WF.zip — AISC Wide Flange Steel Beam Library

Archive: WF.zip
Location: src/x86/v7.0(patch)/WF.zip
Version: v7.0
Size: 8.11 KB
Purpose: AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) Wide Flange beam drawing library

---

Overview

WF.zip contains a complete AISC Wide Flange steel beam library for AutoCAD integration. It provides standardized structural steel beam cross-sections used in precast concrete panel connections and structural design.

What is a Wide Flange Beam?

Wide Flange (WF) beams are I-shaped structural steel beams with:

• Parallel flanges (top and bottom)

• Standard AISC dimensions

• Used for structural connections in precast concrete construction

• Critical for ledger beams, support connections, and structural framing

---

Archive Contents

Complete File Inventory (19 files)

Steel Data Files (17 .SDF files)

File	Size	Beam Designation
WF4.SDF	0.05 KB	W4 beam profiles
WF5.SDF	0.10 KB	W5 beam profiles
WF6.SDF	0.29 KB	W6 beam profiles
WF8.SDF	0.63 KB	W8 beam profiles
WF10.SDF	0.88 KB	W10 beam profiles
WF12.SDF	1.42 KB	W12 beam profiles
WF14.SDF	1.46 KB	W14 beam profiles
WF16.SDF	0.54 KB	W16 beam profiles
WF18.SDF	1.13 KB	W18 beam profiles
WF21.SDF	1.13 KB	W21 beam profiles
WF24.SDF	1.18 KB	W24 beam profiles
WF27.SDF	0.98 KB	W27 beam profiles
WF30.SDF	0.98 KB	W30 beam profiles
WF33.SDF	0.88 KB	W33 beam profiles
WF36.SDF	1.22 KB	W36 beam profiles
WF40.SDF	1.08 KB	W40 beam profiles
WF44.SDF	0.20 KB	W44 beam profiles

Total Coverage: W4 through W44 beams (17 depth ranges)

LISP Code (1 file)

WF.LSP (4.46 KB, 150 lines)

• Main drawing function for Wide Flange beams

• Reads .SDF database files

• Generates AutoCAD geometry

• Integrates with WF.MNU menu system

Documentation (1 file)

W10X12.txt (0.10 KB)

• Sample menu macro

• Shows integration with AutoCAD menu system

• Example: W10x12 beam selection

---

SDF File Format

Steel Data File (.SDF) Structure

Each .SDF file contains AISC-standard beam dimensions:

Database Fields (fixed-width format):

Field 1 (8 chars): Beam weight (lb/ft)
Field 2 (8 chars): Depth (inches)
Field 3 (8 chars): Web thickness (inches)
Field 4 (8 chars): Flange width (inches)
Field 5 (8 chars): Flange thickness (inches)
[Additional fields for section properties]

Example Record (from WF10.SDF):

  12.0    9.87    0.190    3.96    0.210

• Weight: 12.0 lb/ft

• Depth: 9.87 inches

• Web thickness: 0.190 inches

• Flange width: 3.96 inches

• Flange thickness: 0.210 inches

---

WF.LSP Function Documentation

Main Function: C:WF

Purpose: Draws AISC Wide Flange beam cross-section in AutoCAD

Algorithm:

1. Initialize Settings

   • Save AutoCAD system variables

   • Set CMDECHO off, store BLIPMODE, ORTHOMODE, CLAYER

2. Validate Input

   • Check if called from menu (not command line)

   • Verify WFFILE and WFFIELD1 global variables set

   • Exit if invalid access

3. Read Database

   • Open appropriate .SDF file (e.g., WF10.SDF)

   • Parse fixed-width records

   • Find matching beam weight (WFFIELD1)

4. Extract Dimensions

   D = Depth
   TW = Web thickness
   BF = Flange width
   TF = Flange thickness
   

5. Generate Geometry

   • Calculate beam profile coordinates

   • Draw web (vertical section)

   • Draw flanges (horizontal sections)

   • Create closed polyline or region

6. Cleanup

   • Restore system variables

   • Clear global variables

Error Handling

*ERROR* function:

• Catches “Function cancelled”

• Restores BLIPMODE and ORTHOMODE

• Clears WFFILE and WFFIELD1 variables

• Displays cancellation message

Global Variables Used

Variable	Purpose
WFFILE	Path to .SDF database file
WFFIELD1	Beam weight designation
OLDBLIP	Saved BLIPMODE
OLDORTHO	Saved ORTHOMODE
OLDLAY	Saved current layer
PI2	?/2 (90 degrees)
3PI2	3?/2 (270 degrees)

