🧠 Robot Structural Analysis — “Select Similar” (Deep Explanation)
Fast selection tools for modeling, editing, checking, and design workflows in RSA.
⚡ Faster modeling
🎯 Accurate editing
🧱 RC + Steel + Shell
✅ Best for large projects
What “Select Similar” does
Select Similar automatically selects many objects at once that share the same property as the object you already selected.
Idea: Select 1 object → Right-click → Select Similar → Robot selects the whole group.
- Why engineers use it: save time, reduce mistakes, keep consistent design.
- Where you see it: right-click menu in Geometry / Model workspace.
How to use it (simple workflow)
- Click one object (member, panel, node, etc.).
- Right-click anywhere in the workspace.
- Go to Select Similar.
- Choose the selection rule (cross-section, material, thickness, …).
- Now apply actions to the selected group (properties, loads, design, display, …).
Tip: Use Esc to clear selection, then try again if you selected the wrong group.
```Menu overview (quick reference)
```| Select Similar option | What it selects | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Select Adjoining Members/Objects | Objects connected/touching (continuous path) | Whole frame, continuity check, load path review |
| Select by Cross-section | Members with the same section size/type | Resize beams/columns, group design checks |
| Select by Member Type | All beams, all columns, all braces, etc. | Column-only checks, beam-only edits, system control |
| Select by Material | Same material definition (C30/37, S355, etc.) | Change concrete grade, separate steel vs RC |
| Select by Thickness | Shell/panel elements with same thickness | Slabs/walls thickness updates & verification |
| Select by Reinforcement Type | RC elements using the same reinforcement definition | Batch rebar layout edits, fix design zones |
| Select by Support | Nodes/objects with same support condition | Boundary condition audit (fixed/pinned/roller) |
Deep explanation (one by one)
```Select Adjoining Members / Objects
Meaning: selects all members/objects that are connected to the chosen object (touching at nodes/edges).
Use it when
- You want to select one whole frame or bay quickly
- You want to follow load path and connectivity
- You want to check continuity (beam line, column line)
Example: Click one beam → select all connected beams in the same line/frame.
Select by Cross-section
Meaning: selects all members with the same cross-section (RC rectangular, steel I-section, etc.).
Use it when
- Change a section size for many beams at once
- Run design check for one section group
- Find where the same section is used (QA/QC)
Construction example: All beams 200×400 → select them → modify to 200×450 → run design again.
Select by Member Type
Meaning: selects objects by role/type (beam, column, brace, truss member, etc.).
Use it when
- You want to check columns only (e.g., stability, axial capacity)
- You want to set beam properties or releases only
- You want to apply a workflow per structural role
Tip: This is great before running a “column design” report so you don’t mix beams into the group.
Select by Material
Meaning: selects all members with the same material definition.
Use it when
- Upgrade concrete grade (C25 → C30) for all RC members
- Separate steel elements from concrete elements
- Audit if any member has wrong material by mistake
Example: Select one steel beam (S355) → Select by Material → Robot selects all S355 members.
Select by Thickness
Meaning: selects surface elements (slabs/walls/shells) having the same thickness.
Use it when
- Adjust slab thickness across multiple panels
- Check if all roof slabs are 0.11 m (11 cm) correctly
- Find wrong thickness zones quickly
Example: Roof slab should be 0.11 m — select one panel → select by thickness → verify all are consistent.
Select by Reinforcement Type
Meaning: selects RC elements that share the same reinforcement definition (layout rules, bar types, etc.).
Use it when
- Update rebar pattern for many slabs/walls at once
- Fix a wrong rebar rule in one step
- Re-run design for the same reinforcement group
Best practice: Make reinforcement “types” clean and consistent so this selection method becomes very powerful.
Select by Support
Meaning: selects nodes/objects with the same support condition (fixed, pinned, roller, elastic, etc.).
Use it when
- Audit boundary conditions before analysis
- Fix wrong restraints (a common modeling error)
- Check if supports are consistent across grid lines
Example: If you intended pinned supports but one node is fixed, Select by Support helps you find mismatches.
Real engineer workflow example (fast beam check)
- Select one beam that represents a common section group.
- Right-click → Select Similar → Select by Cross-section.
- Robot selects all beams of the same section.
- Run analysis/design and review results.
- If under-designed or over-designed → update section or rebar once for the whole group.
Why this matters: It saves time and reduces “one beam different by mistake” problems.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Mistake: You forget to select an object first.
Fix: Always click one member/panel before opening the menu. - Mistake: You choose the wrong criterion (Thickness vs Cross-section).
Fix: Thickness = slabs/walls; Cross-section = bars/members. - Mistake: Mixed materials (some C25 some C30) without noticing.
Fix: Use Select by Material to audit and standardize. - Mistake: Wrong supports at a few nodes.
Fix: Use Select by Support before running final analysis.
Pro tips (high-value combinations)
- Select Similar + Copy Properties → apply the same settings fast across the model.
- Select Similar + Load assignment → apply loads consistently to similar members/panels.
- Select Similar + Display for selection (VS) → isolate and visually check only the selected group.
- Select Similar + Filters → advanced selection control when the model is large.
Field rule: Before exporting reports, always do a quick audit using Select by Material and Select by Support.