1.5 Rebar Constraints

By selecting the bar and click on the Edit Constrains icon, we move to the environment in which we can set how the bar will behave in relation to the edges of the element in which it is placed, and in relation to other bars.  

The program automatically Constrain bars to a certain level, however, if we want to have more control over how the bar will behave when we change elements and in relation to other bars, it is necessary to set those parameters ourselves as it suits us. If we do this step correctly, in future changes that happen we will make our job easier and the program should automatically arrange all the bars in a certain element with minimal need to manually adjust each bar individually.

Each bar segment has its own constrain for which we have several options. First you need to chose which plane of the selected bar segment you want to constrain, than you pick and chose to which edge of the element/or other bar you want to constrain that plane and then insert positive or negative value for the constrain.

By pressing Space bar you can cycle between the bar segments that you want to constrain, or Shift+Space for cycle the opposite way. To finish editing press Enter, and to discard all changes press Esc.

We can choose to constrain bar segments to the Cover or to the edge of the element. 

When we add more bars, we got even more options. Now we have option to constrain bars to other bars and to chose between two approach that give the same result, we have the clear spacing between bars and spacing between centre lines of the bars. But of course we can constrain that bars also directly to the cover. 

And we have one more option for constrain that is directly effect to the relation between two bar segments or series of bars. If we chose this option, than when we edit the selected bar series we wouldn't create any changes to the another bar series. 

But if we chose the other option, than when we edit the selected bar series we will effect to the another bar series and that series of bars fill follow the constrained series. In this way this two series of bars will be connected and we can set their clear spacing or to set lap between them. 

When we set everything that we want with constrains, if we for example change type of the column from 30x30 to 50x50 or height of the column all the Bars inside that column will follow that change and adapt to new dimensions of the column.

Now when we cover all the basics of the Rebar Constrain I can give you some more tips refer to this topic.

If we select more bars or series of bars we can constrain them all in once. 

But, if we chose the new target for constrain then they will be constrained to the same target and will have also the same value for constrain. 

Then, after we insert and confirm the new value of constrain the Bars will be now set exactly how we want. 

And one more interesting tip that is directly related to the previous. If we for example select two series of Stirrup and than pick Edit Constrain, when we pick the correct plane for constrain we can now drag or insert the value for constrain for bout series of Stirrups together.