Import column locations from DXF file into ETABS

Bigbeam (Structural) 22 Jun 08
10:49
I am trying to import my column locations from a dxf file but can't seem to get it to work. There was
mention about creating the columns as blocks in autocad but I can't get that to work. I cant even get
the pull down box in the import dxf to pick the layer that I have the columns on Ii would have thought
columns would be points).
To bad there isn't an option to just get the entities into etabs and let the user do the actual
assignments.
What am I doing wrong?
K
slickdeals (Structural) 22 Jun 08
20:59
There are 2 ways to do it. One is the fancy way using blocks, the other is plain and simple way.
1. If you are using blocks, you need to draw a closed shape, I usually use a circle and define that as a
new block. Add a new layer and then define all the columns defined as blocks in that layer. Save it as a
dxf and when you import it, select that particular layer in the columns drop down box. It usually works
95% of the time.
2. The less fancy and error-free way to do it is to draw an "X" or a "+". Draw lines and not polylines.
Once this is done for all columns, save and export as a dxf. Import the columns as beams. Once you do
this, you get an "X" or "+" at each column location. Then all you have to do is to click at the
intersections and you have your column layout. You can later delete the "X" and "+".
HTH

20:09
I couldn't get the block method to work (I have no idead why they wouldn't do it with point objects as
this is the way safe does it.
Next question is how do you import walls? I can't seem to find any way to easily convert a beam to a
wall in etabs.
-k-
22:20
No way to automatically do it. You have to bring them in as beams and then draw wall elements
connecting the ends in plan.
drile007 (Structural) 24 Jun 08
2:49
You can import walls through dxf with 3D polyline or 3Dface. I prefer 3D polyline.
15:36
drile007
I can get a beam in but not a wall. How did you convert a beam to a wall? As slickdeals said, you have
to do that manually.
-k-
drile007 (Structural) 25 Jun 08
9:42
I didn't convert beam to a wall, I've drawn the walls in Acad with entities like 3dFace or polyline. Then I
import dxf file into Etabs.
drp181 (Structural) 29 Jul 08
3:44
You can import lines as beams, then convert the beams to walls using the "Extrude Lines to Areas"
command. Set the delta z to the story height. This can be done for all walls at once, and would seem
to be simpler than drawing 3D shapes in CAD.
zstone (Structural) 19 Jun 08

12:44
which is best way?
In some training manuals of CSI,and video tutorials, shear walls are not meshed.
Complet shear wall in one story is included as one finite element, this reason is for design of shear wall
procedure or fore anyother reason, i dont know
i thing that to meshing shear waall is best way, because results will bee more logic and more realistic
than in other case(unmeshed shear wall),
sorry for my english
best regards

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jugurtha12 (Civil/Environme) 28 Jun 08
4:35
I THINK THAT WE CAN NOT MESH A SHEAR WALL BECAUSE IT IS A STRUCTURAL ELEMENT BUT WE
CAN MESH IT ONLY WHEN THERE IS AN OPENING IN THE WALL
SORY FOR MY INGLISH
8:53
Any unmeshed shell element has an artificially high stiffness. It is recommended that you mesh your
walls especially if you are designing tall buildings because there will be more flexibility.
You can internally mesh a wall element.

sreichwein (Structural) 25 Jul 08
20:22
Meshing a shear wall is much more accurate to the actual behavior. However, complex shear walls in
ETABS are extremely tricky to mesh. I usually assign automesh to each wall pier and assign a
maximum mesh size equal to 24". The tricky part is getting the mesh to work. You must make sure
that all meshed shell element boundaries are attached to an adjacent shell element. If not, you will get
errors in the analysis or the model will not run at all. Practice makes perfect, so I recommend playing
around with it until you get it down. If you need more information, let me know.
alexbzeta (Structural) 30 Jun 08

10:26
I am trying to track story shear for individual frames for a steel braced frame system. I tried using pier
labels, but ETABS only allows labels to be assigned to vertical frame members or area elements (works
great for moment frames and concrete shear walls). The only other option I see is to define section
cuts. This is a pain because I have to define all of the groups and then all of the section cuts - all with
unique names.
Anyone have any better suggestions?

stressed (Civil/Environme) 4 Jul 08
15:29
I think you're right about the section cuts. That's the only way I can think of either.
20:16
The shear and axial diagrams are also useful. I've done it both ways and would also love to know if
there is an easier way.
Skicat (Structural) 7 May 08

12:39
I am a new ETABS user and I recently attended an ADAPT seminar talking about the integration of
ETABS and ADAPT floor pro. I know ETABS doesn't do PT. We use ADAPT floor & PT8 for our slab &
beam design. We don't use ETABS to design concrete floors or beams. We only use it for gravity and
lateral analysis of the concrete frame. We do very little steel design compared to concrete, so I guess it
is more suited for steel design than concrete. I was just curious what others are using it for and if I can
get more out of ETABS than I currently am. Thank you.
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TtheD (Structural) 8 May 08
15:47
We use ETABS primarily for concrete shearwall design. It gives the boundary zone lengths in the
output.
masomenos (Civil/Environme) 28 Jun 08
19:43
steel and concrete blgs, parking garages and small stuff too like trusses and single column and beam
designs. If you already have ETABS and are using it for concrete, you can use ETABS column and shear
wall design even if you're using Adapt for the slabs. Just keep in mind that ETABS is a general purpose
structural analysis and design package with frame and shell/membrane finite elements, albeit with
features oriented toward design of bldg structures (story concept). I heard that ETABS was used on the
Boston tunnel big dig design, so it's versatile if you know the modeling techniques.
20:14
Generally, we just use ETABS for the analysis of concrete shear walls and concrete moment
frames. Once we are able to limit the drift, we can output the forces from ETABS into a spreadsheet for
design. We design the piers of the shears walls for flexure and axial loads using PCA Column. We
design the moment frames using PCA Slab. For the gravity design of the concrete floor system, we use
RAM Advanse and SAFE. ETABS is also very useful in designing complex steel braced frame and
moment frame lateral systems. It is especially useful in seismic applications. However, RAM is more
suitable for the gravity design of steel floor systems, in my opinion. Often we have two models; a RAM
gravity model and an ETABS lateral model.
zstone (Structural) 4 Jul 08
17:29
I like do perform an Response Spectrum Analysis on Etabs,
I have define a Design Spectrum By EC8 - import from file case,
and i have set a scale factor value equal to 1.0,
im i correct, because the Spectrum is defined to be Design , and is input in manual way in Etabs,
I dont like to perform automatic Seismic Case, because is not includet as well in Etabs(by EC8) - I
THINK SO
can anybody help me
regards

20:06
Some seismic codes require the base shear of the modal analysis to be within a certain percentage of
the code calculated base shear. This value is 80% in ASCE 7-05. The scale factor is used to scale the
calculated ETABS base shear value to at least 80% of the code value.
Jordan2008 (Structural) 7 Jul 08 6:11

Etabs gives quite large moment and shear at the bottom of the shear wall (bottom of the pier). As a
result reinforcements are large. at the top of the pier 3m above results are reasonable. What value I
used top or bottom of the pier.
slickdeals (Structural) 11 Jul 08
17:23
Bottom of the pier. Because the top of the pier is equal to the bottom of the pier above. The forces at
the floor level are captured at the bottom of the pier.
19:58
Design the piers as you would a concrete column. The largest moment is going to govern, which
appears at the bottom of the pier.
rejoicer (Civil/Environme) 22 Jul 08

12:18
According to 10.11.1 of ACI318-05, concrete shear wall should use 0.70Ig in the model. How to
consider 70% reduction in Etabs? Reduce modulus of elasticity to 70% or set stiffness modifiers to 0.7.
Thanks.
structuresguy (Structural) 22 Jul 08
13:22
Set stiffness modifier to the appropriate amount, 0.7 in your case for walls, unless they are cracked,
then it would be 0.35 for walls.
14:42
The best way is to use stiffness modifiers
Use f11,f22 and f12 on walls

use m11,m22 and m12 on slabs
19:53
I set the modifier for f22 equal to 0.70 when modeling the cracks of a shear wall. For framing elements
(like coupling beams and moment frames), I set I33 equal to 0.35 to model the cracking.

19:43
Hi Everybody
I have four Story building,
Flat slab with perimeter beams,
loads>
Dead - self weight of structure
Live - 3 kN/m2
When i convert loads to masses, i use 2 and 3 options
2. From Loads
Dead - 1, and Live - 0.5
3. From self and specified mass and loads
Live - 0.5
and booth cases give me diferent results,
I cant UNDERSTAND THAT
zstone
21:33
I am surprised that this is happening. I have tried that before never had a problem. Did you report it to
tech support?
6:34
In fact the diference is small.
From case 2. (From Loads

Dead - 1, and Live - 0.5) i occur period T1=0.738 sec
From case 3. (From self and specified mass and loads
Live - 0.5) - i occur period T1=0.742 sec
I want just to be sure, about cases 2 and 3
which is prefered way to convert loads to mass 2 or 3,
because im new user in ETABS, i have make it before with other softwares, and i never havent
problems. But in Etabs i like to find most prefered way
zstone

8:43
I don't think there is a preferred way. I would use option 2 if you don't have any additional masses
(point or area) specified. And 99.6% (0.738/0.742) is close enough for any engineering we do.
HTH

18:21
Hi Everybody
Im new in Etabs,
I'd like to define a linear release on edge of slab, for example: conection of slab with wall to be pinned,
not fixed,
With Robot Millennium this is posible and very easy,
is this posible in Etabs or SAP
regards
15:27
Why not define the wall using membrane type area? That's easy enough, and it gives you the pinned
connection at the slabs.
17:19
thanks stressed for help
you idea is correct
i dont know what will hapen with bending moments in slab,(moment values in case of pinned edge -
and moment values in case of wall modeled as membrane - dhe values o bending moments in slab
must be same in to cases of modeling)
i will try it
jugurtha12 (Civil/Environme) 5 Jul 08 8:52
I do it with sap and i think that is very easy with sap we select the area element then we right clik then
we dot it with joint offset overwrite
sory for my english
drile007 (Structural) 16 Jul 08
13:17
Quote (stressed):
Why not define the wall using membrane type area?
OK, but when try to do a dynamic (response spectra) analyisis walls defines as membrane type will
vibrate perpendicular to their own plane! First dozen mode shapes will be just described shapes and we
don't want that! Can we prevent this effect?

