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In the Structure Input view you can enter any number of rectangular building blocks to start the design process. These building blocks have several functions:
Creating levels
Information regarding wall heights, floor and ceiling depths, foundation elevations that are used to create building levels is input into the blocks. Currently, this information must be the same for all blocks in the structure. Different blocks may have different numbers of levels, for example a 3-level main building with a 1-level attached garage.
Initial Wall Creation
The building blocks establish the initial shell of exterior walls and roof for all levels of the structure. Blocks maintain the integrity of the structure by ensuring that this shell does not have any gaps. Multiple blocks make it easier for you to specify irregular structures, without having to segment and then move the exterior walls of the building. See Wall Creation for more detail.
Defining roofs
Blocks are used to specify roof shapes to determine the areas and heights used for wind load generation and roof building mass for seismic load generation. Multiple blocks allow for complicated roof shapes and for roofs on different levels of the building. See Roofs for more detail.
Low-rise wind generation methods
Blocks are needed for the generate wind loads using the building model in the low-rise method. See WindLoad Generation for more detail.