{"id":33428,"date":"2026-04-27T12:51:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T12:51:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/protasoftware.com\/technical-manuals\/structural-modelling\/how-to-raise-or-drop-a-beam-in-elevation\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T12:37:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T12:37:47","slug":"how-to-raise-or-drop-a-beam-in-elevation","status":"publish","type":"wiki","link":"https:\/\/protasoftware.com\/wiki\/how-to-raise-or-drop-a-beam-in-elevation\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Raise Or Drop A Beam In Elevation"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

By default, the top of the beam is always assumed to be atop of the storey in which  the beam is modelled.  To change the elevation of the beam, i.e. to lower or raise it from default, there are 2 methods :<\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Use <\/span>e-z <\/span><\/b>input in the Beam Properties > <\/span>Genera<\/span><\/b>l tab  <\/span>
    <\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Use <\/span>delZ<\/span><\/b> input in the Beam Properties > <\/span>3D<\/span><\/b> tab<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    <\/p>\n
    \"Notes\"<\/div>\n
    Method 1<\/span><\/b> "e-z<\/b>" is recommended as it is easy and straightforward to cater for minor change in elevation, e.g. toilet drops.
    <\/span><\/div>\n
    "e-z" changes the elevation <\/span>graphically<\/span><\/b> (visual purposes) <\/span>without<\/span><\/b> affecting the elevation of the <\/span>analytical wire<\/span><\/b> of the member (analysis purposes). 
    <\/span><\/div>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
    <\/p>\n
    \"Notes\"<\/div>\n
    Method 2 <\/span><\/b>"delZ<\/b>" can be used if the change in level is significant to warrant a corresponding change in the analytical model.
    <\/span><\/div>\n
    "delZ" changes both the elevation <\/span>graphically <\/span><\/b>and elevation of the <\/span>analytical wire<\/span><\/b> of the member.
    <\/span><\/div>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

    We will discuss and compare the assumption and results of these methods using a simple model.   
    <\/span><\/div>\n

    Method 1 :  Use <\/span>e-z<\/span><\/b><\/span> input in the Beam Properties
    <\/span><\/h2>\n

    In the example model below, all the 3 beams in the right hand side are lowered (dropped) by 300mm.  <\/span><\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    This is done by accessing the <\/span><\/span>Beam Properties <\/span><\/b>><\/span><\/span> General<\/span><\/b> tab :<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n