22:26
Since it now appears both zstone AND drile007 are experiencing a near identical predicament, I'll offer
my $0.02. As with any problems you experience with a structural software package, if you're getting
strange results, then don't be shy about getting creative and experimenting with some alternatives, for
example 1)define or assign property modifiers to a shell type wall bending properties such that it acts
like a membrane to give you the desired pin connetion 2) mesh the wall and assign only a small bottom
sliver of the wall connecting to the slab to be membrane with the rest of the wall assigned as shell type
3) if #1 and #2 don't result in suitable results for both static and dynamic analysis, then create one
model for static analysis and another model for dynamic analysis 4) If #'s 1, 2, or 3 don't work, then
drink a bottle of Jack Daniels, put the gun barrel in your mouth and, oh wait....just teasing
zstone/drile007, let us know what you find. I'd be curious to learn for myself from your experience.
Good luck.
3:33
Quote (stressed):
1)define or assign property modifiers to a shell type wall bending properties such that it acts
like a membrane to give you the desired pin connetion
I already tryed this and I got the same results as I described in my previous post.
Quote (stressed):
2) mesh the wall and assign only a small bottom sliver of the wall connecting to the slab to be
membrane with the rest of the wall assigned as shell type
I think that this kind of assignements doesn't describe real behaviour of the wall state.
civilhak (Structural) 17 Jul 08
5:31
Hi people,
should this not work if you define walls as shell elements and plates as membrane elements????
11:28
drile, by releasing moments at the wall/slab intersection, the physics of the problem would seem to
dictate a (possibly significant) change in the dynamic modal results, whether or not you model with
frame elements or shell/membrane elements. Could you explain what results specifically that you are
concerned with that is causing you problems?
15:37
What happened if you define walls as membrane type:
Such (membrane) elements don't have any stiffness perpendicular to their own plane, or with the other
words; they can't "possess" any moments because their inertia moment is zero. Furthermore, they can't
"resist" to any force perpendicular to their own plane.
And what happened in dynamic analysis? When we mesh the wall we automatically add mass at each
wall node. When we add horizontal accelerations (response spectra) we got horizontal forces
perpendicular to walls in each node (mass x acceleration = force). Since wall is very soft to forces
perpendicular to their own plane, we got huge displacement (mode shapes) perpendicular to their own
plane.
I hope that I didn't miss the point and I use the right words since my mother language isn't English.
To avoid this problem I do what civilhak suggest, I define walls as shell elements and plates as
membrane elements!
MOHAMMEDIDREES (Structural) 22 Jan 08
2:25
When we perform dynamic analysis in the out put of building modes we have Modal Participation
factors and Modal Participating mass ratios what are thsese and where do we use them in our calcs
drile007 (Structural) 22 Jan 08
9:52
In short: Modal Participation factor means what percent of defined mass is vibrating in particular mode
shape.
Drile007
Diquan (Civil/Environme) 1 Mar 08
8:20
be carefull if you're not familiar with "Dynamics of structures". I recomend reading books from Clough,
Penzien, Chopra, Paulay and Priestley, they have really good books to introduce you into dynamics of
the structures
sorry for my english
Diquan
Whiffle (Structural) 19 Mar 08
14:18
You should really understand what you are doing before you just "jump" into dynamic analysis in ETABS
(or any program). Dynamics of Structures by Chopra is a very good textbook with good examples. He
goes through a Response Spectrum Analysis and a Response History Analysis and explains the steps
very clearly.
civilhak (Structural) 17 Jul 08
5:47
Hi,
Modal Participating mass ratios indicates how much mass is activated in your modes...according to EC8
this value should be atleast close to 90%...if you are undir this value, you should run more modes undir
til you reach this value.
Lets say your MPMS is 60%, then your resulting forces are to low, if you increase the number of modes
then the resulting forces increase...this 90% is a good indicator in showing that you are running enough
numer of modes.
Diquan (Civil/Environme) 17 Jul 08
7:24
Correct.
Most of the programs of analisys reach 100% very easy, because is something of equations and the
response spectrum it's using.
The number of modes are very easy to obtain, in a building each floor have 3 DOF (degrees of
freedom), 2 displacements 1 rotasional, so let's say a usual building of 8 floors or storys is going to
have 24 DOF that is 8 floors * 3 DOF = 24 DOF
Again, sorry for my english, i speak spanish.
Diquan
radger49 (Structural) 19 Jun 08
22:26
How do we know that the concrete column, beam, shearwall passed after running the concrete design?
I have no problems with steel design because there is option to verify if the structure passed the
design, unlike the concrete structure it has no option for that, thanks!
TtheD (Structural) 24 Jun 08
16:53
The easiest way I have found to check if Concrete shearwalls fail (rather than right-clicking on each one
individually) is to do to File>Print Tables. Print the output summary of the shearwall design table, and it
will tell if each pier fails in shear or flexure.
For concrete beams and columns just look for the red ones. You can change the utilization limit at
which they turn red (0.95 is default) by going to Options>preferences>Concrete frame design.
lebanque66 (Structural) 5 Jun 08

21:15
I am new in using etabs to analyse the rc building frame. I find the software very user friendly.
However when it comes to steel trusses (gable type), I am bit confused as to how to model it and load
it (i.e, windload).
Hope you can give me advise or specific examples with regards to this matter.
stressed (Civil/Environme) 7 Jun 08
19:02
You may have to add intermediate gridlines between stories using reference planes: Edit>Reference
planes. Draw point objects at end point locations of your truss and "connect the dots" to draw your
truss, including sloped top chords. Activate your 'snap to perpendicular' snap tool to help draw vertical
truss web members connecting to the chords. You don't have to divide your chords into smaller sections
to do this
Vonx (Structural) 31 Jan 08

15:59
Hi all, I've got a question about the base shear. After you do the response spectrum analysis in Etabs,
how do you find the total base shear of the structure(multi-storey building to be more specific)? This is
to work out the scaling factor. I was told that you can look at the "Story force" section of the 1st storey
of the structure in the output report. Is that correct?
stressed (Civil/Environme) 2 Feb 08
13:17
No, that's not correct. Under Display menu>show tables, checkbox reactions/support reaction. There is
a "summation" base shear reported along with individual restraint reactions. You can control which
cases are to be reported using the options on the right side of the show tables.
drile007 (Structural) 2 Feb 08
16:59
You can get Story shears:
1) Display/ Show Story Response Plots.../ Story Shears
2) Display/ Show Tables.../ Building Output/ Story Shears
Drile007
Vonx (Structural) 8 Feb 08
15:07
Thanks guys, that helped.
Vonx (Structural) 12 Feb 08
16:09
Hi stressed:
I was able to do the show table thing, thanks for that. However, I could not find the "summation"
function mentioned in your last post. I had to manually add all the reaction forces together under same
direction to find out the base shear. Would you please give some instructions on this one?
20:04
Vonx, apologies, I was mistaken in my earlier reply regarding what the "summation" option offers you. I
have been working more with SAP lately and I gave you some misleading advice. Here is what you need
to do to obtain the summed base shear that you want - First, select all joint restraints at the base of
your model, as well as the first floor columns and walls which are connected to those restraints, and
assign them all to a group. Next, use Define menu>Section cuts and define a section cut based on the
group you just created. After you've run your analysis, using Display menu>Show tables>Section cut
forces, you should have the summed base shears. Let me know if that technique doesn't do what you're
looking for.
Vonx (Structural) 18 Mar 08
17:07
Hi to stressed/drile007:
Thanks for the replies. I have done a comparison using both the story shear method and the section cut
forces summation method to calculate the base shear. In my case, the values are very close:
Vx (story force) : Vx (section cut) = 1 : 1.03

Vy (story force): Vy (section cut) = 1: 0.98
As you can see, the differences are within 5%. I tend to believe both methods are valid in terms of
calculating the base shear using Etabs. Please give your comments.
GarthW (Structural) 26 Mar 08
15:29
Vonx
You should have a look at Display -> Show Tables -> Modal Information -> Table: Response Spectrum
Base Reactions. They h
ave had to introduce a special routine to determine base reactions since all results from Response
Analysis are positive. Summing base reactions or column shears would be wrong.
GarthW
Skicat (Structural) 24 Mar 08
11:58
Does anybody have much experience importing revit files into etabs and exporting etabs files to
revit? It's not as intuitive as I thought it would be. Also, any opinions about Revit Structure in
general? Thank you.
prsconsultant (Structural) 25 Mar 08
5:25
We have been using REVIT as a tool to convert RAM files to ETABS. It has been working fine. We have
no major issues converting back and forth between ETABS & REVIT.
I have heard that RISA is more compatible with REVIT than any other software.
Vonx (Structural) 2 Mar 08

16:53
Hi guys, when I draw a diagnal member such as a bracer or a long cord in a truss in Etabs, very so
often it goes through more than one storey levels defined. The annoying thing about it is Etabs
sometimes (not always) automatically divides the line at the storey levels. It causes troubles, for
example, when I try to sub-divide this line into segements. I tried to use the "Join Lines" function and it
did not work. All the "Splice Point" in the Story Data were turned off. Is there any way to avoid this
automatic line divide? Thanks in advance.
slickdeals (Structural) 3 Mar 08
20:54
No, ETABS is a building analysis program where stories are pivotal to design. It will break any line that
is a story. If you want to get around it, define reference planes instead.
alexbzeta (Structural) 21 Mar 08
19:00
I think there is more to this. I have also had columns and braces that span stories. Sometimes they
break and sometime they don't. I'd like to know why.
19:04
They will always break at stories
aquacata (Structural) 7 Mar 08

11:37
After I ran my ETABS building model, I got a warning message of zero stiffness at a joint. Also it
specified my model is unstable and ill-conditioned. In your experience, could you tell what is the most
possible reason for that?
I suspect that my ramp area is not connected to its edge beams. I did select the ramp object and one
of its sloped edge beam and meshed the ramp area. But I couldn't tell if it is meshed or not. Do you
know a way?
Ramp cannot be assigned to a diaphragm. How can I trick it into a ridig diaphragm?
Thanks a lot for your help!
9:27
Any sloped member in ETABS can never be assigned to a diaphragm. For a diaphragm to be assigned,
the member has to be in a horizontal plane. What kind of elements have you assigned to the ramp?
(shell, membrane?).
The way to see your final mesh is to go to set building view options and select "show mesh". This will
show you the mesh and associated nodal connectivity. Do you have a curved ramp by any chance?
More info would help.

