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Tut Steel Frame English
Tut Steel Frame English
Steel Frame
Scia Engineer
Release: 2008.0
Req. Module:
ESA.00
Base Modeller
ESAS.00
Lineair Statics 2D
ESASD.01.0*
ESASD.02
Manual:
Revision:
03/2008
Scia Engineer
All information in this document is subject to modification without prior notice. No part or
this manual may be reproduced, stored in a database or retrieval system or published, in any
form or in any way, electronically, mechanically, by print, photo print, microfilm or any other
means without prior written permission from the publisher. SCIA Software is not responsible
for any direct or indirect damage because or imperfections in the documentation and/or the
software.
Copyright 2008 SCIA Software. All rights reserved.
Scia Engineer
WELCOME
INSTALLATION
INTRODUCTION
GETTING STARTED
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
GEOMETRY INPUT
10
36
40
CALCULATION
52
RESULTS
53
CODE CHECK
58
DOCUMENT
78
POSTFACE
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Scia Engineer
Welcome
Welcome to the Scia Engineer Tutorial Frame Steel. Scia Engineer is a calculation program
under Windows XP/2003 with a large range of application: from checking simple frames to
the advanced design of complex projects in steel, concrete, wood
The program includes the calculation of 2D/3D frames, including the profile check and the
connection check for steel structures. Apart from frames, plate structures can be dimensioned
as well, including advanced concrete calculations.
The entire calculation and design process is integrated in one program: geometry input, input
of the computational model (loads, supports), linear and non-linear calculation, output of
the results, elements check and optimisation to the different codes as well as generation of the
calculation note
Scia Engineer is available in three different versions:
Licensed
version
Demo version
Student version
Scia Engineer
Installation
System requirements
For the installation of Scia Engineer, your system needs to meet the following system
requirements:
Hardware requirements
Processor speed
RAM
Graphic card
Free disk space for program
Free disk space for projects and
temporary files
Software requirements
MS Windows XP / 2003
Other requirements
To install Scia Engineer, you need at least Power User rights. To work with Scia Engineer,
you need normal user rights as well as read and write rights for the Scia Engineer folders.
The general set-up program of the CD-ROM will automatically start when you insert the CDROM in the CD-ROM player. You will obtain a menu listing all available software on the
CD-ROM. Follow the instructions on the screen to install Scia Engineer.
Scia Engineer
Introduction
The example of this Tutorial can be designed with the Licensed or Student Versions. Before
you proceed, you must be familiar with your operating system: for instance working with
dialogues, menu bars, toolbars, status bars, handling the mouse, etc.
This Tutorial describes the main functions of Scia Engineer for the input and calculation of a
3D steel frame.
First, we will explain how to create a new project and the set-up of the structure. After the
geometry and load input, the structure will be calculated and the results can be viewed. Next,
we will discuss the input of the buckling parameters and we will perform the steel check, the
profile optimization and calculate a connection.
The Tutorial ends with a brief introduction to the calculation note.
The figure below shows the calculation model of the structure to be designed:
Scia Engineer
Getting started
Starting a project
Before you can start a project, you need to start the program first.
1.
2.
If the shortcut is not installed, click [Start] and choose Programs > Scia Engineer > Scia
Engineer.
If the program does not find any protection, you will obtain a dialogue indicating that no
protection was found. A second dialogue will list the restrictions of the demo version. Click
[OK] in both windows.
For this Tutorial, you must start a new project.
1.
2.
in the toolbar.
In the Select New Project dialogue, choose for the structure environment by clicking on
the corresponding icon. Confirm your choice by clicking OK.Now, the Project data
dialogue is opened. Here, you can enter general data about the project.
Scia Engineer
3.
In the Data group, enter your preferred data. These data can be mentioned on the output, e.g.
in the document and on the drawings.
4.
5.
Click [Add].
The dialogue Available national codes is opened.
7.
8.
9.
Notes:
On the Basic data tab, you can set a project level. If you choose default, the program will only
show the most frequently used basic functions. If you choose advanced, all basic functions will be
shown.
On the Functionality tab, you choose the options you need. The non-selected functionalities will be
filtered from the menus, thus simplifying the program.
On the Combinations tab, you will find the values for the partial safety factors. In this Tutorial, we
will use the default settings.
Scia Engineer
Project management
Save, Save As, Close and Open
Before entering the structure, we first will discuss how to save a project, how to open an
existing project and how to close a project. When executing the project of this tutorial, you
can save the project every now and then. In this way, you can leave the program any time and
continue with the project at a later time from that point on
Saving a project
Click
in the toolbar.
