I have a Validation > Model > General > “Grid is not quite aligned with building directions” warning. Why do I get this and how do I resolve it?

Question

I have a Validation > Model > General > “Grid is not quite aligned with building directions” warning. Why do I get this and how do I resolve it?

 

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Answer

You specify the Building Directions for the model. These by default follow the global X and Y directions, but can be set via the Project Workspace > Structure window by selecting the Structure branch. See the linked article in the right pane for further information on Building directions.

 

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The warning will result if a gridline is placed into the model which is less than 0.01 degrees out of alignment with the Building Directions.

This is most commonly seen after importing a document exchange format (DXF) file into Tekla Structural Designer in order to establish an architectural grid system.

You may think that the imported DXF is a rectilinear system of gridlines, however, due to potentially poor DXF modelling this may not be the case. Tekla Structural Designer checks that any imported gridlines are not less than 0.01 degrees out of alignment within the Building directions. If they are then the Validation warning seen above is reported to you.

You can select individual gridlines and review the properties window to verify the angle. For the gridline exhibiting the validation warning, the angle is not 90 degrees (to align with Direction 2), but is reported as 89.9989 degrees

 

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You may choose to ignore the warning. To resolve, you could either correct the DXF file and import again (if it came from a DXF import), or amend the problem gridline in Tekla Structural Designer by selecting the end node and repositioning, to ensure that it is rectilinear (and parallel with the appropriate Building direction).

 

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