Data Issues

This guide covers common problems with data operations (pull/push) and their solutions.

Data Loss After Push

Symptoms:

  • Fields reset to zero or empty after push
  • Data that wasn't modified is gone
  • Load combinations disappeared

Cause: Creating BeamDesign Directly

The most common cause is creating a BeamDesign object directly instead of pulling first.

Wrong approach:

// DON'T do this!
var design = new BeamDesign();  // All fields have default values (0, empty, null)
design.DesignCriteria.ProjectInformation.DesignerName = "Jane";
await client.PushBeamDesignerAsync("project", design);
// Result: ALL fields overwritten with defaults!

Correct approach:

// DO this instead
var design = await client.PullBeamDesignerAsync("project");  // Gets current values
design.DesignCriteria.ProjectInformation.DesignerName = "Jane";
await client.PushBeamDesignerAsync("project", design);
// Result: Only DesignerName changes, everything else preserved

Why This Happens

When you push a BeamDesign, every field is sent to Eriksson Beam:

  • Fields you set explicitly
  • Fields you didn't touch (still have their current values)

If you create a BeamDesign directly, unset fields have default values (0, null, empty), which then overwrite the actual data.

Push Validation Failed

Error: ServerErrorException with ResponseCode.InvalidRequest

Symptoms:

  • Push operation rejected
  • "Validation failed" error message

Causes and Solutions

1. Invalid Property Values

Some properties have constraints (minimum, maximum, required).

Solution: Check the error message for specific field:

catch (ServerErrorException ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Validation error: {ex.Response.ErrorMessage}");
    // Message often indicates which field failed
}

2. Incompatible Data Combinations

Some property combinations may be invalid.

Example: Setting a section type that requires specific supporting data.

Solution: Ensure all required related properties are set.

3. Unsupported Section Type

Polygonal sections are not supported by the API.

Solution: Check if you're trying to modify a polygonal section:

if (design.ConcreteExtents?.GetType().Name == "Polygonal")
{
    Console.WriteLine("Polygonal sections are not supported by the API");
    return;
}

Project Not Found

Error: ServerErrorException - "Project not found"

Symptoms:

  • Pull or push fails with project identifier

Causes and Solutions

1. Wrong Project Identifier

Solution: Get list of open projects and use exact identifier:

var openProjects = await client.GetOpenBeamProjects();
Console.WriteLine($"Open projects: {string.Join(", ", openProjects)}");

// Use one of the returned identifiers
var design = await client.PullBeamDesignerAsync(openProjects[0]);

2. File Not Open

Solution: Ensure the file is open in Eriksson Beam:

var openProjects = await client.GetOpenBeamProjects();
if (!openProjects.Contains("MyProject"))
{
    Console.WriteLine("MyProject is not open in Eriksson Beam");
}

3. Multiple Files Open Without Specifier

If multiple files are open and you pass empty string:

Solution: Specify which project:

// With multiple files, must specify
var design = await client.PullBeamDesignerAsync("Project1");

// Empty string only works with single file
var design = await client.PullBeamDesignerAsync("");  // Fails if multiple open

Unexpected Data Values

Symptoms:

  • Pulled values don't match what's shown in UI
  • Values seem wrong or unexpected

Causes and Solutions

1. Unit Mismatch

The API uses inches and pounds. Eriksson Beam UI may display different units.

Solution: Convert units as needed:

// API returns inches
double lengthInches = tBeam.Length;
double lengthFeet = lengthInches / 12.0;

2. Timing Issue

Pull happens at a specific moment. If UI was recently changed:

Solution: Ensure Eriksson Beam has finished processing before pull.

3. Cached Data

Rarely, data may be cached.

Solution: Pull fresh data:

// Force fresh pull
var design = await client.PullBeamDesignerAsync("project");

Section Type Cast Errors

Error: InvalidCastException

Symptoms:

  • Error when casting ConcreteExtents to specific type
  • "Cannot cast object" errors

Cause: Wrong Section Type Assumption

// This throws if section is not TBeam
var tBeam = (TBeam)design.ConcreteExtents;  // InvalidCastException!

Solution: Use Pattern Matching

// Safe approach with pattern matching
if (design.ConcreteExtents is TBeam tBeam)
{
    // Work with tBeam
}
else
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Section is {design.ConcreteExtents?.GetType().Name}, not TBeam");
}

// Or use switch expression
switch (design.ConcreteExtents)
{
    case TBeam t:
        break;
    case IBeam i:
        break;
    case null:
        Console.WriteLine("No section defined");
        break;
    default:
        Console.WriteLine($"Unexpected section type: {design.ConcreteExtents.GetType().Name}");
        break;
}

Null Reference Errors

Error: NullReferenceException

Symptoms:

  • Error accessing nested properties
  • "Object reference not set" errors

Cause: Nullable Properties

Some properties may be null:

// This can fail if ConcreteExtents is null
double length = design.ConcreteExtents.Length;  // NullReferenceException!

Solution: Null Checks

// Safe access
if (design.ConcreteExtents != null)
{
    // Safe to access properties
}

// Or use null-conditional operator
double? length = (design.ConcreteExtents as TBeam)?.Length;

// Or null-coalescing
var strandGroups = design.Reinforcement.Prestress.StrandGroups ?? new List<StrandGroup>();

Save Operation Fails

Error: ServerErrorException on SaveProject

Symptoms:

  • File not saved
  • Path-related errors

Causes and Solutions

1. Invalid Path

Solution: Use absolute path with extension:

// Correct
await client.SaveProject("project", @"C:\Projects\beam.ebf", true);

// Wrong - relative path
await client.SaveProject("project", "beam.ebf", true);

// Wrong - missing extension
await client.SaveProject("project", @"C:\Projects\beam", true);

2. Directory Doesn't Exist

Solution: Ensure directory exists:

var directory = @"C:\Projects\Output";
Directory.CreateDirectory(directory);
var path = Path.Combine(directory, "beam.ebf");
await client.SaveProject("project", path, true);

3. File Locked

Solution: Close other programs using the file.

Diagnostic Code

Use this to diagnose data issues:

public async Task DiagnoseDataState(ErikssonBeamClient client, string project)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"=== Diagnosing: {project} ===\n");

    try
    {
        var design = await client.PullBeamDesignerAsync(project);

        // Project Info
        Console.WriteLine("Project Information:");
        Console.WriteLine($"  Name: {design.DesignCriteria.ProjectInformation.ProjectName ?? "null"}");
        Console.WriteLine($"  Designer: {design.DesignCriteria.ProjectInformation.DesignerName ?? "null"}");

        // Section
        Console.WriteLine($"\nSection:");
        Console.WriteLine($"  Type: {design.ConcreteExtents?.GetType().Name ?? "null"}");

        // Materials
        Console.WriteLine($"\nMaterials:");
        Console.WriteLine($"  f'c: {design.DesignCriteria.MaterialProperties?.Concrete?.fc ?? 0} psi");

        // Loading
        Console.WriteLine($"\nLoading:");
        Console.WriteLine($"  Point Loads: {design.StructuralModel.Loading.PointLoads?.Count ?? 0}");
        Console.WriteLine($"  Distributed: {design.StructuralModel.Loading.DistributedLoads?.Count ?? 0}");

        // Reinforcement
        Console.WriteLine($"\nReinforcement:");
        var strands = design.Reinforcement.Prestress.StrandGroups?.Sum(g => g.NumberOfStrands) ?? 0;
        Console.WriteLine($"  Total Strands: {strands}");
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        Console.WriteLine($"Error: {ex.GetType().Name}");
        Console.WriteLine($"Message: {ex.Message}");
    }
}

See Also