12:15
Thank you, slickdeals! In your way, I saw my ramp is not meshed. I will make it meshed.
My ramp is straight. I assigned it as a shell since it needs to take out-of-plane gravity load. Could you
please let me know to make it behave like a rigid diaphragm, what stiffness modifier need to change
and change to how much?
I am excited that you replied my post!

12:45
There is no way you can make it behave like a rigid diaphragm using diaphragm constraints in ETABS.
How thick is your concrete slab for out-of-plane loads? If it is 8" thick or more, it is pretty rigid itself and
would not need any additional modifiers.
However, if it is not very thick, then you can increase the in-plane stiffness (f11,f22 and f12) to make it
behave like a rigid body. Remember that these modifier values are a percentage, meaning if you make
it 2, then it will be 2 times more stiff in resisting in plane loads.
I would suggest that you model the ramp explicitly and not assign any diaphragm constraints. For
seismic loads, the masses are calculated automatically and for wind loads, it should not matter because
the diaphragm width is calculated by the building width extents and hopefully, the ramp extents are
within the building extents. Hope that makes sense.
13:12
Yes that makes a lot sense. Thanks for your valuable help!
cityboy (Structural) 19 Feb 08

16:19
When checking the reaction forces I found that there were a few points numbered as negative (like
-100) by ETABS, and more wired was that I got force reported at these negative points, the total force
including these negative points was balanced with applied loads. However, no such negative points
were reported from building model! No coordinates were associated with these negative points so that I
couldn't track down them. Anybody has this problem before? I had 3 different building models and 2
out of 3 have the negative point number problem. How can I get rid of this negative point numbering?
Thanks
cityboy (Structural) 20 Feb 08
9:06
ok, the problem is solved. the negative point numbering comes after the auto mesh of the wall as
ETABS adds a restraint to the mid-node by default.

6:45
What's the quickest way to determine the principal direction of the building?
Drile007
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Murali27 (Structural) 29 Jan 08
11:10
Dirle
I am not sure of what is the structural system in the building,
I would say, quickly calculating section properties
Cheers
15:49
I was thinking about any system which is modeled by the Etabs.

Can I help myself with the modal participating mass ratio.
Drile007
Murali27 (Structural) 5 Feb 08
8:22
Drile
Yes, its correct
cheers
GarthJ (Structural) 9 Feb 08

20:14
Try to determine the angle of the base reaction for the first fundamental frequency. Check out the CSI
web site. There is an article posted there with the title something like "Dynamic Analysis to Satisfy
Building Codes" (or something like that)
drile007 (Structural) 10 Feb 08
15:46
Thanks GarthJ...great readings. Now I see that looking for principal direction is meaningless if I do the
right combination of modal maximums and spectra accelerations.
RafikCGS (Structural) 14 Feb 08
8:16
One way is to perform a preliminary modal analysis; the principal direction corresponds to the direction
of the first mode translational direction, translational first mode of vibration corresponds to the most
flexible direction.
Skicat (Structural) 28 Jan 08

15:29
A senior engineer asked me if ETABS can model a structure with offset expansion joints. The EJ at the
first level occurs in a different bay then the EJ's in the levels above. Has anyone had any experience
with modeling this condition in ETABS? Thanks.
11:13
skicat
possible, but depends on the stability of the part which is on the other level. Not sure of the structural
system what you have.
Cheers
13:03
Define a new membrane type slab to use for your expansion joint. Membrane type has in-plane stiffness
only so as not to transfer moment. You can adjust the area property modifiers in order to transfer shear
only in 1 direction

13:41
Few months ago I've import DXF file to Etabs with no problem. Walls and floors were Polyline entities.
Now I made DXF file where walls and floors are Lwpolyline entities. Importing doesn't work. I tried with
command PLINETYPE in Autocad to "convert" Lwpolyline to Polyline but it didn't help. Can you help me
out?
Thank you in advance
Drile007
slickdeals (Structural) 28 Jan 08
12:42
For floors use a polyline, but make sure it is a closed polyline.
For walls, import them as beams (draw them as lines). Trace the walls in plan on the beamlines.
JohnB965 (Structural) 5 Jan 08
15:12
I am currently using ETABS and UBC Code to model buildings in the middle east. Although ETABS
calculates lateral drifts I am not sure of the following :-
1. ETABS calculates lateral drifts based on the SRSS earthquake load case. Does this value need to be
multiplied by 0.7 R to obtain maximum inelastic displacements, or is this already included in the
analysis. The maximum value of this drift has an upper limit of 0.02
2. This is the part I am not sure about. I also want to limit service drifts to H/500. Do I simply divide
the drift by 1.4 to get service loads or do I need to multiply the ETABS drifts by 0.7 R / 1.4
16:03
I'm not familar with UBC code, but

1. I think you shouldn't multipied the drifts with 0.7 R (I supposed this is ductility of the structure),
since drifts are independent from ductility
2. Same as 1.
Drile007
slickdeals (Structural) 9 Jan 08 8:03
John, It is very difficult to control your building deflections to H/500 for a seismic load case. H/500 is
more for wind load at service level. For seismic, you can use the allowable interstory drift in ASCE which
can of the order of a few inches.
ahmedhegazi (Structural) 11 Jan 08
16:23
John
the values you get from Etab should be multiplied by 0.7R to get the maximum inelastic response
displacement (UBC 1630.9.2) and it is interstory drift not story drift
the value for H/500 is used only for wind service limit and it should not be multiplied by 0.7R
Upper limit for seismic drift is function in building period (UBc 1630.10.2)
slickdeals (Structural) 11 Jan 08
19:52
Please note that for seismic loads the displacement is always calculated at design levels per ASCE. You
should not reduce your it to service levels. In addition the displacement should be multiplied by
deflection amplification factor (Cd) to get the maximum inelastic deflections. HTH
13:54
Sorry, my claim in previous post was wrong (slickdeals and ahmedhegazi are right)...you should
multiplied the lateral drifts with ductility to get real (inelastic) drifts which one you should check by the
code.
Drile007
10:00
John
With UBC code,
1. Lateral drifts (displacements) are to be multiplied with 0.7 * R to obtain the maximum inelastic
displacement, which would be useful in checking pounding of structures, expansion joint, etc,.
2. Seismic story drift demand is required to allow the movement in cladding design. I am not sure of
H/500, which is really uneconomical to achieve.
UBC gives the limit 0.02 x story height, (as calculated above). If your story drift ratio is less than 0.02,
then it is fine.
If you look at Eurocode, there is a limit of story drift ration 0.005 at service level, i.e., H/200
Hope this helps
drile007 (Structural) 21 Aug 07

8:33
1) I model a beam under the slab in Etabs. What kind of connection does Etabs presume between
them, rigid or no connection at all?
2) How can I "tell" Etabs that the beam is under or above slab? I need this info. for exporting the exact
model to Safe (or I can't do this in Etabs, but I can correct the vertical position in Safe).
Drile007
slickdeals (Structural) 21 Aug 07
10:52
You can specify the location of the beam by using the "specity frame insertion point" By default ETABS
places the top of the beam at the center of the slab. You can change this by changing your insertion
point. And I think ETABS assumes a rigid connection between the beam and slab. I know it assumes
composite action in case of a steel beam and concrete slab.
ASCE07 (Structural) 2 Sep 07
17:57
Remember that ETABS transfers the loads only at the end points of elements.
You need to provide as many segments to beam and slab (meshing) in order to achieve near
uniform/accurate mass distribution in the model.I would recommend at least three divisions on each
elements.If you do not segment slab and beams load from slab will directly pass to columns, thus you
will get a beam under designed.
Connections will be "rigid" (although this is not a connection a tall, the RC structure are monolithic)
hope that helps.

TSReddy (Civil/Environme) 5 Sep 07
4:25
Mr.ASCE07
"ETABS converts the object based model into element based model for analysis and results are reported
back on the object based model". If this statement is true, then what is the necessity of doing many
segments to beams and slabs?
As per my knowledge ETABS can do this process internally and no need of segments.
amadeus (Structural) 16 Jan 08
14:55
If the slab has been defined as SHELL then meshing it will be necessary for the correct transfer of
vertical loads. A minumum of three segments per side is often enough mesh refinement. If the slab
has been defined as MEMBRANE you won't have to mesh it. The beams DO NOT need to be segmented
in order to achieve correct load transfer.

