Predefined Materials

The predefined materials functionality offers users a streamlined method to populate data within tables ISTROP (isotropic materials) and ANTROP (anisotropic materials) by simply selecting a material name from table MATL (material location), specifically in column MATREF.

The materials listed in accordance with NEN 3650-2:2020 Table B.1 and are seamlessly integrated into the program. However, it's important to note that the value of ReT (the yield stress of pipe material at a certain temperature) is intentionally left blank and necessitates input from the user. These materials are the default 'program-defined' materials and cannot be altered.

Furthermore, users have the flexibility to expand the existing list of predefined materials with custom materials. This customisation can be performed within the tables ISTROP and ANTROP, allowing for the definition, modification, or removal of custom materials as needed. The custom materials will be saved as the 'user-defined' material list.

The inventory of user-defined material definitions is centrally stored outside the project file, in a singular file located at "%PUBLIC%\Documents\Ple4Win\". Consequently, this implies that the identical list is accessible across all projects for all users sharing the same device. Alterations made to custom material definitions are exclusively retained upon saving the project. Therefore, failing to save changes prior to closing a project results in the omission of alterations to the user-defined material list as well.

Info The predefined material list contains the default non-altered program-defined NEN 3650-2 material list and the custom user-defined material list (if available). In the future, this default program-defined list will be extended with anisotropic materials.

hmtoggle_arrow1How to add a predefined material into your project

In table MATL, click on the arrow in the cell of column MATREF to open the list containing the predefined materials and select the required one.

matlistnew

Or, type the name of the material and click on the arrow to open the list of predefined materials.

matlistexist

The list shown is then filtered with materials that matched with the given (partial) material name and/or description. Subsequently, select the desired material from the list.

Info The predefined material list contains the default non-altered program-defined NEN 3650-2 material list and the custom user-defined material list (if available). In the future, this default program-defined list will be extended with anisotropic materials.

Info If the selected predefined material is not currently listed within tables ISTROP or ANTROP, an entry corresponding to that material will be automatically appended to either ISTROP or ANTROP.

Warning Material data will be automatically added to either ISTROP or ANTROP only if a material item is selected from the predefined material list in MATL. On the other hand, entering a material name manually into MATL will result in the manual addition of material data as well in either ISTROP or ANTROP.
hmtoggle_arrow1How to add custom user-defined materials

It is also possible to input a custom material reference that does not correspond to any predefined material. This can be done by entering a name for this material in the MATREF column of table MATL.

matlistcustadd

Next, you need to manually enter the material data into the ISTROP or ANTROP table.

matlistcustdata

To save this newly created custom material into the material list, simply click on the green plus button plus. This will add the custom material data into the user-defined material list.

Info Please note that utilising the green plus button to save this material data will store it within the  user-defined material list. By doing so, this material will become accessible for other Ple4Win projects.

Info Saving material data using the green plus button is optional; the material data will still be preserved, although only within the active Ple4Win project database.

matlistcustinfo

Additional information regarding this material is necessary to facilitate future selections. These additional details will be presented as descriptions within the material list in the MATL table.

matlistcustdesc
hmtoggle_arrow1How to edit or remove user-defined materials

In the ISTROP or ANTROP table, change one or more values of the material data. A blue refresh button refresh appears next to the name of the custom material. Click this button to save the modified data into the user-defined material list.

matlistmod

When a custom material is successfully changed or added, a red minus button minus is shown next to the name of this custom material. Clicking on this button will remove this material from the user-defined material list.

matlistdel

Info Deleting material data using the red minus button will only remove the material data only from the user-defined material list. The material data is still available within the active Ple4Win project database.

Info In the second row, a warning icon is shown indicating that some data of that material is in conflict with data from the default program-defined material list.
hmtoggle_arrow1How to manage the user-defined materials list

The user-defined material list offers a practical means to store frequently used material data in your Ple4Win projects, when such data is not included in the default program-defined material list or when adjustments to default values are necessary.

To manage the list of user-defined materials, there are buttons in the MATREF columns of tables ISTROP and ANTROP. The following buttons and icons will appear depending on the material information of the row:

•plus: add and save the material in this row to the user-defined materials list.

•minus: remove the material in this row from the list of user-defined materials.

•refresh: save the update of the custom material data using values from this row.

•driehoek: some data of this material is in conflict with the default program-defined NEN 3650-2 material list.

 

Info By adding material data into the user-defined material list, this material will become accessible for other Ple4Win projects.

Info Saving into user-defined material list is optional. By not doing so, the material data is available only within the current Ple4Win project database.

Info When the row exactly matches a material in the predefined material list, no buttons or icons will be shown in the MATREF cell.

Warning The material data from the default program-defined material list cannot be removed or modified.
hmtoggle_arrow1Existing material data is in conflict with data from the program-defined material list

This conflict could occur when opening or importing data from an existing Ple4Win project that was created using an older Ple4Win version without the built-in predefined material list functionality.

matlistconflict0

In the provided example above, the material 'L415Q' has been specified in table MATL, with its corresponding properties outlined in table ISTROP (or ANTROP). An alert is indicated by a yellow warning icon driehoek due to the designation of this material name as reserved within the predefined material list. However, there is no assigned value for ReT in the predefined materials.

If you wish to preserve this custom material data in the user-defined material list, simply click on the yellow warning icon, rename the material accordingly, and save it by clicking on the green plus button plus.

matlistrename

Info Saving into user-defined material list is optional. However, choosing not to do so means that the material data will solely reside within the current Ple4Win project database.

Alternatively, to check whether the material name is reserved in the predefined material list, just click on the arrow adjacent to the material name within the MATL table. This action will open up the predefined material list.

matlistconflict1

Info The list shown is filtered with predefined materials that matched with the given (partial) material name and/or description.

When choosing the corresponding material in MATL, a prompt will appear, inquiring whether you prefer to rename the current ISTROP (or ANTROP) entry or replace it with the predefined material list values.

matlistpopuprename

oOverwrite existing: the existing material data currently stored in table ISTROP (or ANTROP) will be substituted with the default material data retrieved from the predefined list of materials.

matlistconflict2

oRename existing to: the material currently listed in table ISTROP (or ANTROP) will be updated to reflect the new designated name.

matlistconflict3

Predefined-Materials (last modified: Jun 16, 2024)