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 Contents
1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 7
1.1 Background ....................................................................................................................................................................... 9
1.2 Important Notes Regarding This Documentation ........................................................................................................... 10
1.3 Overview of the User Interface ....................................................................................................................................... 11
1.4 Orion Modelling, Analysis & Design Flowchart ............................................................................................................... 12
1.5 Graphic Editor - General Principles ................................................................................................................................. 13
1.5.1 Selecting single and / or multiple members ................................................................................................................ 13
1.5.2 Update - Editing a member .......................................................................................................................................... 14
1.5.3 Deletion – Single / Multiple members ......................................................................................................................... 14
1.5.4 Deletion – Selective deletion from a group of members ............................................................................................. 15
1.5.5 Object Snapping (Osnaps) ............................................................................................................................................ 15
1.5.6 Basic View/Zoom functions .......................................................................................................................................... 16
2.0 Building the Model ................................................................................................................. 17
2.1 Getting Started – Project Parameters & Settings ........................................................................................................... 19
2.1.1 Exercise aims ................................................................................................................................................................ 19
2.1.2 Launching Orion ........................................................................................................................................................... 19
2.1.3 Creating a New Project ................................................................................................................................................ 20
2.1.4 Settings Centre ............................................................................................................................................................. 20
2.1.5 Drawing Sheet Selection .............................................................................................................................................. 21
2.1.6 Inserting Storey Height ................................................................................................................................................ 22
2.2 Creating Axes .................................................................................................................................................................. 23
2.2.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 23
2.2.2 Establishing Axis Directions and Labels ........................................................................................................................ 23
2.2.3 Osnap methods ............................................................................................................................................................ 25
2.2.4 Pick methods ................................................................................................................................................................ 25
2.2.5 Editing Axes .................................................................................................................................................................. 25
2.2.6 Selecting/Stretching Multiple Axes .............................................................................................................................. 27
2.2.7 Creating Axes Individually ............................................................................................................................................ 28
2.3 Creating Columns ............................................................................................................................................................ 29
2.3.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 29
2.3.2 The Properties and Options with Columns .................................................................................................................. 29
2.3.3 Creating Rectangular Columns ..................................................................................................................................... 32
2.3.4 Inserting Multiple Columns .......................................................................................................................................... 34
2.3.5 Creating Circular Columns ........................................................................................................................................... 38
2.3.6 Using the Polyline Column Editor................................................................................................................................. 38
2.4 Creating Shear Walls ....................................................................................................................................................... 40
2.4.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 40
2.4.2 Overview of Options .................................................................................................................................................... 40
2.4.3 Creating a Core Wall .................................................................................................................................................... 42
2.5 Creating Beams ............................................................................................................................................................... 43
2.5.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 43
2.5.2 Creating Multiple Rectangular Beams.......................................................................................................................... 43
2.5.3 Inserting the rest of the 1st Storey Beams ................................................................................................................... 47
2.6 Creating Slabs ................................................................................................................................................................. 49
2.6.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 49
2.6.2 Creating 2 Way Spanning Slabs .................................................................................................................................... 49
2.6.3 Setting Slab Types Automatically ................................................................................................................................. 53

