Introduction

Joints are pre-programmable joints with endcaps, CIMs and linear gods. Joint definitions are used with the Connect Wall command. This is an example of two walls being connected with a joint definition.

Joints Definition

Joints are defined as one or more walls connecting each other from a certain angle. IMPACT has the ability to rotate and mirror joints in memory (to a certain extent) and find alternative solutions when connecting walls. This means you don't have to create multiple definitions for every joint.

Geometry tab

You may choose up to 4 connecting walls. Each wall must be specified with a type and preferably an endcap. Walls can have a rotation, allowing for walls to connect at an angle. The x and y values are insertion points. The joint is previsualized when you change a value.

The continuous wall settings (bottom right) can be used when only one wall is present, such as the example above. Thus, only the connecting wall is affected by the joint if suppose you connecting it as a T-connection to a perpendicular wall.

Cast-In Materials tab

Specify if CIMs should be inserted when the joint is used. Right-click on the table to add more CIMs. Choose which wall the CIM should be placed in as well as orientation (view), insertion points etc.

Change presentation to <Placing> to see what the A, B and C measurements are for.

You can change the CIM placing behaviour by changing the setup to 2, it will then work like this:

Linear Cast-In material tab

Just like CIMs, you can add Linear CIMs to the joint definition.

Reinforcement tab

A new page "Reinforcement" has been added (Q1/2024) to the properties dialog of horizontal joints. On this page, the user can add vertical straight bars to the joint.

When applying the joint with "Connect wall" on a floor plan drawing the straight bars will also be inserted.

Connecting walls with joints

Find the Connect wall button.

Click it and then choose two walls to connect

Press enter. You will now see the joint selection window. Choose an appropriate joint. Since this is a corner we choose a corner joint. Click ok.

You will see the cast-in material window before the joint is created. Here are all the settings you set up in the Joint definition window. Changes you make here are temporary and will only apply this one time.

Press Ok. The joint will be previsualized on the drawing. IMPACT may find more than one solution (as in rotating and mirroring the joint, see figures below. Look at the info text).

Choose solution and press Apply.

Troubleshooting

• No solution is found
  Check definition insertion points and that the endcaps are compatible with the walls you are trying to connect.
   
• No goods or CIMs
  Open up the CIM definition window. If you cannot see the goods preview image, check that the block files exist. If the goods do exist, and the preview images are ok, call support.