If the project has not been saved yet, the dialogue Save as will open. Click on the arrow
in the list box Save in to select the disk where you want to save the project. Select the
folder where you want the project and click [Open]. Select sub-folders. Enter the file
name below File name and click [Save] to save the (empty) project.
If you click the
icon again, the project will automatically be saved with the same
name. If you choose File > Save as in the main menu, you can enter a new/other disk,
folder and name for the project file.
Closing a project
To close this project, choose File > Close in the main menu.
A dialogue box will appear, asking you if you want to save this project. Depending on
your answer, the project will be saved and the active dialogue will be closed.
Opening a project
Click
A list of projects will appear on the screen. Select the desired project and click [OK] (or
double-click on the project to open it).
Scia Engineer
Geometry input
Input of the geometry
If you start a new project, the geometry of the structure must be entered. The structure can be
entered directly, but you can also use for instance templates with parametric blocks, DXF files
and other formats.
- Profiles
When entering one or more 1D structure elements, a profile type is immediately assigned to
each member. By default, the active profile type is represented. You can open the profile
library to activate another profile type. If you want to add a part of the structure, before a
profile type has been defined, the profile library will automatically be opened.
Adding a profile
1.
The Cross-Sections manager is opened. If no profiles have been entered in the project, the
New cross-section window will be automatically opened.
2.
3.
4.
Click [Add] or
5.
6.
In the Available components for this group, you can choose an angle steel
Choose L70x7 from the list.
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7.
Click [Add] or
8.
Click [Close] in the New cross-section window, the Cross-Sections manager will appear.
9.
Click [Close] to close the Cross-Sections manager and to return to the project.
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- Geometry
Structure menu
1.
When a new project is started, the Structure menu is automatically opened in the Main
window. If you want to modify the structure at a later time, you must double-click on
Structure in the Main window.
2.
In the Structure menu, you can choose different structural elements to enter the structure.
To set up the structure, you must enter the first frame. Then, this frame will be copied and the
wind bracings and the horizontal beams will be entered.
To enter the frame, you can use columns and bars. Scia Engineer however offers multiple
Catalogue blocks, allowing for a smooth and simple input of the structure.
1.
To enter a new frame, use the option Catalogue Blocks in the Structure menu. The Block
select manager is opened.
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2.
3.
In the Available items of this group, you can choose the first frame:
4.
Confirm your choice with [OK]. The Geometry block window appears.
5.
6.
In the pull-down menus, choose HEA 200 for the Column and IPE 180 for the Beam.
7.
Confirm your input with [OK]. The Catalogue block manager appears.
8.
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9.
The frame is positioned with the left column in the origin of the coordinate system. To this
end, type the coordinates 0;0 in the Command line and press <Enter> to confirm your input.
Notes:
The properties of selected elements are shown and can be modified in the Properties
window.
If no section has been defined in the project, the New cross-section window will
automatically appear, as soon as you will try to enter a structural element (column, beam).
You can end your input by pressing either the <Esc> key either the right mouse button.
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After input of the first frame, it can be copied to obtain the entire hall. As you need two copies, you
can use the Multiple copy option
1. First select all entities to be copied. As you must copy all bars, you can use the Select All icon
In this way, all bars and nodes are selected; this is represented in magenta:
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4. To manually set the distance between the frames, deactivate the Define distance by cursor
option. Now, you can enter the distance 6m in direction Y.
5. Click [OK] to confirm your input. The frame is copied.
6. Press <Esc> to finish the selection
After the frames have been entered, the connecting beams of the frames can be entered. The start and
end nodes of the beams are already known, i.e. the start and end nodes of the entered bars. Therefore,
you do not have to enter the beams by means of coordinates; instead of that, you can use the Cursor
snap settings.
1.
at the lower right of the screen. The Cursor pick settings window is
2.
Activate the options a) and b) to pick the midpoints and the end points of bars in this project.
3.
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Now, you can enter the beams.
Entering a beam
1.
To enter a new beam, you use the Horizontal Beam option in the Structure menu.
2.
3.
As the structure type Frame XYZ has two horizontal directions (i.e. X and Y), you must
indicate the right direction for the horizontal beam in the Direct field. Choose Axis Y option.
4.
5.
The insertion point is default set to Begin so that the left point determines the position of the
beam.
6.
7.