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2.6.4 Creating Cantilever Slabs ............................................................................................................................................. 54
2.6.5 Additional Slab Information ......................................................................................................................................... 56
2.7 Member Re-Labelling ..................................................................................................................................................... 57
2.7.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 57
2.7.2 Changing the member labels ....................................................................................................................................... 57
2.8 Using Tables to Edit Multiple Members ......................................................................................................................... 58
2.8.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 58
2.8.2 Changing Properties of Multiple Members ................................................................................................................. 58
2.8.3 Changing Properties of One Member in the table only ............................................................................................... 59
2.9 Wall Loads and Additional Beam Loads .......................................................................................................................... 60
2.9.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 60
2.9.2 Apply Beam Wall Loads................................................................................................................................................ 60
2.9.3 Apply Additional Beam Loads ...................................................................................................................................... 62
2.10 Generating a 3D View of the Model and Creating Additional Storeys ........................................................................... 65
2.10.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 65
2.10.2 Generating/Manipulating a 3D View ........................................................................................................................... 65
2.10.3 Inserting Additional Floors ........................................................................................................................................... 67
2.10.4 Copying Floor Data to Other Floors ............................................................................................................................. 68
2.10.5 Moving between Storeys ............................................................................................................................................. 68
2.10.6 Editing the Roof ........................................................................................................................................................... 69
2.10.7 Editing the Storey Height ............................................................................................................................................. 69
2.10.8 Specifying Imposed Load Reductions for Each Floor ................................................................................................... 70
3.0 Analysing the Structure ...........................................................................................................71
3.1 Pre-Analysis .................................................................................................................................................................... 73
3.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 73
3.1.2 Pre-Analysis Tab - Parameters, Loading and Materials ............................................................................................... 73
3.1.3 Model Options Tab – Model Analysis Settings ............................................................................................................ 80
3.2 Performing the Analysis .................................................................................................................................................. 82
3.2.1 Checking the notional lateral loads ............................................................................................................................. 84
3.3 Post-Analysis ................................................................................................................................................................... 86
3.3.1 Cross Checking the Analysis Result .............................................................................................................................. 86
3.3.2 Model and Analysis Results Display ............................................................................................................................. 88
3.3.3 Analysis Output Reports (for information only) .......................................................................................................... 92
4.0 Beam Reinforcement ..............................................................................................................97
4.1 Beam Reinforcement Design .......................................................................................................................................... 99
4.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 99
4.1.2 Beam Design Settings and Parameters ........................................................................................................................ 99
4.2 Designing all Beams using Batch Mode .......................................................................................................................... 99
4.2.1 Graphical Review of Passing / Failing Members ........................................................................................................ 101
4.3 Interactive Beam Design ............................................................................................................................................... 102
4.3.1 Utilisation Ratios ........................................................................................................................................................ 102
4.3.2 The Axis and Beam Information Editor ...................................................................................................................... 103
4.3.3 The Reinforcement Data Screen ................................................................................................................................ 104
4.3.4 Beam Detail Drawings ................................................................................................................................................ 104
4.3.5 Standard Bar Patterns ................................................................................................................................................ 105
4.3.6 Modifying the Number and Size of Bars .................................................................................................................... 106
4.3.7 Bar Layers................................................................................................................................................................... 106
4.3.8 Modifying bar curtailment ......................................................................................................................................... 108
4.3.9 Beam Loading and Force Diagrams ............................................................................................................................ 108
4.4 Creating the Beam Elevation Drawings ........................................................................................................................ 110

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4.4.1 Putting All Beams onto a Single Sheet Automatically ................................................................................................ 110
5.0 Column and Wall Reinforcement........................................................................................... 111
5.1 Column &b Wall Reinforcement Design ....................................................................................................................... 113
5.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 113
5.1.2 Column Design Settings and Parameters ................................................................................................................... 113
5.2 Designing all Columns using Batch Mode ..................................................................................................................... 113
5.2.1 Creating a Column Schedule ...................................................................................................................................... 115
5.2.2 Creating a Column Output Report ............................................................................................................................. 116
5.2.3 Creating a Foundation Loads Report .......................................................................................................................... 118
5.3 Interactive Column Design ............................................................................................................................................ 119
5.3.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 119
5.3.2 Understanding the Column Design Editor.................................................................................................................. 119
5.3.3 Designing Rectangular Column .................................................................................................................................. 121
5.3.4 Column Slenderness ................................................................................................................................................... 123
5.3.5 Column Interaction Diagrams .................................................................................................................................... 124
5.3.6 Fixing the Bar Layout .................................................................................................................................................. 125
5.3.7 Link Arrangement ....................................................................................................................................................... 126
5.3.8 Shear Design............................................................................................................................................................... 127
5.3.9 Biaxial bending vs. BS 8.1.1.0-Cl 3.8.4.5 design ......................................................................................................... 127
5.4 Designing a Wall............................................................................................................................................................ 128
6.0 Slab Design ........................................................................................................................... 133
6.1 Slab Design and Detailing.............................................................................................................................................. 135
6.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 135
6.1.2 Slab Design Settings ................................................................................................................................................... 135
6.1.3 Member and Steel Bar Label Templates (Additional Info. Only)................................................................................ 136
6.2 Create Slab Reinforcement Strips ................................................................................................................................. 137
6.2.1 Filtering the Display of Slab Reinforcement (for information only) ........................................................................... 139
6.3 Editing the Bar Layout .................................................................................................................................................... 139
6.4 Creating Slab Output..................................................................................................................................................... 141
6.4.1 Output for an Individual Slab Strip ............................................................................................................................. 141
6.4.2 Creating a Slab Output Report for the Entire Floor.................................................................................................... 141
6.4.3 Table of Quantities ..................................................................................................................................................... 142
7.0 Flat Slabs .............................................................................................................................. 143
7.1 Flat slabs ....................................................................................................................................................................... 145
7.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 145
7.2 Creating the Flat Slabs in the Model ............................................................................................................................. 145
7.2.1 Inserting the Slabs ...................................................................................................................................................... 146
7.3 Creating Slab Loads and Openings ................................................................................................................................ 148
7.3.1 Slab Loads................................................................................................................................................................... 148
7.3.2 Slab Openings ............................................................................................................................................................. 150
7.4 Creating Additional Storeys .......................................................................................................................................... 151
7.4.1 Storey Information ..................................................................................................................................................... 151
8.0 Building Analysis for Flat Slab ............................................................................................... 153
8.1 Building Analysis for Flat Slabs ...................................................................................................................................... 155
8.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 155
8.1.2 Model Options Settings .............................................................................................................................................. 155
8.1.3 Pre-Analysis – Building Model Check ......................................................................................................................... 156
8.2 Performing the Analysis ................................................................................................................................................ 157

