertion point of the grid and the beam direction. It is convenient to
specify the insertion point outside the perimeter, you see the cursor location in the
following figure.

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• proposes a simulation of the statistical distribution of the modules

With the Design Reposition button, you can change the insertion point and
orientation in order to obtain the optimization of the distribution modules.

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• You can then complete the drawing using the commands in the menu and C. Slabs
with both the CAD commands (copy, move, Concell, etc..).

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 2D Drawing on LAYOUT
The DEK CAD characteristic of drawing even in two-dimensional mode lets you take
advantage of CAD layout as a drawings folder.

This choice makes it impossible to develop three-dimensional views later.

The example below only wants to propose a simple method of using this feature, other
possibilities can be developed by the user.

• Taking advantage of the CAD commands and rename them to create two layouts:
STEP1 andSTEP2

• Select the command C.Slabs -> Step-> Step Create and create two empty stage.

• Select and open the Layout STEP1 first and then draw the solution of the formwork
STEP1

• Select and open the second layout STEP2 solution and then draw the shuttering of
STEP2

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 Manual input items
In addition to the automatic development of complex assemblies such as rectangular grids
or polygon fills areas, DEK CAD allows you to insert elements of formwork for floor
individually to amend and supplement the project.

The commands to add the items do not differ conceptually from the traditional command
'Insert Block' of the CAD.

The difference is the need to define the portion of DEK CAD Z input of each element to
ensure the correct next step of drawing from two dimensional to three-dimensional.

To this end we have implemented solutions determine the correct height Z input and limit
the continuous requests directly to the project.

The height Z is requested with the following 2 methods:

1. selection of an already designed to get automatically quota, or you can select a

panel from whose quota the sw will calculate the most suitable element inserted.
For example, entering a containment lip can be selected by a panel, the sw will
automatically calculate the optimal proportion.

2. If you are not selected items from which to retrieve the quota, DEK CAD offers a
input window.

If there is no demand means that DEK CAD has provided automatically to find the
value.

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 Transition from 2D to 3D and vice versa
The transition from two-dimensional drawing to three-dimensional design is
straightforward:

invoke the command C.Slabs->2D>>3D

after giving instructions on saving the drawing you can see the transformation.

You can flip the display type: three-dimensional to two-dimensional by using the command
-C.Slabs> 3D>> 2D.

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 BOM
At any time you can invoke the command for the calculation of parts designed.
The calculation is also performed on items originally designed with DEK CAD commands
and then copied or mirrored.

Please note that It may happen that during a COPY or MIRROR SERIES
or performed with many items of CAD commands are accidentally
superimposed.
From the graphical point of view this does not generate problems, but the
calculation of the separate pieces is wrong sometimes in the form relevant.
To overcome this problem is a command that checks and removes all the
design items accidentally overlapping.
MEC-CAD> Compact
Because not all operations performed by the designer (copy, rotate, move,
mirror) are predictable if repeatedly added together, the command does
not guarantee the absolute effectiveness.
Before running this command is recommended to save the drawing.

To get the bill use the command

MEC CAD->Create BOM
Then specify to which objects perform the calculation.
Selecting the All option so will be also counted these items hidden or frozen on the
layers.
If you have created stages, or sections of these particular views will be reported.

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Bom Types
• Video, very fast on the text window shows the list of the material
• Word Processor, create a file with the same name in the same folder as the
drawing with HTML extension and can be read and modified by leading word
processors.
• XML Spreadsheet, create a file with the same name in the same folder as the
drawing with xml and that can be read and modified by spreadsheets
• CSV Format, creates a file with the same name in the same folder as the CSV
design that can be read and modified by spreadsheets or DBASE; used for
integration with inventory or management programs
• Scroll, a scroll designs on the drawing

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 Drawing with details

At any time you can invoke the command to enlarge the definition of graphic design.

DEK CAD designs in 2D and 3D "wire", this provides your computer with good processing speed
and the designer a better representation on the screen even with very large designs.

Using the command MEC CAD-> Views-> 3D Design with the design details will be changed by
increasing the details.

Before you do this DEK CAD drawing occurs if the "wire" has been saved, otherwise it proposes to
save, and rename the design by introducing the ending "_3D" to the filename. This procedure
ensures that you can return to the original design to make the changes on the file to "wire" easier
to manipulate.

The files detail is perfectly equivalent to the one on the "wire" is not only easy to handle.

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 Recover – Hide articles

During drawing operations, especially of complex applications, it may be necessary to hide part of
the design in order to simplify and facilitate the design.

DEK CAD provides a command that temporarily hides the objects drawn.

Hide

1 Open one of the previous years (or any

other plan), call the command

MEC CAD-> Views-> hide objects, and then

select the sections that you want to hide
design

2 Then enter a name that reminds us of the

type of selection, you can also accept the
proposals.

3 Repeat for another section of the drawing.

Restore

1 Recall the command

MEC CAD-> Views-> Show objects and

then select the sections of the design that you
want to restore

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 Manager Kit

DEK integrates a KIT CAD Manager and Special Items:

• The manager of the kit allows you to store and later reuse several times a collection of
articles designed with DEK CAD (for example, a ladder or scaffold ramp). By adopting this
methodology over time and storing special solutions can be stored, ready to use, many
design solutions.

• The manager of special items to store and later reuse items that are not loaded more
than once in a Dbase DEK CAD.

The use of controls relating to Managers,changes the DEK CAD database, however, provides the
sw to create a historical backup can be restored.

Example of use of the kit manager.

• Drawing with DEK CAD a solution of a standard application form or alternatively an

assembly at your pleasure.

• Invoke the command MEC CAD-> Items-> Manager Kit, 3 Select New to define new
forms based sublayer

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 • Then select Add Element to insert the first element.

• Specify the filename of the drawing block that will be created to store the ladder. It is
recommended to use names without spaces and special characters referring to the rules of
the operating system.

• Then select what will be the entry point of the block, and block elements. Specify a
description. The other parameters are irrelevant for the kit, will be important for special
items.

Insertion of the KIT

• To insert the newly created KIT invoke the command MEC CAD-> Items-> Module
Manager then select kit based categories from the column and then enter the item you
want and press the Enter button in the drawing.

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