Now, you can enter the beam by clicking with your mouse on the top node of the left-hand
side column of the first frame:
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8.
Enter the other beams of the roof in a similar way, by always clicking on the top node of a
column.
9.
Note:
The Multiple copy option also allows for the automatic input of the beams connecting the
framees.
In the first fields between the first and second frame, two more horizontal beams are located.
To enter these beams, you could use the Horizontal Beam option. Scia Engineer however
enables copying these entities manually.
Copying entities
1.
First indicate the entity to be copied. As this is a horizontal beam, you can select one of
the entered beams with the left mouse button. The magenta colour indicates that the bar
is selected. The properties of the bar are shown in the Properties window.
2.
Click with the right mouse button somewhere in the work environment. The appearing
menu lists the available possibilities for the selected entity:
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3.
4.
The program asks the Start point of the copy. Click with the left mouse button on the
start node of the selected bar
5.
Now, you must enter the End point, i.e. the position where the starting point should be
copied. As the new beams start in the middle of the columns, the midpoint of one of the
columns of the first frame is indicated.
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As the Midpoints option was already activated for the Snap settings, you can simply pick
the centre point of the column.
6.
When the first beam is copied, the command remains active, so that you can also pick the
midpoint of the second column of the first frame to enter a horizontal beam at that
position.
7.
8.
After input of the horizontal beams, you can enter the bracings.
The bracings are no columns or horizontal beams; therefore, you must use the Drawing a member
command here.
Entering bracings
1.
To enter a new member, use the Drawing a member option in the Structure menu.
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2.
In the Type field, choose Wall Bracing. This type is only considered for the STRUCTURAL
model and does not influence the calculation model or the results.
3.
4.
5.
Now, the bracings can be entered between the second and third frame. To this end, always
click on the start and end nodes of the columns:
6.
7.
The structure is completely set up. Now, you can finish the geometry, i.e. enter Haunches, hinges and
supports.
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- Haunches
In this project, haunches are entered on the roof beams, at the connecting positions with the
columns.
In Scia Engineer, a haunch is defined by the following parameters:
A section with variable height
A length, over which the variable height must vary up to 0
Entering Haunches
1.
To enter a new haunch, use the Haunch option in the Structure menu.
2.
As indicated, a haunch requires a variable profile. Since this project does not contain
variable profiles yet, the New cross-section window automatically appears.
3.
4.
Click [Add] or
to add the profile to the project. The Cross-Section window appears;
here, the properties of the variable section can be changed.
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button behind
5.
In the I sections field, change the section in an IPE 180 by clicking the
the section type.
6.
When the correct section is set, the variable height va (mm) is set to 150mm
7.
8.
The New cross-section window reappears; click [Close] to close this window.
9.
The Cross-Section manager appears; click [Close] to close this window as well.
11. In the Position field, choose Begin to position the haunch at the start node of the member.
12. In the Coord. definition field, choose the option Abso to indicate that the length, over
which the variable height must vary, can be entered in absolute units, i.e. in meter.
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13. When the Coordinate Definition is adapted, the length of the haunch can be entered in the
Length x [m] field. For this project, enter length 1m.
14. Confirm your input with [OK]
15. Now, the program asks to indicate the members, on which a haunch must be entered.
Select the 6 roof beams with the left mouse button:
As the previous image already showed, the haunches are correctly positioned on one side of
the hall. On the other side however, the haunches are located at the wrong extremity. To
visualize this situation, you need to click the following buttons in the command line:
Show/hide surfaces
Render geometry
The position of these three haunches must be corrected in the Properties window.
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1.
2.
3.
Here, you can see that the Position is set to Begin, in accordance with your input.
4.
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to deactivate both
Note:
A haunch overwrites the original section. For this project, this specifically means that the
profile of the roof beam is replaced by the I + I var profile. If the haunch is removed, the I + I
var profile will be maintained instead of the I-section of the roof profile.
- Hinges
In this project, the diagonals are connected with the other members in a hinged way. As the
chosen structure type is Frame XYZ, the structure elements are connected to each other in a
rigid way. Therefore, you must enter hinges manually.
Entering hinges
1.
To enter hinges, use the Hinge on beam option in the Structure menu.
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2.
The hinges are entered at both extremities of the diagonals; therefore, choose Both for the
Position.
3.
To obtain a hinge, the rotation phiy is set to Free, the translations and the other rotations
remain Rigid. In this way, the diagonals will be exclusively hinged in the planes of the
sidewalls.