16:16
I'm beginning to learn ETABS at our office and I've been trying to determine the most efficient way to
model a structure. I concede that if the model was going to be simple, I would just create it using the
drawing tools in ETABS. However, as the structures become more and more complex, it seems that it is
easier to draw the model in 3D in AutoCAD and import a .dxf file. A friend in the office creates every
model in ETABS by first modeling the first floor and then copying it up and modifying as
necessary. Given that often times floors stack, I can see how this method works also. What is your
preferred method to model in ETABS? Thank you.
EBARRERA (Structural) 5 Jan 08 1:51
Both methods are good for modeling structures in ETABS. The first one will be better for structures with
irregular shape, while the second one will be better for regular multi-story buildings
15:57
I allways create a model with Allplan (AutoCad) and never with Etabs, since Etabs is very clumsy. It's
also the third option Revit-Structure, but I never used it and I never heard any commnets on behaviour
Revit-Etabs.
Drile007
10:00
I've been tinkering with importing a 3D autocad .dxf file of a 17 story concrete building into etabs. As
you know, ETABS allows you to initialize a model with a default.edb file in which you can pre-set all of
your materials, frame and area objects as well as your design defaults and load cases / combos. In
theory, it's a great idea. In practice, it's kicking my butt. If I start a new file, and go directly to file ->
import -> etc, etc, it prompts me to open the 3D .dxf model with a default.edb file if I please. When I
do so, the program is reading the story data from the default file, which is not consistent with the
number of stories in my model. I talked to CSI and they recongnize the problem. OK, no big deal. The
way to work around that is to, as a first step, open the defualt.edb file and then import your model into
that file. You have to promptly save the file as a new name to avoid over-writing your original
model. No big deal. Well, even though I took the time to input the correct story data into my default
file, when I go to modify the stories in any way (add, delete, revise height), the story data form is all
messed up and nearly impossible to deal with. Ok, ok, still no big deal. When you import your model,
ETABS assigns section properties to columns, beams, slabs, etc. I thought this would be extremely
handy. I'm not sure it is. It seems to be a huge pain to go story by story editing the frame elements to
make them match your structure. So the conclusion I've come to is that as efficient as it seems to be to
import a 3D .dxf, in the end it seems easier to just import the grid and start from scratch. Sorry for the
long post, you can tell I'm frustrated. All of that aside, I still love CSI :)
dorinad (Structural) 8 Nov 07

12:25
Can somebody help me with some values for the Scale factor in the definition of the response
spectrum ? Especially for the definition of romanian p100 - 2006 seismic code (or EC8).
When defining a response function in etabs / sap2000 the values for the accelerations represent
fractions of G (gravity acceleration) ?
any help is apreciated, especially from design practice.
Thanks
Daca ma poate ajuta cineva cu informatii despre modelarea spectrului de proiectare din P100 in etabs.
mie, din ce am calculat, mi-a rezultat o accel max de o,16 m/s2. e corect ???
dorinad (Structural) 9 Nov 07
14:22
problem solved. just in case, if someone wants to know:
for Romania, ag=0.16 G, reinf. concrete building, ductility factor 4.725 the starting value for design
spectrum is 1.6 m/s2 at T=0, with 0.9 m/s2 between 0.07 and 0.07 seconds.
scale factor "1" for N m units

Monkeytz (Structural) 25 Dec 07
6:05
Sal...te pricepi la ETABS ? As vrea sa ma ajuti si pe mine cand am ceva probleme. Sunt unele lucruri pe
care nu le inteleg...dc vrei putem sa vb pe messenger. Id meu e : monkey_trial2000@yahoo.com
Multumesc. Sal
doantonminhphu (Structural) 16 Nov 07

5:21
I want to view the weight of a storey (include from self
and load on floor), Thanks
drile007 (Structural) 16 Nov 07
8:40
It should be in Display/Output tables...
Drile007
doantonminhphu (Structural) 18 Nov 07
20:38
But I calculate in handle,not right compare with etabs
drile007 (Structural) 19 Nov 07
5:16
Did you properly define masses...Define/Mass source?
Drile007
nickershocker (Structural) 8 Nov 07

11:35
Dear Potential Helpers,
This is my first time using ETABS (other than the tutorial). Right now I am attempting to make sure
that the gravity loads are getting to the columns. My dead load and unreduced live load seem to be
accurate. However, my live load does not seem to be reducing. I am hoping my problem is simple
(maybe I am just not looking in th right place). Here are a few details about my model:
- The structure is concrete and my slab is defined as a membrane. (well, where I am checking columns
it is a membrane, it is defined as a shell elsewhere)
- The live load in which i wish to take a reduction is called REDLIVE and I defined it as load type
REDUCE LIVE.
- Under options>preferences>live load reduction, I have selected influence area ASCE7-95.
- I am viewing the results by selecting a single column, running an analysis, and going to display>show
tables, then selecting the appropriate loads and checking Table: Column Forces under Frame Output.
- I am running ETABS Plus V9.1.5
Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
~Nick
nickershocker (Structural) 8 Nov 07
15:33
I was looking in the wrong place....apparently LLR isn't reflected in frame forces until after a design is
run.
Thanks anyway, ~Nick
RCraine (Structural) 25 Oct 07

10:09
Can't I just model a spring stiffness as related to my soil sub-grade modulus of reaction, and review the
results to determine if I'm having any uplift forces, instead of "jumping through hoops" to create
tension/compression only springs/links?
Is this not correct? I'm trying to get loads that are to be carried down to my 'mat' foundation under my
shear wall frames.
Let me know if this is not correct.
Thanks.
RC
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
Edmund Burke
www.tbastructures.com
stressed (Civil/Environme) 3 Nov 07
14:34
Yes, you can do this easily. Model the basemat foundation or footings as a slab type area element using
section properties equivalent to the actual foundation or footing thickness. Then select the basemat or
footings and Assign>Shell/area>Area springs. If you had a subgrade modulus of reaction of .25 Kip-in,
for example, you would assign it as .25 Kip-in area spring in the local 3 direction (vertical). You would
also need to add soil springs in the local 1 and 2 directions. Either use springs, or restrain it in those in-
plane directions.
Even if your mesh changes, ETABS should automatically handle those area springs as you assigned
them
RCraine (Structural) 5 Nov 07
10:35
Thanks stressed for the response. I know we've done this in RISA3D before, which you can model with
compression only, but I figured as long as review of the soil springs showed no tension, then it would
act as it should. We did just that with the sub-grade modulus of reaction.
However, when applying the reaction to different size areas per Terzaghi's research, we found
conflicting formulas for how you apply this. Do you know what the formulas are? I have a Bowles
foundation book, as well as a 5th edition Das Foundation book. One states to multiply the sub-grade
reaction by the width and one states to divide by it. I feel like it should be somewhere in the middle.
Which one is correct?
Thanks.
RC
Edmund Burke
18:54
I'm not sure that I understand your question..the subgrade modulus represents k, right? a pressure vs
deformation relationship. Subgrade modulus is an area value, so it's handled on a per area basis, and
engineering programs use these values to calculate nodal spring constants. On a large mat foundation,
you may have variable soil conditions supporting the foundation, but you could mesh your basemat
elements and make multiple assignments to account for that. Since you're modeling the basemat
foundation using area shell finite elements, the basemat is not treated as rigid.
CSI has a special purpose program for design and analysis of foundations called SAFE.
RCraine (Structural) 6 Nov 07
9:54
Sorry for a confusing question.
Yes, I agree k is a pressure vs. deformation relationship ksi/in, or whatever units you want to use. This
relationship of the k value with the shape and size of the foundation, as discussed in Das' Foundation
Engineering, 5th Edition, doesn't have a linear relationship, as one would assume. Das claims that
Terzaghi found a relationship with different areas (because k is based on a 1'x1' plate and this could
change as the size of the footing changes) and in Das this relationship is stated as k*(1/B) where B is
the width of the footing (ft). In Bowles' 2nd Edition book, it states the relationship is k*B, where B is
the width.
In both texts, they claim the formulas are derived from Terzaghi's research in the 50s.
Does anyone know which formula is correct?

Thanks.
Also, if you want to design your shear walls correctly, the footings in etabs should have soil properties
below to allow for shear to be transferred to the floor slab diapraghms and not all to the footing. This
also helps reduce the possibility of having uplift on the your footings because most of the load on your
walls is then transferred to the diaphragm and basement walls as a result of the allowed movement in
the footing below your design in ETABS. We do utilize SAFE for footings once we have the controlling
loads on them from the ETABS analysis.
Thanks for your help.
RC
Edmund Burke
phuocqn (Structural) 15 Oct 07

22:39
I am analysing a air traffic control tower. The client requires us give them the maximum acceleration of
tower. How can I get the acceleration from software Etabs of Sap ?
drile007 (Structural) 19 Oct 07
17:40
Hello,
I think, that you can get acceleration by Display/ Show output tables...response spectrum accelerations.
They are listed by the mode shapes.
Hope that will help you
Drile007
14:37
drile007 is correct, you can get this info in the output. But before analysis, you will need to define
response spectrum function and RS case(s). The "factor" is to scale to G in current units, and also to
apply additional factors to match with base shear
cenju (Structural) 17 Oct 07

14:27
Hello folks,
I have a situation here:

I was checking the foundation reaction of a 9-story concrete flat plate structure. I was only interested at
the gravity loading (DL and LL)
The reaction from a column load take-down (manually calculated) appears to be (20% to 75%) less
than the reaction from ETABS output. I checked this on a basic 1x1 bay 4-storey structure in ETABS and
turns out the reaction is 10% more than the traditional tributatry load-take-down. It appears as if the
program internally applies a load factor.
Has anyone ever encountered this situation or am i missing something? ....I used to consider myself a
comfortable user of ETABS but this is kind of frustrating!!
Your response is greatly appreciated.
drile007 (Structural) 19 Oct 07

17:42
I think, that the answer could be in how did you mesh the floors.
Drile007
johnjeed (Structural) 30 Oct 07
3:05
If you model your floors as membranes you will find that the distribution of reactions in the columns
matches that if you performed the calculation manualy using tributary areas. The difference in reactions
is due to the in plane stiffness of the floor when modelling using shell elements.
TomKC (Structural) 12 Sep 07

7:54
I have generated my static base shear in Etabs with "Time period Ct(ft)Programm calculated" and the
result are different base shears in x- and y-direction. Befor that I have used "Time period Method A"
and the result were same base shear values for both direction. Does anybody know why I get differt
results for my base shear and which is the correct way of generating the base shear?
AhmedR (Structural) 14 Sep 07
14:58
that is expected, cuz u r using the period from model analysis, and Etabs taking the period which have
the maximum mass participation in that direction
for example
1st mode 2.5 sec with UX=70% UY=10%
2nd mode 2.0 sec with Ux=10% UY=12%
3rd mode 1.7 sec with UX=9% UY=60%
the period which is etabs taking to calculate the static base shear in X& Y direction will be:
Tx= 2.5 sec
Ty=1.7 sec
TomKC (Structural) 18 Sep 07