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8.2.1 Building Analysis ........................................................................................................................................................ 157
8.2.2 Checking the notional horizontal forces .................................................................................................................... 158
8.3 Post-Analysis ................................................................................................................................................................. 159
8.3.1 Cross Checking the Analysis Result ............................................................................................................................ 159
8.3.2 Model and Analysis Results Display ........................................................................................................................... 160
9.0 Load Chase Down.................................................................................................................. 163
9.1 Gravity Load Chase Down Using FE Analysis ................................................................................................................ 165
9.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 165
9.1.2 Finite Element Model Generation Options ................................................................................................................ 165
9.2 Generating/Performing the FE Analysis Model ............................................................................................................ 169
9.2.1 Creating the FE mesh for Analysis.............................................................................................................................. 169
9.2.2 Performing the Batch FE Load Chase Down............................................................................................................... 171
9.3 Cross checking the Finite Element Results ................................................................................................................... 175
10.0 Flat Slab ................................................................................................................................ 177
10.1 Designing the Flat Slab ................................................................................................................................................. 179
10.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 179
10.1.2 Finite Element – Post Processing Settings ................................................................................................................. 179
10.2 Floor Analysis Post Processing ...................................................................................................................................... 180
10.2.1 Deflection Plots .......................................................................................................................................................... 180
10.2.2 Loading and Effects Toolbars ..................................................................................................................................... 181
10.2.3 Loading and Effects .................................................................................................................................................... 182
10.2.4 Setting the Concrete Effective Depth ........................................................................................................................ 184
10.2.5 Bottom Steel Reinforcement Provision ..................................................................................................................... 185
10.2.6 Creating the User Defined Contours (bottom steel) .................................................................................................. 186
10.2.7 Creating the User Defined Contours (top steel) ........................................................................................................ 187
10.3 Exporting and Displaying Contours ............................................................................................................................... 189
10.4 Exporting to DXF (for information) ............................................................................................................................... 190
10.5 Designing the Columns/Walls ....................................................................................................................................... 191
11.0 Appendix A ........................................................................................................................... 193
11.1 Wind Loads ................................................................................................................................................................... 195
11.1.1 Specifying Wind Combinations .................................................................................................................................. 195
11.1.2 Applying a Single Wind Load to Each Floor ................................................................................................................ 196
11.1.3 Applying Wind Loads directly to Columns & Walls .................................................................................................... 200
12.0 Appendix B ........................................................................................................................... 203
12.1 Beam Design Settings and Detailing ............................................................................................................................. 205
12.1.1 The Design Tab ........................................................................................................................................................... 205
12.1.2 The Parameters Tab ................................................................................................................................................... 206
12.1.3 The Bar Selection Tab ................................................................................................................................................ 206
12.1.4 The Curtailment Tab .................................................................................................................................................. 208
12.1.5 The Detailing Tab ....................................................................................................................................................... 209
12.1.6 The Layers Tab ........................................................................................................................................................... 210
12.1.7 Manually Creating Drawing Sheets ............................................................................................................................ 210
13.0 Appendix C ........................................................................................................................... 213
13.1 Column Design Settings and Detailing .......................................................................................................................... 215
13.1.1 The Design Tab ........................................................................................................................................................... 215
13.1.2 The Steel Bars Tab ...................................................................................................................................................... 216
13.1.3 The Detail Drawings Tab ............................................................................................................................................ 219
13.1.4 To Rationalise the Steel Bars in Individual Columns .................................................................................................. 221