4.
5.
The hinges are added when you click the diagonals with the left mouse button.
6.
7.
Note:
Hinges are always defined with regard to the local coordinate system of a member.
- Supports
The geometry input can be completed with supports. The column bases are modelled with
hinges.
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Before adding the supports, you first must select the nodes to position the supports (for this
Tutorial). You can select these nodes manually, one by one, but Scia Engineer offers a simple
method to select entities with a common property.
1.
To select all column bases, select one of the lower nodes, by drawing a frame from the
left to the right with the mouse.
2.
3.
Now, choose the property to be used for the selection of the entities. For this project, you
want to select all lower nodes. The common property of these nodes is their coordinate in
global Z direction.
Click with the left mouse button on the Coord Z (m) property to select the field of this
property.
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4.
The column bases are selected; now, supports can be added to these nodes.
Entering supports
1.
To enter supports, use the Support in node option in the Structure menu.
2.
To create a hinge, take the translations Rigid and all rotations Free.
3.
Confirm your input with [OK]. The supports are automatically attributed to the selected
nodes.
4.
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Notes:
If you draw the box from the left-hand side to the right-hand side, only entities, which are
completely in the rectangle, will be selected. If you draw the rectangle from the right-hand
side to the left-hand side, the entities, which are completely in the rectangle, as well as the
entities that intersect with the rectangle will be selected.
The Command line includes a number of predefined supports. For this project, you could
have used the Hinged support
icon.
Similar to the selection of supports, you could have used the Select elements by property
option to select all diagonals, where hinges had to be entered. The determinant
property here would have been the Section.
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1.
Double-click on the Check Structure data option in the Structure Menu or click on the
icon in the toolbar.
2.
The Structure data check window appears, listing the different available checks.
3.
4.
The Data Check Report window appears, indicating that no problems were found.
5.
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- Connecting entities
A column and a roof girder have a common node. The end node of the column for instance is
the start node of the roof girder. This girder automatically is connected to the column.
The two girders arriving in the middle of the columns are not ending in nodes. The end nodes
of the beams are located inside the column and therefore are not yet connected to the columns.
In this paragraph, we will explain how to connect the bars to each other.
To display the names of the bars and nodes, you can activate the labels by means of the
buttons in the Command line.
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When you select column B1 with the left mouse button, the properties are displayed in the Property
Window:
This window indicates that the start node is N1 and the end node N2. Node N18 is not part of the
column. To connect beam B20 to the columns, use the Connect members/nodes option.
Connecting entities
1.
2.
Double-click on the Connect members/nodes option in the Structure menu or click the
icon in the toolbar.
3.
Answer Yes.
4.
The Setup for connection of structural entities dialogue box now appears.
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6.
Connected nodes are represented in the graphical screen by means of double red lines:
When you select for instance girder B20, the Properties window will show that node N18
connects the girder with column B1 and that node N19 connects the girder with column B5.
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Note:
6.
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Setting the viewpoint using the wheels. At the bottom right of the graphical screen, there are
three scroll buttons, two horizontal and one vertical. Using these scroll buttons, the structure
can be zoomed or rotated.
1.
To zoom the structure or to rotate the structure, click on the scroll button (the cursor will
change from an arrow into a hand), keep the left mouse button pressed and move the scroll
button.
Or
2.
If a node is selected when the structure is being rotated, the structure will be rotated around
the selected node.
1.
2.
3.
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Use
to enlarge.
Use
to reduce.
Use
to zoom in a window.
Use
Use
1.
In the graphical window, click the right mouse button. The following popup menu appears:
Note:
If an element was previously selected, you can define a setting that only applies to the selected
elements (you will obtain an adapted popup menu).
2.
Choose the option Set view parameters for all. The window View Parameters Setting
appears. The menu includes several tabs. You can set the view parameters for all entities or
just for the selected entities.
Using the Structure tab, you can change the representation of the different entities.
On this tab, the following items are important to this project:
Style + colour: you can display the colours by layer, by material, by section or by structural
type.
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Draw Cross-Section: use this option to display the symbol of the section on each bar.
Local Axes Members 1D: this option activates the local axes of the bars.
With the Labels tab, the labels of the different entities can be displayed. In the Beam labels
group for instance, the following items can be displayed in the label:
Name: displays the name of the sections in the label.
Cross-Section type: displays the section type section in the label.
Length: displays the bar length in the label.