5:17
Hallo AhmedR,
thanks for your helpful reply. My problem is now that Etabs takes the 10th mode for y-direction and
that results in an enormous base shear which is beyond a designable value! As I have some Null Lines
moving in the animated view I guess this could be the reason for the high mass activation in the 10th
mode. I'm going to check this. Did you have similar effect anytime?
AhmedR (Structural) 21 Sep 07
1:49
Hi TomKC
10th mode is not reasonable to me , usually 1st 3 modes are govern. If there is no problem in the
model ,I guess you structure have is separated or flexible or slender. if it is ,so it is better to use
response spectrum analysis.

for static analysis you may take one of the 1st 3 modes which has the larger mass participation in each
direction and apply it as user defined period in each direction ,or use method A static analysis is
approximated method anyway
regards
Corey7320 (Structural) 22 Aug 07

9:10
What is the most common way to model a one-way concrete slab in ETABS?
drp181 (Structural) 28 Aug 07
13:27
Use a membrane element and check the "Use Special One-Way Load Distribution" box in the Wall/Slab
Section dialog. Make sure the program has chosen the correct direction -- there should be an arrow
shown in the direction of the span.
17:53
I second drp181.
Corey7320 (Structural) 12 Sep 07
8:30
Why use the membrane option and not shell? I thought membrane only allows in plane stresses. You
can still choose the one-way load distribution with a shell element.
WillisV (Structural) 12 Sep 07
13:44
Selecting a membrane option for a floor element in ETABS triggers ETABS to use its internal tributary
width algorithms to calculate the load distributions as opposed to using true bending distribution as with
a plate or shell element. This (using a membrane element and thus ETABS built in algorithms) results
in much faster run-times than using a plate or shell element but can lead to incorrect answers if your
floor plate does not behave as their algorithms assume (e.g. if the continuity effects are great etc).
tony19 (Structural) 29 Aug 07

16:10
I need to model a structure with waffle slabs. The structure is very irregular and using the template for
waffles slabs (i.e. new model, waffle or Edit add to model) will probably do nothing good. Any idea of
approximations or tips of how to build the model. It's a 14 story building. If I use waffle slabs template
it'll make the model very difficult to work with. Will take great time computer wise for the design.
Any ideas are highly appreciated.
drile007 (Structural) 30 Aug 07
4:25
Try to build a 3D model in Cad and then make a DXF file, which one you can import in to Etabs. I follow
this way and it's working. You can also try with Revit...
Drile007
17:52
Are you going to design the waffle slab using ETABS ?
I doubt if it does that. You can put the self weight to zero for a regular slab, and put equivalent SDL on
the slab enements for reaction purposes.
Also, you need to provide cracking MOI -"Icr" for deflection purposes.
I hope that helps.
CivilTanju (Structural) 6 Jul 07

13:10
hi all,
yesterday I have encountered a very strange outputs of etabs. I was analysing single storey structure,
load case was only with gravity uniform loads on floors (rigid diaphragm), everything went so normal
run the analysis and after that i run the design/check( concrete frame,EuroCode-2) i get some
longitudual reinforcement outputs for columns on the screen thinking that these are normal results
program supposed to create. Then I added some additional(4) storeys on top of the ground floor (load
case and code was same). But even now the structure was comprised of 5 floor, the longitudual
reinforcement was same with last result on the ground floor columns.
It made me think that longitudual reinforcement is provided only with min percentage specified on
code(Eurocode-2) as long as concrete cross section bears all the axial-load capacity.
Any idea??
Best Regards,
Murali27 (Structural) 19 Jul 07
16:22
Of course, you set the min & max value for the percentage of reniforcement.
Pls change the min value to 0.001 and check the steel requirement.
Hope this helps
Cheers
ASCE07 (Structural) 14 Aug 07
21:12
you need to check the min values for column. If that is not being exceeded your output will not change.
try reducing column size.
johnclarion (Civil/Environme) 18 Jul 07

1:52
Hi Dear friends
I need to model shear wall for pushover analysis . Does anybody know how can I do it ?
in general, how can I do pushover analysis shear wall structure in or ETABS?
2:54
In a few words:
You must model a wall with Frame Sections and then define Frame Nonlinear Hinge Properties. Then
you assign this Hinges prop. to prior define frame sections prop.. Next step is to define Static
Nonlinear/Pushover Cases...
Drile007
8:48
Dear Drile
How can I define wall as frame section? may you please explain for me how?
for example if I define wall as column, should I define a column insted of wall with that dimension?
help me please
9:15
Yes, if the wall thicknes is 20cm and lenght 600cm then you define column 20/600cm. Otherwise you
can't model the RC walls. Be careful with local axes...
I could send you a large model where I done pushover analysis on old masonry structure strengthened
with reinforced concrete walls.
Drile007
1:33
Dear Drile,
As you know, I model shearwall as column, but when define it, I could not understand what should I do
with length of beams which are connected to the walls. because in this case, the length of beams
should prolong!!!
may you please help me about this?
Regards
7:01
You should model a beam with two sections:
1) Rigid body in the area where beam crossing the wall (inside the wall)->that's right, prolong the beam
to the center of the wall.
2) Regular beam outside the wall area.
PS: Sorry for my English...
Drile007
jimka (Civil/Environme) 19 Jun 07

10:53
I have a beam and i want to assighn two uniform loads,The first is for all the length of the beam but
the second is only
for a part of the beam(in the middle of the beam)Is there an easy way????
7:31
There are 2 things you can do. You can either superimpose the loads or use 2 different load cases. You
will have to divide the beam into smaller parts and assign the loads over them.
For example, if you have a beam with 1 klf load over the entire length, and an additional 0.5 klf over
the middle third. Divide the beam into 3. Select line -> Edit -> divide. Once the beams are
divided you can choose to superimpose and you will end up with 1 klf each on the 1st and 3rd thirds
and 1.5 klf over the middle third.
HTH
Anantha
jimka (Civil/Environme) 23 Jun 07
16:42
Thank you very much
15:07
Actually, you can assign two uniform loads without having to either divide the frame or define another
load case. Whenever you assign distributed loads to a frame, the dialogue gives options for both
trapezoidal load and uniform load. You can assign the trapezoidal load (which can be uniform) for part
of the frame, and the uniform load applies to the entire frame in addition to the trapezoidal option.
Gunblues (Structural) 1 May 07

11:19
Hello,
I'm hoping you can help. I have a building modelled with a movement joint running through it, so
essentially it's two separate buildings. We're looking at ways to connecting the two to provide a shear
connection to shore up one of the buildings when they move side-by-side. However it will still allow
movements "away" from each other.
It is possible to model the building points along the connected face in such as manner as to account for
these effects?
Thank you.
shaheed (Structural) 4 May 07
7:44
Hi
I have not had much experience with this myself but I dare to suggest that would need to use some
sort of "link" element at the points where the buildings are joined. Also I believe if you use a link
system you need to carry out a non linear analysis. Maybe some one else would have a better/simpler
way of achieving what you require or could elaborate on the above suggestion.
ASCE07 (Structural) 25 May 07
6:09
I fail to understand your question. You want to "shore" up the buildings while allowing to "move"?
Could you elaborate your question ?
thanks
Murali27 (Structural) 4 Jun 07
15:59
Gunblues
How about pounding each other? Did you consider that?
Is it for thermal expansion only?
Just see, if possible by external restraint at those points?
I understand that you are trying to use shear walls along this plane to resist the shear from both the
buildings
Is it correct
Cheers
inju (Structural) 23 Apr 07

14:05
Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone has tips on how to model

a steel frame on ETABS only for gravity loading and estimating foundation reaction. (no lateral force)
The structure is:

-1 storey steel frame (high and low roofing)
-roof joist and deck system
I modelled the structure as:

- all beams & joists = pin-pin
- columns = cantilever gravity columns
running the model this way generates a number of errors and to termination of analysis.
I will be requesting techincal support on this issue from CSI. But, i will appreciate your help.
Thanks
Inju
ryansteel (Structural) 6 May 07

2:45
i know your cantelever columns are fixed at the bottom(for steel, pin support is default), right? take
time in removing warnings and errors its part of life in ETABS.
18:52
numerous errors indicate that there are shortcomings in your model...you are apparently a
beginner...ytr going to CSI website and use watch and learn for ETABS...I hope that helps..
15:55
Inju
Could you please look at the filename.$og file in the run folder. Just check the part "Percentage of
Error"Global Force Balance, which will give you fair idea on Print Static/Dynamic check.
Or
Look at the deformed shape, whether it makes any sense?
or
Look at the mode shapes, if you are asked for it, it may also give some indication
Cheers
GarthJ (Structural) 1 Jun 07

22:52
In a building which has some levels below grade the ultimate level of footings would be, of course, at
the basment level. The soil around the basment would have, potentially, a large impact on providing
restaint against lateral earthquake movement. I'm wondering how others have modelled the horizontal
restaint of the soil. Horizontal springs?
15:50
Hi GarthJ
Yes soil springs can be assigned to represent the passive resistance of soil.
Please review your assumption, is it really required bcoz, lot of basement retaining walls will be there to
resist lateral shear.
Cheers
matrixeric (Structural) 19 Apr 07
17:02
Hello All:
I am modelling a 10 story concrete 2-way slab/concrete columns/concrete shear wall model in ETABS. I
have defined the concrete 2-way slab as a shell.
Now coming to the problem, the reactions I obtain at columns are <50% of what I obtained from
column (made sure that column is far from the core) load take down for couple of columns.
I have tried checking every possible cause for error but haven't found any logical explaination of why
this is happening?
Any help will be greatly appreciated !!!

inju (Structural) 23 Apr 07
9:45
Hi,
As I understand the situation it seems like the load from the shell is not distributed to the beams
(columns) in a two-way fashion. I would suggest that you mesh the shell element after you assigned
the surface loads (self wt, live load, snow load .. or whatever)
If you are using ETABS version 9.0.8, try ASSIGN>FRAME/LINE>AUTOMATIC FRAME SUBDIVIDE
ASSIGN>AREA/SHELL>AUTO MESH
(make sure to keep a temporary back-up of the file before meshing)

