If you left click on the "Building Elements" folder in the Tree View, in the left pane of the window, the Building Elements table will appear on the right. If you click on the '+' on the Tree View, the Tree View will expand and you will be able to see all building elements.
The Building Elements table defines a set of construction types used in the building. Each building element is given a construction name which identifies it with an item in the Constructions database. Building elements are assigned to zone surfaces.
Building Element
Each building element has a name by which it is referenced in Zone - Surfaces. The building element names are displayed in the column headed Name.
Description
This displays detailed information about the building element as input by the user in the section: Building Element.
Construction
The Construction name identifies a construction type in the constructions folder. Each Building Element except Null must be assigned a Construction in the Building Elements table. A building element can only have one construction assigned to it.
Substitute element
If a non-blank value in this column specifies that the construction properties of the building element are to be replaced by those of a Substitute Element at certain times. These times are specified by the Substitute Element profile . In the most common application of this feature, the main building element represents a window and the substitute building element the same window with a blind. The substitution process then represents the drawing of the blind.
You cannot have more than one Substitute Element profile assigned to the same building element on the same day type. You can have different profiles on the same building element so long as they apply to different day types.
To create a new building element to use as a substitute, right click on the building elements folder and choose 'Building Element' from the drop-down menu. To rename this building element, left click on its name, in the folder, left click again, type in the new name and press return. You cannot rename building elements that were exported from the 3D Modeller - see Substitute Element.
Aperture type
Aperture type profiles allow air to flow through the building elements. The profile contains parameters pertaining to opening times and size of opening. Any building element, opaque or transparent can have an Aperture Type profile assigned to them.
You cannot have more than one Aperture Type profile assigned to the same building element on the same day type. You can have different profiles on the same building element so long as they apply to different day types - see Aperture Types.
Feature Shade
A feature shade described in terms of an overhang and a pair of side-fins may be assigned to a surface by assigning a Feature shade profile to the building element.
You cannot have more than one Feature Shade profile assigned to the same building element on the same day type. You can have different profiles on the same building element so long as they apply to different day types - see Feature Shades.
To assign a construction or profile to a single building element. Click on the '+' by the appropriate folder (e.g. Aperture Types), left click and hold down the mouse button while the pointer is over the appropriate profile, drag the pointer to anywhere on the building elements row in the building elements table and release the mouse button.
If you left click on a building element row in the table, you will select it. You can select multiple building elements by holding down the <Ctrl> button while left clicking on them. You can select a range of building elements, by left clicking on the first one in the range, hold down the <Shift> button and then click on the last. All the building elements between them will also be selected.
To assign a construction or profile to the selected building elements. click on the '+' by the appropriate folder (e.g. Aperture Types), left click and hold down the mouse button while the pointer is over the appropriate profile, drag the pointer to anywhere on the building elements table and release the mouse button.
Double clicking on a building element in the table will bring up the individual Building Elements window, which is described in the section: Building Elements.
The Building Element called 'Null' will always appear in the table. It is used to represent a boundary between zones or the outside where no physical barrier exists. It is modelled as a highly conductive surface which transmits all solar radiation and absorbs all long-wave radiation, and exchanges heat with the neighbouring air masses by convection. Air can flow through the Null Building Element. Any Construction, Substitute Element, Aperture Type or Feature Shade that is applied to the Null Building element is ignored by the calculation.
To sort the table by one of the columns, left click on the header of that column. This will order it alphabetically. if you click on the same column header again, it will reverse the order.
To change the width of a column, left click and hold the left mouse button down while the pointer is over the line that divides the selected column header and the column header to the right of it and then move the pointer leftwards or rightwards then release the mouse button.
To change the length of the column so it is best fit, double left click on the line that divides the selected column header and the column to the right of it.
Warning - Ceilings and walls must have a thickness applied in the Building Elements table within Tas 3D Modeller in order that the correct volumes and floor areas are calculated for the spaces in a model. The thicknesses of constructions applied from the constructions database do not affect the volume and area data associated with the zones within the model.