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The toolbar on top of the Command line includes a number of frequently used options,
amongst others:
Show/hide surfaces
Render geometry
Show/hide supports
Show/hide loads
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1.
Double-click on
2.
Before you can define loads, you first must enter load cases. Since this project does not
contain any load cases yet, the Load Cases Manager will automatically appear.
3.
By default, the load case LC1 is created. This load is a permanent load of the Self Weight
load type. The self weight of the structure is automatically calculated by means of this type.
4.
Since you will also manually enter loads in the first load case of this project (Roof Weight),
you must change the Load Type to Standard.
5.
In the Description field, you can describe the content of this load case. For this project, enter
the description Self Weight Structure.
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1.
Click
or
2.
3.
4.
The EC1 - load type determines the composition factor that are attributed to the load cases in
this load group. In this project, choose Wind.
5.
Click [Close] to close the Load group manager and to return to the Load cases manager.
6.
Each load is classified in a group. These groups influence the combinations that are
generated as well as the standard-dependant factors to be applied. The following logic is
adopted.
Variable load cases that are independent from each other are associated to different variable
groups. For each group, you set the load category (see EC1). The combination factors from
the Eurocode are generated from the available load groups. When a generated combination
contains two load cases belonging to different groups, reduction factors will be applied for the
transient loads.
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If the load is divisible, its different components are entered as individual load cases. As long
as the load combination does not contain any variable load belonging to another group, no
reduction factors may be applied. The different load cases of a divisible load are therefore
associated to one variable group.
Load cases of the same type that may not act together, are put into one group, which is made
exclusive, e.g. Wind X and Wind -X are associated to one exclusive group Wind.
Loads
After input of the Load cases, the Loads menu will automatically appear:
The first load case includes two loads:
- Self weight of the bars
- Roof weight
Switching between load cases
Activate LC1 by selecting this load case with the mouse pointer in the list box:
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Entering the self weight as linear load
1.
2.
Click on Line Force - on beam in the Loads Menu. The dialogue Line Force on beam
appears.
3.
In the field Type, choose Self Weight. The Direction is the global Z-direction and the Gravity
coefficient is set to 1, so that the load is acting vertically downwards.
4.
5.
5.
6.
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The roof weight is entered as a series of concentrated loads. The roof girders are charged with 5
concentrated loads of 5,8 kN. The first and last load is positioned at 1/10th of the length; therefore, the
distance between the concentrated loads is 1/5th of the length.
1.
Click Point Force on beam in the Loads menu. The Point Force on beam dialogue
appears.
2.
3.
The load Direction is Z and the System is the global coordinate system GCS. In this way, the
concentrated loads are acting vertically downwards.
4.
5.
For the Coordinate definition, choose Rela. In this way, you can enter the above-mentioned
relative distances.
6.
The starting Position x is modified to 0,1, so that the first concentrated load is located at 1/10th
of the length.
7.
The series consists of 5 concentrated loads; therefore, set the Repeat (n) field to 5.
8.
The intermediate distance Delta x between the concentrated loads is 0,2, i.e. 1/5th of the bar
length.
9.
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Note:
Loads, supports, hinges are considered as additional data, i.e. data that are additionally
added to entities such as nodes, bars
The other roof girders could have been charged in the same way. Scia Engineer however offers a
simple method to copy additional data such as loads to other entities. Therefore, the load of this roof
girder can be copied to the other roof girders.
Copying loads
1.
Select one of the concentrated loads on the roof girder with the left mouse button. As this
concentrated load is part of a series, the entire series is automatically selected.
2.
Click on the right mouse button at an arbitrary location in the workspace. A popup menu
shows the possibilities for the selected entity:
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option
3.
Choose the
4.
Select with the left mouse button the bars, where this load must be copied: the remaining 5
roof girders.
5.
6.
On the first and the last frame, only half of the load must be active. If you need to edit entities or
additional data afterwards, you can use the Properties window.
Adapting a load
1.
Select the series of concentrated loads on the roof girders of the first and last frame by clicking
with the left mouse button on these 4 series.
2.
The common properties of the 4 series are displayed in the Properties window.
3.
4.
5.
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After input of the loads in the first load case, the wind load can be entered. The frames are loaded with
a wind load of 4,8 kN/m
Activate LC2 by selecting this load case with the mouse pointer in the list box:
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1.
Click on Line Force - on beam in the Loads Menu. The dialogue Line Force on
beamappears.
2.
3.
The load Direction is Z and the System is the local coordinate system LCS. The linear loads
are acting in accordance with the local Z-axes of the bars
4.