15:47
Hi matrixeric
I would suggest to go ahead with inju's suggestion if we are aiming for realistic distribution. Especially it
happens for corner/edge columns, where force will be very less compared to manual trib area
calculations.
If we want to match with manual method, please go ahead with membrane option and connect the
beams (null) on each vertical element. It matches with manual calculation.
Please also check with Tributary area for each column in the ETABS output.
Cheers
hannes964 (Civil/Environme) 11 Jan 07

10:38
Hi folks,
i’m still really unhappy by meshing floors with areas. I handled to mesh the geometry manually, which
is irregular, in six big quads. So far the model runs without warnings. I tried to generate a finer mesh
by dividing the areas into sub-elements to get the proper deformation of my floor. But then I receive
that some areas are too close by checking the model. Someone gave me the hint to delete these areas
and rebuilt these areas manually (thanks civilungo). So far so good if the number is small. In my
example the number of areas which are too close is about 100. So I have no chance to redraw these
areas manually. My question is actually really simple, how can I mesh irregular floor areas in etabs? Or
are these warnings harmless???
I’m really depressed…I’m wondering that nobody has any problems by meshing floors in etabs (I use
version 9.0.7)
Thanks a lot
hannes
zeemas (Structural) 22 Jan 07
5:18
Hi
In my opinion if you have very regular building then go for Auto meshing, because as you know that
manual meshing makes the life so much difficult specially Architects are involved too much. Any way if
you want to go for manual mesh, I have one more method which i usuall do. Make a very basic model
and export to ROBOT or AUTOCAD, generate the mesh if you are using ROBOT by number of meshing
method or just create manual mesh in AUTOCAD and then import back to ETABS, Assign properties and
loads and annalyse, this is my experience that chances of warnings are very low. Also for warnings i tell
you one thing, if error is less than Exp-11, then I think you can neglegt the warnings, in this case check
the reactions and other things carefully.
opa123 (Structural) 28 Jan 07
12:11
you can also build your floor model in safe and export it as dxf abd then take it to etabs.

23:26
can do with SAFE, but many places mesh aspect ratio becomes very bad, which can cause these
warnings again.
23:34
I generally use automesh and control the meshing at special locations with grids and/or null lines.
I would look at your force balance of your model and then I would look at how many digits of accuracy
are being lost. They don't seem to worry too much if there are six digits or more lost.
You must gain confidence in your results. Remember you can use the process of elimination to get rid
of your problem, study the forces and deflections of this new model and then compare with the model
that has the trouble. This may be a way to gain some confidence in results.
Hope this helps

9:44
Hi there everyone,
Code says elements/odjects not part of lateral force resisting system needs to be deformation
compatible.
i'd like to know if there is a logical way to model for Deformation Compatibility?

23:19
I believe what is meant by "deformation compatible" is that the member/element will perform or survive
after the extreme event. There can be various detailing requirements for members that are part of the
lateral load resisitng system (LLRS) but these requirements don't necessarily apply to members that are
not part of the LLRS. My understanding is that members not part of the LLRS can't fail during an
earthquake. So I beleive two anlyses must be done. One with, and one without, the elements that are
not part of the LLRS. These members must still be able to resist the factored force effects so they don't
collapse during an EQ.
Hope this helps
hippo11 (Structural) 4 Jan 07

17:42
I am modeling a steel-framed building that has some non-structural masonry partitions that will be
infilled floor-to-floor (as opposed to continuous) after the steel skeleton is built.
How can I model these walls correctly? I’d like to have the mass represented correctly, but I don’t want
the masonry partitions to contribute to overall lateral stiffness, or to local steel beam stiffnesses.

Would it be proper to use a membrane object but with an f12 release?
I guess I could just account for the nonstructural masonry as Line Loads but those loads could be
tedious to input on all the individual beams.
Thanks!
WillisV (Structural) 5 Jan 07 7:41
Just use the line loads or convert it to a reasonable uniform load - it will be less hassle in the long run.
tpist (Civil/Environme) 5 Apr 07
16:50
A good idea to convert the masonry partitions to a surface load, because when an earthquake occur,
the collapse of these partitions will be in the first seconds, so these elements are really don't contribute
by their lateral stiffness, they contribute by their mass. I have read about this from a great scientist (to
convert partitions to a surface load on the slab or deck). So if u don't want to model the slab you can
use a horizontal element like slab ( i forget about the name of this element) which don't mean anything
(no mass, no stiffness) after u assign you surface load on this element, then loads will be transfered to
beams with the software processes.
This feature give you an accurate results after VICTOR DAVIDOCCI.
6:15
I'd use a line load convert from psf to plf !
CHARLES76 (Structural) 30 Apr 07
18:37
Hi everybody,
I'm new to this forum and it seems very useful.I have a question.How can you design a slender column
in etabs? Or which is the factor that I should check to get a correct design?
Thanks everybody in advance.
zeemas (Structural) 3 May 07
0:33
ETABS has capability to check slenderness of column according to selected code. In the design chart
ETABS doesnt show the slenderness ratio but it checks accordingly, and even if you have some double
story height column, ETABS will consider that length.
Try it
Zee
2:56
YUP! Etabs takes care of slenderness(its the only FEA sofware I know that does it). But "sometimes"
unrealistic slenderness ratio happens, better check on objects that gives-off veryhigh(unrealistic) D/C
ratio by clicking "overwrites".
rmedina1 (Structural) 4 May 07

9:57
I've been modelling a steel frame building with moment connected beams acting as the lateral
system. When I run the program with the auto select list and run a steel design, I get the largest
member in the auto select list assigned to the lateral beams. I tried removing that member size from
the list, and rerunning the analysis and design, only to get the next largest member. Checking the
strength and deflection ratios of the member, I am well below the limit for failure.
Does anyone know why the program isn't designing the beams appropriately, is there something i need
to check with the overwrites. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
2:35
Hi there, I think when u use Autoselection in design the section that gets selected has something to do
with the controls of drift/displacement of a jiont, and if no target drift specified it will select the section
the gives smallest drift/displacement.
try this
http://www.csiberkeley.com/faq_ETABS.html#sfdo4
LeonRestrepo (Structural) 15 Feb 07

17:06
how do i calculate the drift with etabs , when there is no common points between adyacent stories.
when i enter a multi-tower building etabs only gives me the
drifts of stories that have common points with the next story.
radugrosu (Structural) 21 Feb 07
5:35
You really have two options.
1. Find points that are reasonably close to the same vertical on each storey of interest and compute the
drift yourself.
2. Try harder in finding points on the same vertical and let Etabs compute the drifts. There's no need to
find corresponding points from the base all the way to the top, you just need to find them on groups of
storeys.
Radu
Turkishengineer (Structural) 15 Jan 07

8:09
Hi everybody,
I'm new to this forum and it seems very useful.I have a question.How can you (or can you )design a
built-in column in etabs?Thanks everybody in advance.
7:57
Hi,
For defining built up column go to frame definition and select add I/W section or any other section type
which you want to use and input the properties. Also if you want to define tapered section or section
with variable depth, define two section with different depth and select non prismatic section, define
start section, end section and the length. Turn on the extrusion in case to see the exact direction you
want. Hope it will work.
Zee
vera82 (Civil/Environme) 10 Jan 07
9:15
Hello to everybody! I've just discovered your forum and I think I'll join it very frequently, it's rally
interesting....
I have a problem with etabs... I create the model of a building using both frame and wall elements, but
when I open the menu "display-set output table mode" I can't choose the option "wall forces" because
it is not written in bold character.
What did I do wrong?
Thanks a lot for you help

6:45
Hi Vera
For getting wall output you have to assign them as Pier and spanderal (See technical document in
ETABS manual to know about the Label option) do the analysis, run the wall design, after this
procedure if you check the ouput table you will be able to get wall forces.
Best!!
Zee
rmedina1 (Structural) 17 Jan 07

16:54
Hey, i've built up a fairly large model with a curved joist roof. It's composed of about 10 bays and i'm
trying to model the roof using a series of null areas to try and approximate the roof's actual
curvature. I'm also inputting my own wind loads, not using the wind coefficients or any automatic
windload.
Now when i run the model even though i've applied the wind loads to the curved roof areas the
structural frame doesn't respond to the loading. Do i have to attach the areas to each node of the roof
individually, or do i need to give the roof some sort of property such as slab on deck.
I'm currently using ETABS v.8
any help would be appreciated.

stressed (Civil/Environme) 20 Jan 07
11:48
You have to draw/mesh the null areas at joints to distribute load to the joints.
Alternatively, you can define your own deck membrane area, but with a material with no weight or
stiffness (tiny modulus value), and ETABS will distribute area loads that you assign for wind, as
distributed loads along the frames.
civilungo (Structural) 28 Sep 06

1:39
hi:
i'm modeling a 30 floor building in viña del mar (chile), i assigned membrane as a floor section, i have
used a spectrum function as require NCh433of96 chilean seismic code. my problem is that i've assigned
rigid diaphragm in all floors then i run the program an when y look joint displacement i watch in load
case joints moves together but when i watch the joints displacement on any load combination it does
not keep the condition of rigid diaphragm.
regards
Diquan (Civil/Environme) 1 Oct 06
20:54
You have to assing the diaphragm to each level, so at the end you will have 30 diaphragms. Click on the
"plan view" and go one by one, the name of the diaphragm have to be different for each floor
Tiene que asignarle el diafragma a cada nivel por separado, al final tendra 30 diafragmas asignados. Le
da click a "plan view" y va uno por uno, los nombres de los diafragmas tienen que ser diferentes en
cada piso
Diquan
drp181 (Structural) 3 Oct 06 3:31
The results from a response spectrum analysis represent the maximum values at any time. The results
for displacements of the points in the rigid diaphragm will have peak values that occur at different
times, meaning that the deflected shape will appear to violate the rigid diaphragm constraint, though it
does not.
Before proceeding with the design, be sure that you fully understand the fine points of response
spectrum analysis. It is not the same as simple static analysis, and should be treated accordingly. For
instance, all signs are lost as a result of the combination of modes, and therefore the code checks must
be done assuming the worst combination of different forces (i.e. axial force and moment).
civilungo (Structural) 4 Oct 06 1:08
thanks, but i don´t understand well, if i look the modal displacement (each one the different modes) the
structure shows the displacement of the joint taking into account the diaphragm rigid condition... all of
these movements are represent as the result of the spectrum analysis for each mode... but the question
is: what does the displacement of each node that the structure shows represent in the spectrum
analysis response (all modes superimposed by CQC) ? is the spectra response displacement case the
maximum value of displacement of any node in each mode? i think it should be the superimposed by
CQC response from the different mode shapes
Diquan : thanks, but the rigid diaphragm definition can be used the same in all floors because it
associates all the joints selected into a master joint in each floor.. but if i want to use two rigid
diaphragm in each floor i need to use two diferents rigid diaphragm assignment.
stressed (Civil/Environme) 31 Oct 06

