Here, you manage the materials and their properties. ATHENA uses materials in many program modules. Different program modules use different properties of the materials. For example, the routine Sheet metal section for the material aluminum uses the bending allowances whereas the program Load-case structural analysis uses the physical material properties.
Dialog box Material properties
db_ath_mat_sys
Dialog box section Material
Here all materials are shown in a tree structure. First, the name appears, then the designation of the material in the set language. A + in front of the material indicates that derived materials are available. To open a material branch you must click it with the mouse. The various properties of the selected material can be modified in the part of the dialog box on the right and in sub-dialog boxes.
You can create new materials, import them and delete any that are not required.
Add Click the button Add to create a new material. To do this, the Dialog box Add material is displayed. You will find a description of the dialog functions in the section Add material.
Import Imports materials as well as hatching, layers, blanks and bending tables assigned to them from other ATHENA settings files (cpl_mat.dex and cpl_layer.dex).
A standard dialog box for material selection appears. Here, you navigate to the folder with the appropriate settings files and select a cpl_layer.dex or cpl_mat.dex.
It is essential that both files are present, because links exist between layers and materials.
Remove When you click the Remove button, you delete the selected material from the list.
Note
• The materials AL, STEEL and SPACE are required by the system. You cannot delete these materials, but you can change their properties if required.
• The material SPACE has a special status. It is used, for example, for cavities (interpane space) in glazing.
Dialog box section Labeling
You can save the material designations in various languages. To specify foreign language material designations, select the language from the list Designation. You then enter the name in the relevant language in the input field.
[...] Opens the Dialog box Label, where you can conveniently edit the designations for various languages. You will find further information in the Chapter Label.
Dialog box section Layer
Here you define the layer settings for the selected material.
System When you activate the option, ATHENA uses the system layer as the selected material (see also Dialog box System layer).
Adopt The option is only active with derived materials. Activate this option to use the layer settings of the higher level material.
Specific With this option ATHENA uses the material-dependent layer. Click the button [...] to change the material layer. You will find further information on this in the Chapter Layer assignment.
Dialog box section Hatch
Here you define the hatch settings for the selected material.
System When you activate this option, ATHENA uses the system hatch as the selected material (see also Dialog box System layer).
Adopt This option is only active with derived materials. Activate this option to use the hatch settings of the higher level material.
Specific With this option ATHENA uses the material-dependent hatching. Click the button [...] to change the material hatching in the Dialog box Assign hatch pattern. You will find further information on this in the Chapter Hatch pattern assignment.
Dialog box section Physical values
Here you define the physical values for the selected material.
None If you activate this option, ATHENA does not make any physical values available for the material. You cannot then use it for structural analysis and building calculations.
Adopt The option is only active with derived materials. Activate this option to use the physical values of the higher level material.
Specific When you activate this option, ATHENA uses the physical values defined for the material. Click the button [...] to change the physical values. You will find further information on this in the Chapter Physical values.
Dialog box section Fold
Here you define the settings of bending allowances for sheet metal sections for the selected material.
None If you activate this option, ATHENA does not make the material available for sheets (command: Sheet metal section).
Adopt The option is only active with derived materials. Activate this option to use the fold settings of the higher level material.
Specific If you activate this option, ATHENA uses the allowances defined in the relevant bending tables for the selected material. Click the button [...] to change the bending tables and bending allowances. You will find further information on this in the Chapter Sheet metal computation values.
Dialog box section Format
Here, you define for the selected material the number format which ATHENA uses for evaluating bars and infills in the 3D section.
System If you activate this option, ATHENA uses the setting of the AutoCAD variables dimdec and dimrnd.
Adopt The option is only active with derived materials. Activate this option to use the format settings of the higher level material.
Specific When you activate this option, the format settings are used which you have defined in the Dialog box Format. Click the button [...] to change the format settings. You will find further information on this in the section Format.
Save When you click the button, the current settings are saved and loaded as default into new drawings.
ATHENA saves these settings in the files cpl_mat.dex and cpl_layer.dex.
If you have loaded materials via the Design environment, when saving you can select whether the standard settings or the settings of the design environment are to be saved.
Reset When you click the button, the previously saved settings are restored.
End of program
Click OK to close the dialog box. If you have not clicked the Save button, ATHENA saves the settings for the duration of the drawing session and returns to the starting dialog box (Dialog box ATHENA options).