5.
7.
Select the bars where this load must be positioned: the roof girders and the columns.
8.
6.
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Similar to the roof load, the wind load on the first and last frame must be divided by two.
Adapting a load
1.
Select the linear loads on the roof girders and the columns of the first and last frame by
clicking with the left mouse button on these loads.
2.
The common properties of the 8 series are displayed in the Properties window.
3.
4.
5.
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Click [Close] to quit the Loads menu and to return to the Main window.
Note:
, which
Combinations
After input of the load cases, the latter can be grouped in combinations. In this project, two
linear combinations are created, one for the Ultimate Limit State and one for the Ultimate
Serviceability State.
Defining Combinations
1.
Double-click on
below
2.
Since no combination has been entered yet, the window to create a new combination will
automatically appear.
3.
The Type of the combination is changed to En ULS. With this combination type, Scia
Engineer will automatically generate combinations in accordance with the composition rules
of the Eurocode.
4.
By means of the button [Add all], all load cases can be added to the combination.
5.
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or
6.
Click
7.
8.
9.
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Calculation
Linear Calculation
As the calculation model is completely ready, you now can start the calculation.
1.
Double-click on
below
2.
3.
After the calculation, a window announces that the calculation is finished. Click [OK] to close
this window.
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Results
Viewing results
After the calculation is executed, the results can be viewed.
1.
Double-click on
2.
3.
The options in the Property Window are configured in the following way:
The Selection field is set to All.
The Load type is set to Combinations and the Combination to CO1.
The Values are wanted for Rz.
The Extreme field is changed to Node.
4.
The action Refresh has a red background, i.e. the graphical screen must be refreshed. Click
on the
button behind Refresh to display the results in the graphical screen in
accordance with the set options.
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5.
To display these results in a table, the Preview action is used. Click on the
Preview to open the Preview.
behind
Note:
The Preview appears between the Graphical Screen and the Command line. This screen can
be maximised to display more data at once.
1.
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2.
The options in the Property Window are configured in the following way:
The Selection field is set to Current.
The Load type is set to Combinations and Combination to CO1.
The Values are wanted for My.
The Extreme field is changed to Global.
3.
Select the columns and the roof girders of the centre frame with the left mouse button.
4.
To change the display of the results, the settings of the Graphical Screen can be adapted.
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Configuring the Graphical Screen
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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6.
7.
Note:
To change the font size of the displayed results, you can use the Setup > Fonts menu. In this
menu, the different sizes of the displayed labels can be changed.
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Code check
The Scia Engineer steel modules include a number of powerful tools to perform the steel
calculations in accordance with the chosen standard.
The possibilities at a glance:
Input of advanced steel data
Simple input and edition of buckling data
Input of reinforcements, stabilities against lateral-torsional buckling, cladding
Unit check of the profile section
Optimisation of the profile section
Fire-resistance check
Input and calculation of frame connections
Input and calculation of diagonal connections
Automatic generation of sectional drawings
Automatic generation of assembly drawings and anchorage plans
Relative deformation check
In this Tutorial, we will only explain the basics of the steel calculation. For more information
regarding advanced steel calculations, we refer to the Advanced Steel Training.
Before the steel calculations can be started, the buckling parameters of the members need to
be checked. By means of the view parameters, the buckling lengths of the members can be
visualised.
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Buckling parameters
Displaying the system lengths on the structure
1.
Select with the left mouse button column B1, the left column of the first frame.
2.
Click on the right mouse button at an arbitrary position in the workspace. A menu lists the
possibilities for the selected entity.
3.
4.
Activate the System lengths and Draw cross-section options to display the reference lengths
and the section of the bar.
5.
Activate the Local axes Members 1D option to display the local coordinate system of the
bar.
6.
7.
Notes:
The system lengths are only displayed on elements that are connected to other bars in their
field or for bars located in each other extension. On mono-component elements, such as the
roof girders of our project, no system lengths are displayed
The system lengths are automatically interrupted at the hinges.
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The figure shows that system length Ly for buckling around the strong axis is 5m and Lz for
buckling around the weak axis 2,5m. The girder in the middle of the column therefore
supports the column for buckling around the weak axis, i.e. for bending in the Y direction.
To modify the buckling data of a bar, use the option Buckling and relative lengths.
1.
Select both columns of the first frame with the left mouse button.
2.
The Properties window shows the common properties of both entities. The Buckling and
relative lengths are set to Default.