8:52
The joints on your floors will move/deflect together reacting to in-plane lateral loads with a rigid
diaphragm, but will not move together with load combinations if load components of the combination
include non lateral loads, such as Dead or Live loads in gravity (-Z) direction. The rigid diaphragm links
joints together that are reacting to in-plane forces (membrane area local 1 or 2 direction), and does not
link together joints reacting to loads coming from other directions. That is likely why you see joints on
the floors moving together reacting to response spectrum lateral loads, but not to load combinations
including other load cases.
plopez (Structural) 15 Nov 06
16:49
Parece que estas considerando combinaciones de cargas que tienen estados de carga sismicas y el CQC
te hace una distorsion de los desplazamientos que pareciera que el diafragma se deforma. Hay que
verificar las deformaciones que se producen por cada modo separado.
civilungo (Structural) 25 Nov 06
23:42
si plopez, estoy considerando cargas sismicas obtenidas con CQC mas cargas estaticas es cierto que se
deforma con ellas y tienes razon, verifique las deformaciones por modo y luego aplico la proporcion con
la masa modal de cada uno de los modos.
gracias
thanks everybody
opa123 (Structural) 21 Dec 06
8:05
well should i get design load from
Mx max and its corresponding My and N max

or
Mx max and My max and N max ?
shdma (Structural) 12 Jan 07
8:29
Hi?all
Rigid diagram reduces the degrees of freedom and makes the model run much faster. If you don't
include shell element with the rigid diaphragm, you can't obtain bending moments and shears for slab
design,and the bending moments and shears for the beams is samller than the real situation, the
bending moments and shears for the columns is more than the real situation.
usually I modify the I33 stiffness for the beam to simulate the real situation. According to some CODES
amplify 2-3 times.
Good luck
Shdma
rmedina1 (Structural) 9 Jan 07

15:53
I modelled and designed a complicated curved truss on etabs and now i'm trying to get an output of the
design forces. I manage to get the tables for all the members, but due in part to the curvature and
having to model it as a series of straight lines i end up with a lot of data.
Is there anyway where i can make Etabs just give me the worst case loading cases used for design?
drp181 (Structural) 9 Jan 07
19:27
When you print output data, there is an option to print "Envelopes Only." If you select only the design
load combinations for the output, this will give you the envelope loads, both maximum and minimum,
which are the same as those used internally by ETABS for design.
jeepman5 (Structural) 6 Jan 07

16:16
What does a o/s #3 message mean on etabs when doing concrete design?
drp181 (Structural) 9 Jan 07
19:24
O/S #3 signifies "Shear stress exceeds maximum allowed" - i.e., a shear failure.
yabi (Structural) 24 Dec 06

4:34
Sorry if this is a simple question, but I am new to ETABS.
In analysing a building after defining the loads (dead, live, wind and earthquake, we also have to define
load combinations and choose the sever case for each element based on these load combinations.
How can I define load combinations in ETABS?
5:04
I find "Load Combination" command under define menue.
Now my problem is how to assign these load combinations to the building?
civilungo (Structural) 25 Dec 06
22:33
you must see your design code, for example one of the ACI318-99 load combination is 1,4D + 1,7L
then to define this load case you must ADD new combo... then select DEAD Static Load and select as
Scale Factor 1,4 then press ADD Button, then select LIVE Static Load and select as scale factor 1,7 then
press ADD button

3:08
Dear civilungo
Thanks for your reply. I was able to define a load combination as you mentioned. My problem is how to
assign this load combination to the structure?
Thanks in Advance
17:45
load combination is just a array of loads cases in your structure that serves to calculate forces, stresses
and deflection but you don't have to assign load combination to the structure, you just have to assign
loads (DEAD, LIVE, EARTHQUAQUE, ETC) and the load combination are independent from the structure.
1:12
Thanks. I didnt know that. Therefore assigning basic loads (DEAD,LIVE,EQ and wind) will be enough
and load combinations will be done automatically.
thanks again
hannes964 (Civil/Environme) 23 Dec 06

9:49
Hello,
I try to mesh manually a floor of an irregular geometry by dividing the area at lines (shell elements).
When I check the model, I get the warning message: areas "are too close at points...".
Has anyone an idea how I can fix this warning. I'm not able to mesh this geometrie proper. In the
meanwhile I'm totally helpless. Thanks a lot.
22:27
i think you should run "merge points" comand and "check Model" in analyze menu the first comand will
find any joint and join into one when they are nearest (less than the tolerance) the second comand will
find any irregularity from your structure like overlaping areas or lines and it will select all the elements
with problems... then i use the comand "Show Selection Only" in view menu to show just the elements
that have problems.
sorry by my grammar
hannes964 (Civil/Environme) 27 Dec 06
7:28
thanks for the answer. the command merge points is a powerful command which i have not known.
thanks. but i'm still not able to fix the following warning:
2. UG, F4 & F413 are too close. Check at (179,622,296,385,3,15)

2. UG, F413 & F414 are too close. Check at (161,803,262,212,3,15)
Check Selected Objects.
i obtained this warning after dividing the area with the command mesh areas...
i can select them, but then i have no idea what the next step is. i tried to use the command merge
points after selecting all objects and points. but this command don't fix the problem.
thanks a lot
17:40
no! merge points just wants for any piont near from other point less than your tolerance and it convert
into just one point, bt in your case i preffer erase and create new sub-elements F4 F413 F414 ... i think
is more easy
bye
blihp (Structural) 28 Nov 06

18:11
hi
i have a building where i have a couple of columns relatively close to another and am finding that they
are attracting axial loads under a lateral load only case (ie no gravity or live loads).
The columns are pinned and thus it cant be frame action (and the results show they are carrying no
shear). So the columns only have axial load in them, no shear.
I have modelled the slabs as shells (ie 6 dof); do you think this may be a cause of the problem? (i dont
want to spend a day trying something that is unlikely to be the problem...)
I have also tried refining the mesh, which did help but didnt alleviate the problem. The only thing that
did help was reducing the stiffness of the slab to a very low value of modulus (ie 1% of full E), but im
unhappy with this for other reasons.
I can only assume that they are acting as some sort of coupled truss through the slab. As i am using
ETABS to design the cores/walls, i want to have all the stability to be taken by the cores/walls and not
be lost in other elements. I will ensure these other elements are ok under lateral loads separately.
any suggestions?
many thanks in advance

"a wise man know his limits" anon.

blihp
daniela123 (Civil/Environme) 23 Nov 06

14:59
I'm a newcomer and I'd like to say you Hello.
Now, I have a question for you, hope you can help me: what's the diferrence between modelling
concrete shear walls like shell or membrane? Which is the most convenient solution?
Thank you and have a good day.

civilungo (Structural) 25 Nov 06
23:37
you may model shear walls with shell elements, because they represent shear and flexural deformation
like frame (try making some examples). membrane i use like slab to distribute the loads from floor to
walls.
bye
daniela123 (Civil/Environme) 26 Nov 06
3:44
Thank you for your answer civilungo.
Now I have another question for you: I use for the slab modeling shell elements and after runing the
program I can obtain the stresses on the slab. How do you proceed for calculate slabs?
And, another question: do you use auto mesh for meshing the walls and slabs or do you make it
manually?
Have a good day.

7:15
there is no reason to make meshing manually, what do you mean about calculate slabs? stresses?
forces?
¿hablas español?
7:56
when i have used mebrane i make just one slab per floor, but when i use shell i prefer to use a meshed
floor to refine the results in it. the problem with automesh is that the program mesh with square shape
and then we could have problems with arquitecture... sometimes it seems a good option... but only in
shell floors. if you test with some examples you can see that there is no reason to mesh walls.. it makes
more complex model.
i attach an example. this is a 29 floor apartment buildind in concon- chile

http://www.gigasize.com/get.php/217111/costa_de_montemar.rar
asterixUC (Structural) 3 Nov 06
9:04
Hi, i'm from Chile and i'm designing a 26 storey bulding that needs to be modelated taking in acount the
flexibility in plane of the floor. Normally i wold use several (2 or 3)diaphragms per storey when
important discontinuities in the floor are present, but i have heard of people using semirigid diaphragms
instead to do that. I have read every manual i have found to understand the modelation, but i still don't
find a formal explanation that can make me trust in that thing. How is the mass matrix assembled, not
lumped? How are lateral forces aplyed (accidental torsion) to a center of mass taking in acount the in-
plane deformation of elements in the diaphragm? How are the cinematic ecuations of the constraint, if
there are any?
If someone can answer me these cuestions or send a CSI document whit some aclarations, please do
so, i'll be deeply thankful.
P.S.: Sorry for my english, i don't write/speak it very frequent ;)

