Structure aspect

The Structure aspect is where you define the structural skeleton of the building: the structural design basis, column grid, RCC columns, floor beams, lintel bands, slabs, and below-ground isolated footings.

Unlike drawing tools, Structure commands live in the Structure right-panel step board in logical construction order.

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Prerequisites

• Draw the exterior shell, interior walls, and rooms in Shell first. Structure frames around your existing architectural walls and openings.

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Step 1: Set up structure (Structural Basis)

Open Set up structure on the step board to configure project-wide structural specifications:

• Structural System: RCC frame (standard), Load-bearing walls, Mixed system, or Other expert scheme.
• Materials: Concrete grade (e.g. M20 1:1.5:3 or M25 1:1:2) and Rebar steel (Fe500 / Fe550).
• Standard Member Sizes:
  • Columns: E.g. 230 mm × 300 mm (9" × 12") or 230 mm × 380 mm (9" × 15").
  • Beams: E.g. 230 mm × 300 mm plinth beams and 230 mm × 380 mm roof beams.
  • Slab Thickness: E.g. 125 mm (5 inches) or 150 mm (6 inches).
  • Footings: E.g. 1.2 m × 1.2 m × 0.45 m depth isolated pad footings.

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Step 2: Set out the structural grid

Click Set out grid on the step board (or press Grid) to generate a coordinated column grid with numbered (1, 2, 3...) and lettered (A, B, C...) grid axes. The grid creates precision intersection snaps across all storeys.

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Step 3: Place columns (Supports)

1. Click Place supports on the step board.
2. Hover over wall junctions, corners, or grid intersections:
   • At a Corner (L-junction), the column snaps flush to outer wall faces.
   • At a T-junction, move slightly towards the stem or arm to position the orientation.
3. Click a junction to aim a column, then click Place column (or press Enter).
4. To place several at once, switch to Place multiple, click each junction to queue it, and press Enter to place them all.

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Step 4: Connect frame (Beams)

1. Click Connect frame on the step board.
2. Click the start column, then the destination column.
3. Click Create beam. Beams do not chain — each beam is its own start and end pick.
4. Connected beams transfer floor slab loads and define primary structural bays.

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Step 5: Lintels & slabs

• Lintels: Coordinates continuous lintel bands or individual lintel beams above all door and window openings on the storey.
• Review slabs: Checks floor slab spans, one-way vs two-way slab classification, cantilever balcony slabs, and stair opening voids.

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Step 6: Continue below ground (Foundations)

1. Click Add foundations on the step board and choose Pad footing.
2. Choose a foundation size, then Shift-click the columns to support.
3. Set the Pad footing top level (Review, then Apply level).
4. Click Preview on plan, check the footprints, then Create.

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How do I see the structure in section?

Click Section drawing beside Canvas. Jodu draws a real wall cut with slab, lintel, opening heads and the founding level. Click another wall in the small key plan, or drag the cut, to move it.

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Why nothing happened

Symptom	Cause	Fix
A command is disabled	Required host not selected	Select the active storey, grid, wall, or opening
Column orientation is wrong	Needs 90° rotation	Press R before clicking to flip orientation
Columns don't snap to wall edges	Cursor is too far from centerline	Move pointer closer to the wall intersection

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Related

• Plan aspects — overview of all Plan aspects
• Shell aspect — architectural walls, rooms, and openings
• Quantities & BoQ — concrete, steel, and shuttering takeoffs