3.
Click the
appears.
icon behind Buckling and relative lengths. The Buckling data window
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This window shows that in the middle, the column is supported for buckling around the weak
axis (zz) and that the column in the middle is not supported for buckling around the strong
axis (yy).
4.
Click [Edit] to change the buckling data. The Buckling and relative lengths window
appears.
5.
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Note:
The default settings for the buckling parameters are displayed below Steel > Beams
> Setup > Setup for check of steel members. For a steel calculation, the structure is
by default non-braced for buckling around the strong axis and braced for buckling
around the weak axis. Otherwise said: a frame in non-braced in the plane and plane
outside of the plane, taking the presence of wind bracings outside of the plane into
account.
Buckling systems relation: in these fields, you can define the system length to be used for,
amongst other things, torsional buckling and lateral-torsional buckling.
Relative deformations systems relation: in these fields, you can define the system length to
be used for the relative deformations.
6.
On the Buckling data tab, you can edit the parameters in detail. The column consists of 2
components, i.e. 3 positions are available: (1) at the start, (2) in the middle at the horizontal
girder and (3) at the end, at the roof girders.
For instance, by modifying the Free option on position (2) for yy to Fixed, buckling of the
column in the middle around the strong axis would be avoided as well. For this Tutorial, the
default options are maintained.
7.
8.
The Buckling data window re-appears. Click [Close] to close this window.
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The Properties window indicates that the buckling parameter BC1 is used for the columns of
the first frame.
9.
When the buckling parameters are set, you can continue with the steel check. Before proceeding,
deactivate the Member parameters and Local axes representation by means of the Fast
adjustment of viewflags on whole model
option.
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1. Click the
2. If this option is not available, you must restart the calculation using the Hidden calculation
icon in the Project toolbar.
3. The options in the Properties window are configured in the following way:
The Selection field is set to Standard
The Values are wanted for Lam y, i.e. the slenderness around the yy axis
The Extreme field is modified to No.
6. Change the Values field to Ly to display the reference length for buckling around the strong
axis.
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7. In the Property Window, click the
values.
Change the Values field to ly to display the buckling length for buckling around the strong
axis.
After viewing the steel data, you can perform the steel check for the columns. A unit check is carried
out in accordance with the standard. The unit check includes both a capacity and a stability check.
1. Click
2. The options in the Properties window are configured in the following way:
The Selection field is set to All
The Load type is set to Combinations and the Combination to CO1.
The Filter is changed to Cross-Section
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For the Cross-Section, choose HEA200 to ensure that only the results for the columns are
displayed.
For the Values, choose a un. check
The Extreme field is changed to Global.
The graphical screen shows that the maximum unit check occurs for one of the columns. To
understand the cause of the problem, you can open the Preview with a detailed representation
of the performed steel check.
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4. Before opening the preview, set the Output option in the Properties window to Detailed.
icon behind Preview to open the Preview.
Click the
This report reveals that the column does not comply with the Combined Stress Analysis; a
section with a larger inertia is required.
Scia Engineer allows for a simple and smooth optimization of the steel section. The program will
automatically propose a profile section, which complies with the unit check.
1.
2.
This window once more displays the maximum unity check for HEA200: 5,961
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3.
Click the Search for Optimal button. The program will search in the profile library for a
profile complying with the unit check.
It appears that HEA300 complies with the requirements: maximum unit check 0,917.
4.
Note:
5.
To quickly restart the calculation after an optimisation, use the hidden calculation
option. Click on the Hidden Calculation
6.
Note:
An optimisation is always performed for a section, i.e. the optimised section is always
attributed to all bars with that particular section. In this Tutorial, the filter was already set to
section. If not, the program will automatically switch to this filter.
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Steel connections
In Scia Engineer, steel connections can be detailed in an advanced manner. Both rigid and
hinged frame connections can be modelled, as well as bolted diagonal connections and grid
connections.
In this Tutorial, a rigid frame connection will be inserted between a column and a roof girder.
Activating the Steel Connection Input
1.
To obtain access to the steel connections, this functionality needs to be activated first.
Double-click on
in the Main window to open the Project Data and click on
the Functionality tab.
2.
In the Steel part, activate the Frame rigid connections functionality. The functionality
Structural model is automatically activated as well, as this one is required for the
definition of the connection.
3.
When the required functionality is activated, the Structural model, on which the connection will be
defined, can be activated.
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Displaying the Structural model
1.