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13.2 To Rationalise the Steel Bars in Multiple Columns ....................................................................................................... 222
13.3 Creating the Column Detail Drawings ........................................................................................................................... 223
14.0 Appendix D ........................................................................................................................... 227
14.1 Foundation Design ........................................................................................................................................................ 229
14.1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................... 229
14.1.2 Foundation Design Settings ....................................................................................................................................... 229
14.1.3 Choice of Loading Method ......................................................................................................................................... 230
14.2 Pad Footings.................................................................................................................................................................. 230
14.2.1 Pad footing design...................................................................................................................................................... 230
14.2.2 Pad Footing Details .................................................................................................................................................... 233
14.3 Strip Footings ................................................................................................................................................................ 235
14.3.1 Strip Footing Design ................................................................................................................................................... 235
14.3.2 Designing the Foundation Beam ................................................................................................................................ 238
14.4 Raft Foundation Design ................................................................................................................................................ 240
15.0 Appendix E ........................................................................................................................... 243
15.1 Load Combinations and the Loading Generator ........................................................................................................... 245
15.1.1 The Loading Generator .............................................................................................................................................. 245
16.0 Appendix F ........................................................................................................................... 251
16.1 Report Manager ............................................................................................................................................................ 253
16.1.1 Concrete and Form Estimation Reports ..................................................................................................................... 253
16.1.2 Report Manager ......................................................................................................................................................... 254
17.0 Appendix G ........................................................................................................................... 255
17.1 Polyline Column Editor ................................................................................................................................................. 257
17.1.1 Creating an L-shaped column. .................................................................................................................................... 257
18.0 Appendix H ........................................................................................................................... 261
18.1 Slab Design using FE Analysis ........................................................................................................................................ 263
18.1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................... 263
18.1.2 Creating FE Slab Strips ................................................................................................................................................ 263
18.1.3 Finite Element Model Generation .............................................................................................................................. 265
18.1.4 FE Analysis Post Processing ........................................................................................................................................ 266
18.1.5 Updating the FE Strips with Reinforcement ............................................................................................................... 269
19.0 Appendix I ............................................................................................................................ 271
19.1 Enhancing the General Arrangement Drawings ........................................................................................................... 273
19.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 273
19.1.2 Dimensioning the Grid Spacing .................................................................................................................................. 273
19.1.3 Dimensioning up the Cantilever Slabs........................................................................................................................ 276
19.1.4 Shrinking Axes and Setting Unused Axes to Ghost .................................................................................................... 277
19.1.5 Creating Slab Section Views ....................................................................................................................................... 278
20.0 Appendix J ............................................................................................................................ 281
20.1 Orion Data File Structure and Project Settings ............................................................................................................. 283
20.1.1 Project Settings .......................................................................................................................................................... 284

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Introduction
Background

1.0 Introduction

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Introduction
Background

1.1 Background
Orion is developed for the analysis, design and drafting of Concrete Building Stuctures. Unlike general purpose structural
analysis programs, Orion is concentrated on accurate analysis, fast data preparation, automated reinforced concrete design
and automated preparation of engineering drawings and details.
Building systems have the following common structural features:

Geometry of a building system generally formed principly by horizontal beams and vertical columns.
Most of the time, the column and beam elements have similar cross-sections so that standard section types can be formed.
The in-plane stiffness of the floor slabs is considered to be high, forming rigid diaphragms at each floor level.
Applied loads are either in vertical (dead and imposed loads) or horizontal (wind, soil pressure or earthquake) directions.
There will often be repetition (in whole or in part) of floor layouts from one level to the next.

General arrangement drawings (GA’s) are somewhat stylised, but given the constrained area of application outlined above,
the system allows the model to be described by the development of GA drawings at each floor level. Even that process is
further simplified since beams etc are dealt with as coherant objects, not just lines. The more simplistic centre line analysis
model is automatically created in background at the same time. For example, in reality, 300 wide beams and 400 square
columns along an external elevation may be arranged with the outside faces flush which would mean that their true centre
lines are not aligned. It would be common practice to ignore this degree of mis-alignment for analysis purposes. Orion will
not un-necessarily complicate the analysis model.
In addition – different preferences can be held and automatically used for analysis and design purposes. For example, beam
flanges can be ignored in the analysis but then utilised for reinforcement design (sagging moments only) without any re-
modelling.
In summary, an Orion model allows you to
 Create GA drawings
 Design the Floor Slabs, and de-compose floor loads onto beams.
 Analyse the building frame
 Design continuous beams, columns. walls, and foundations (pad, strip and raft)
 Automatically generate RC detail drawings.

Note that analysis and design results are represented so that the reports look like a "Building Output" by classifying the
members as columns, walls, slabs and beams with the same notations used in the floor plans.

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