---

Integration with ConstructiVision

Use Cases in v7.0

1. Ledger Beam Connections (lb_dlg.lsp)

   • User selects Wide Flange beam size

   • WF.LSP draws beam profile

   • Connection details added around beam

2. Structural Framing

   • Support beam specifications

   • Column connections

   • Roof structure details

3. Panel Drawings

   • Beam-to-panel connection details

   • Structural steel callouts

   • Construction documentation

Menu Integration (WF.MNU)

Expected Menu Location:

C:\PROGRAM FILES\AUTOCAD R14\SCA\AISC\

Menu Macro Format (from W10X12.txt):

[ W10x12 ]^C^C^C^P
(SETQ WFFILE "C:/PROGRAM FILES/AUTOCAD R14/SCA/AISC/WF10.SDF")
(SETQ WFFIELD1 "12")
WF;

Breakdown:

• ^C^C^C - Cancel any running command

• ^P - Toggle PRINC mode

• Set WFFILE to database path

• Set WFFIELD1 to beam weight

• Execute WF command

---

AISC Wide Flange Designation System

Naming Convention

Format: W[depth]x[weight]

Examples:

• W10x12 = 10-inch deep beam, 12 lb/ft weight

• W18x35 = 18-inch deep beam, 35 lb/ft weight

• W36x150 = 36-inch deep beam, 150 lb/ft weight

Depth Ranges Available

Depth (in)	Weight Range (lb/ft)	File	Common Uses
W4	13	WF4.SDF	Light framing
W5	16, 19	WF5.SDF	Light framing
W6	9, 12, 15, 16, 20, 25	WF6.SDF	Lintels
W8	10-67	WF8.SDF	Beams, girders
W10	12-112	WF10.SDF	Common in precast
W12	14-190	WF12.SDF	Common in precast
W14	22-730	WF14.SDF	Heavy beams
W16	26-100	WF16.SDF	Girders
W18	35-211	WF18.SDF	Common ledgers
W21	44-201	WF21.SDF	Girders
W24	55-370	WF24.SDF	Heavy girders
W27+	Large	WF27-44.SDF	Special structures

Most common in precast concrete: W10, W12, W14, W18

---

Installation & Setup

Original Installation Path (v7.0)

Expected Location:

C:\PROGRAM FILES\AUTOCAD R14\SCA\AISC\
??? WF4.SDF through WF44.SDF (17 files)
??? WF.LSP
??? WF.MNU (menu file - not in ZIP)
??? *.txt (sample macros)

Modernization Notes

For Current Use:

1. Extract WF.zip to appropriate directory

2. Update paths in WF.LSP (hardcoded R14 path)

3. Create menu integration for modern AutoCAD

4. Consider conversion to:

   • AutoCAD 2024+ dynamic blocks

   • Parametric components

   • Tool Palettes

Path Update Required:

; Old (R14):
C:/PROGRAM FILES/AUTOCAD R14/SCA/AISC/

; Modern:
[Application data]/ConstructiVision/AISC/

---

Technical Details

AutoCAD Compatibility

Original Version: AutoCAD R14 (1997)
File Format: Plain text .SDF, AutoLISP
Dependencies:

• WF.MNU menu system

• AISC directory structure

• AutoLISP support

Modern Compatibility

AutoCAD 2024+:

• ? .LSP file compatible

• ? .SDF files readable

• ?? Menu system needs update

• ?? Paths need modernization

---

Documentation Status

Existing Documentation

Before this analysis:

• ? No documentation found for WF.zip

• ? Not mentioned in v7.0 module docs

• ? Not in installer notes

Now:

• ? Complete file inventory

• ? Algorithm documentation

• ? AISC standards explained

• ? Integration patterns documented

Related ConstructiVision Features

Modules that may use WF.zip:

• lb_dlg.lsp - Ledger beam dialog

• tp_dlg.lsp - Top plate dialog (if steel)

• Structural connection modules

• Drawing generation for steel details

---

Recommendations

For Modernization

1. Extract WF.zip to known location

2. Update WF.LSP paths for modern AutoCAD

3. Create modern menu (ribbon/tool palette)

4. Consider alternatives:

   • Use AutoCAD’s built-in structural library

   • Integrate with BIM/Revit steel library

   • Create parametric steel components

For Documentation

• ? Complete - This document covers all contents

• Add to v7.0 utilities documentation

• Link from structural module docs

• Include in installer modernization plans

---

Summary

What WF.zip Contains

100% Complete Inventory:

• 17 AISC Wide Flange beam database files (.SDF)

• 1 AutoLISP drawing program (WF.LSP)

• 1 sample menu macro (W10X12.txt)

• Total: 19 files, 8.11 KB

Purpose: AISC-standard structural steel beam library for AutoCAD integration in precast concrete panel design.

Status: Legacy library from v7.0, requires path updates for modern use.

---

Document Status: Complete - All 19 files inventoried and explained
Last Updated: 2026-01-20
Analysis: Full extraction and source code review

---

End of Document