Zoom in on node N2, i.e. the node that connects column B1 and roof girder B2 to each
other.
2.
In the calculation model, the bars are arriving in the same node, i.e. node N2. In actual
practice, the girder stops for instance at the column flange or vice versa. In Scia
Engineer, one can indicate this through the structural model.
3.
icon in the
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The structural model shows the structure, as it will be realized in practice. On this model, you
can introduce the connection.
Note:
The structural model uses priorities. The element with the highest priority has priority.
By default, an element of the Column type has a higher priority than an element of the Beam
(Girder) type. Therefore, the girder is interrupted at the column flange.
With Setup > Beam types (Structural), the priorities can be adapted.
Steel connections are always based on the structural model. If the column continues, a
connection with end plate on the girder is obtained; if the girder continues, a connection
with end plate on the column is obtained.
1.
Double-click on
2.
Double-click on
3.
4.
Now, indicate the bars between which the connection should be established. The program
automatically selects all bars arriving in node N2. As the connection must be inserted
between the column and the roof girder, deselect girder B13.
Press the CTRL key and click on the girder with the left mouse button to deselect this
girder.
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5.
Press <Esc> to finish the selection. The connection is inserted and the properties are
displayed in the Properties window.
6.
The options in the Properties window are configured in the following way:
The Load type is set to Combinations and Combinations to CO1.
For the Frame type, choose braced.
7.
Now, the components of the connection can be entered. Activate (check) the End plate
option. The end plate is entered and immediately displayed in the graphical screen:
8.
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9.
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12. For the Selected bolt position, an M20 8.8 is chosen. A window informs you that the
bolt position has changed.
Click Yes: the bolt positions, intermediate distances, edge distances are automatically
adapted to the new bolt type.
13. The window furthermore shows that 2 bolt rows are active: the 1st Row and the 3rd Row
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14. Click [OK] to confirm your input. The bolts are displayed in the graphical screen.
15. To complete the connection, check the Top Stiffener and Bottom Stiffener options.
At this time, the connection is displayed in the same colour as the model. To change this
view, use the View parameters menu
16. Click the right mouse button at an arbitrary location in the workspace. The menu lists the
available possibilities for the selected entity.
17. In this menu, select the
parameters settings window appears.
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18. In this menu, check the Welds and Coloured options.
The connection now is completely modelled. Now, you can open the results.
20. In the Properties window, click on
connection.
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This Results window shows the performed unit checks, the rigidity calculation, the
weakest link of the connection, etc
21. Close this menu with [OK].
22. To display these results in a table, use the Open Preview action. Click the
behind Open Preview to open the Preview.
icon
Note:
Connections are additional data, i.e. a connection can be copied to other junctions.
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Document
In this final part of the tutorial, we will explain how a calculation note can be drawn up.
1.
Double-click
Document appears.
The Project data are automatically displayed in the header of the document.
2.
Click the [New] button below the Document Menu. The window New Document item
appears.
3.
4.
Click [Close] to close the New document item window and to return to the document.
The items that were added to the document are displayed in the Document Menu. Drag the items with
the mouse to change their order. At the right-hand side of the screen, the Preview of the document is
displayed.
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Displaying results in the document
1.
In the Document menu, click Reactions. In the Properties window the properties of this
table are displayed. The parameters for displaying the results in the Document are configured
in the same way as the parameters for viewing the results in the Results Menu.
The Selection field is set to All.
The Load type is set to Combinations and the Combination to CO1.
The Values are wanted for Rz.
The Extreme field is changed to Global.
2.
Click the
options.
button behind Refresh to display the table in accordance with the set
Click the [Close] button below the Document Menu to close the document and to return to the
structure.
1.
2.
Choose the Picture to document option in the list box to send the image, which is currently
displayed in the graphical screen, to the document.
The window Insert item(s) into document appears.
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3.
The Percentage of page height field is changed to 50 so that the image covers 50% of a page,
i.e. half a page.
4.
Confirm your input with [OK] so that the image is sent to the document.
5.
Click
6.
In the Document Menu, click Picture. The image is displayed in the Preview of the
Document.
7.
Click [Close] below the Document Menu to close the document and to return to the structure.
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Postface
In this syllabus, the basic functionalities of Scia Engineer for the input of a steel structure,
including the steel calculation, were introduced by means of an example.
After reading the text and executing the example, the user should be able to model and
calculate simple structures consisting of steel bars.
For more detailed information about steel calculations, we refer to the Advanced Training
Steel.
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