11:48
You don't have to assign a semi-rigid diaphragm to account for that flexibility in each floor. By default,
the program uses the stiffeness and mass of area finite elements and frame elements modeled on each
floor, and spreads mass based on material and section properties. You may or may not have to refine
your floor area mesh to create more joints in order to obtain reasonable mass distribution.
As I understand it, assignment of area "semi-rigid" diaphragms is a new option and is used for one
purpose, and one purpose only: to tell the program where the diaphragm extents are located for
automatic generation of wind loads. That's it. Assignment of semi-rigid diaphragm does not create any
rigid diaphragm at all. If you're not using auto-wind load generation based on diaphragm extents, you
don't need to make the 'semi-rigid' area assignment in order to account for flexibility of the floors, and
the program will by default use flexible diaphram based on material and section properties of what you
have modeled.
If you have doubts, simply create a simple, but irregular one or two story structure with floor areas,
beams and columns, and see for yourself the period and reactions to lateral loads, checking with and
without rigid diaphragms. After assigning rigid diaphragm, you probably already know that in order to
delete them, you'll then have to assign area rigid diaphragms again, but with diaphragm property =
none. Let us know if that answers your question.
10:16
Thanks, but i allready know everything you just explain to me. Thank you anyway. I also readed that
this semi-rigid diaphragm was only to automaticaly calculate and assign wind loads, but how are these
loads aplied to the structure? then it is no longer posible to do that at the center of mass. Does the
program automaticaly calculate how much load must be assigned to each node of the finite element
diaphragm in order to represent te total lateral force? How does it? Does it also work for static torsion
loads? Diaphragms are very usefull to assign loads representing sismic accidental torsion, thats why i'm
interested in these new diaphragms.
I want to know if someone has allready experimented with these. I will build some simple models to
experiment my self, but it's allways interesting and usefull to hear other opinions.
thank you again for answering
WillisV (Structural) 6 Nov 06

10:50
I have discussed this same issue with CSI - their answer being:
"Yes, lateral loads can be applied to semi rigid diaphragm and the load will be distributed to points
based on their stiffnesses and point locations on slab."
14:36
That's the answer i wanted to hear, thank you. I would like to have a complete explanation of how the
program does it, but this is enough for me to start testing these in simple models.
WillisV (Structural) 7 Nov 06
15:59
I would too but that's about all I could get out of them for now.
stressed (Civil/Environme) 19 Aug 06

16:35
I've recently started to work with the tension/compression limit feature, and I'd like to share some of
my experience so far, but I'd also like to hear from some of the more experienced users regarding their
suggestions in how to best use this capability.
Ok, first of all tension only starts as a frame assignment with compression limit = 0 or some small
negative number. Next, after you have your load combinations for design, go to Define>Convert
combos to nonlinear cases and select the combos (the ones with lateral loads?) to convert to nonlinear.
I am not sure if I should then delete my linear load combos (?)
Next, run an analysis, and after it's finished, go back again under Analyze menu and analyze "run static
nonlinear analysis" which can take a while to converge. Check interactive frame member forces for axial
forces to see that the braces, or whatever frames you assigned to be compression limit=0, are acting
only in tension. I see that ETABS defaults to two nonlinear steps in reporting output with different
results. Worse case final step seems to look reasonable.
I'm now trying to sort out if ETABS is designing properly with the nonlinear combos. I'm curious if those
of you with 'Plus' version have access to this tension only nonlinear analysis or is it only available with
nonlinear? I'm just getting familiar with how to use this capability, so any advice would be appreciated.
WillisV (Structural) 20 Aug 06
22:37
FAQ802-1169
masomenos (Civil/Environme) 22 Aug 06
13:50
Thanks Willis! A star for your excellent FAQ. A couple of comments though - first, tension/compression
limits seem to be working in ETABS 9, so that saves you from having to manually define nonlinear hook-
type links. Also, your suggestion in your FAQ to Define>static nonlinear/pushover cases seems to work
well, but it appears you can also use that dialogue to define combos too by adding 2 or more load
cases. In other words, the static nonlinear/pushover "case" dialogue can be used to define combos as
well as individual nonlinear load cases. There is also the alternative to Define>Convert combos to
nonlinear cases. This ETABS feature seems to work well now, although it's a little more complicated
than doing the same thing in SAP.
masomenos (Civil/Environme) 31 Aug 06
12:10
I forgot to post that I heard back from CSI technical support last week.. they confirmed that it's best to
define static nonlinear/pushover cases as "combos" rather than individual cases. Otherwise, if you don't
define as nonlinear combos, you risk getting in trouble with the + and - directions, and furthermore,
frame members assigned as tension only (compression limit = 0) may take compression unless ALL
combos are defined as nonlinear, not just lateral loads.
WillisV (Structural) 31 Aug 06
12:37
Any non-linear type of analysis should always be performed on the full combination in question as
superposition of loads is no longer valid.
joanrizu (Structural) 19 Aug 06

0:55
I am designing a building without a column in the first story. I´ve found that if I run an elastic analysis
and then I define a sequential construction case, etabs plus v.909 makes an analysis and gives results
that makes sense. But I am not sure that etabs plus results are correct, because manual refers to etabs
nonlinear when you ask about sequential construction. Could some body tell me more about this topic.
15:23
I believe you need to have ETABS nonlinear version to run a sequential construction analysis. However,
when you first install ETABS, it defaults for some time period (30 days?) nonlinear version, even if you
purchased a lesser version, or until you get a permanent license file. I assume that you went under the
Define menu to Add a sequential construction case. The thing is, with ETABS, to do sequential
construction, you must make two analyses. First run your regular analysis, then you have go back again
under the Analyze menu to run the Contruction sequence nonlinear analysis. In your situation where
you are using a tranfer girder on the first story, that is a typical application where the stage
construction might give some insightful results compared to a linear Dead case analysis. Keep in mind
that ETABS stage construction (to my knowledge) is only additive, in that you can add stories and/or
groups, but not remove elements or group as part of the sequential construction analysis. good luck.
joanrizu (Structural) 24 Aug 06
18:57
I think Etabs Plus has an open
door to the sequential analysis if you define the
dead-sq after you run the static analysis, that is the
statement I wrote by first. Please follow this steps
with any model you have: delete any dead-sq case, run
static analysis, define a dead-sq case, run the
sequential construction case, and you will obtain this
analysis run log:
Program ETABS Version 9.0.9.0 File:modelo secuencial similar al tutorial.LOG

BLOQUE 5
B E G I N A N A L Y S I S 2006/08/18 22:58:53
MAXIMUM MEMORY BLOCK SIZE (BYTES) = 31.962 MB

E L E M E N T F O R M A T I O N 22:58:53
NUMBER OF JOINT ELEMENTS FORMED = 79

NUMBER OF SPRING ELEMENTS FORMED = 0
NUMBER OF FRAME ELEMENTS FORMED = 159
E Q U A T I O N S O L U T I O N 22:58:53
TOTAL NUMBER OF EQUILIBRIUM EQUATIONS = 207

APPROXIMATE "EFFECTIVE" BAND WIDTH = 33
NUMBER OF EQUATION STORAGE BLOCKS = 1

MAXIMUM BLOCK SIZE (8-BYTE TERMS) = 6447
SIZE OF STIFFNESS FILE(S) (BYTES) = 51.191 KB
NUMBER OF EQUATIONS TO SOLVE = 207

NUMBER OF STATIC LOAD CASES = 4
NUMBER OF ACCELERATION LOADS = 6
NUMBER OF NONLINEAR DEFORMATION LOADS = 0
J O I N T O U T P U T 22:58:53
G L O B A L F O R C E B A L A N C E R E L A T I V E E R R O R S
PERCENT FORCE AND MOMENT ERROR AT THE ORIGIN, IN GLOBAL COORDINATES
LOAD FX FY FZ MX MY MZ
DEAD 3.26E-15 .000000 1.18E-13 0.478953 6.80E-14 0.015486
TRIBUTAR .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000
SX .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000
SY .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000
SPEC FX FY FZ MX MY MZ
SX .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000
SY .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000 .000000
E L E M E N T J O I N T - F O R C E O U T P U T 22:58:53
NUMBER OF JOINT ELEMENTS SAVED = 79

NUMBER OF FRAME ELEMENTS SAVED = 159
E L E M E N T O U T P U T 22:58:53
A N A L Y S I S C O M P L E T E 2006/08/18 22:58:53

BLOQUE 5
B E G I N A N A L Y S I S 2006/08/18 22:58:54
E L E M E N T F O R M A T I O N 22:58:54
NUMBER OF JOINT ELEMENTS FORMED = 79

NUMBER OF SPRING ELEMENTS FORMED = 0
L O A D R E - S O L U T I O N 22:58:54
NUMBER OF STATIC LOAD CASES = 4
E L E M E N T J O I N T - F O R C E O U T P U T 22:58:55
NUMBER OF JOINT ELEMENTS SAVED = 79

NUMBER OF FRAME ELEMENTS SAVED = 159

BLOQUE 5
N O N L I N E A R S T A T I C A N A L Y S I S 2006/08/18 22:59:28

NONLINEAR STATIC CASE = DEAD-SQ
CONTINUE FROM PREVIOUS CASE = 0

LOAD CONTROL TYPE = FORCE
METHOD TO USE WHEN HINGES DROP LOAD = UNLOAD
TYPE OF GEOMETRIC NONLINEARITY = NONE
SAVE POSITIVE INCREMENTS ONLY = YES

MINIMUM NUMBER OF SAVED STEPS = 1
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SAVED STEPS = 50
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF NULL STEPS = 50
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TOTAL STEPS = 200
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ITERATIONS PER STEP = 10

RELATIVE FORCE CONVERGENCE TOLERANCE = 0.000100
RELATIVE EVENT TOLERANCE = 0.010000

STAGE NUMBER = 1
ENTIRE STRUCTURE IS ACTIVE = NO
CHANGES TO ELEMENTS IN STRUCTURE = NONE
STEP 0
STEP 1, INCREMENT = 1.000000, SUM = 1.000000, MAX = 1.000000
Unbalance/tolerance = 4.39E-12, Iteration 1 converged

Saved as Output Step 1
TOTAL NUMBER OF CONVERGED STEPS SAVED = 1

TOTAL NUMBER OF CONVERGED STEPS NOT SAVED = 0
TOTAL NUMBER OF NULL STEPS = 0
----------
TOTAL NUMBER OF ALL STEPS = 1
TOTAL NUMBER OF ITERATIONS CONVERGED = 1

TOTAL NUMBER OF ITERATIONS DISCARDED = 0
FOR CONVERGED STEPS ONLY:
AVERAGE NUMBER OF ITERATIONS PER STEP = 1.00

STAGE NUMBER = 2
CHANGES TO ELEMENTS IN STRUCTURE = ADD ONLY

STEP 0


----------


STAGE NUMBER = 3

STEP 0


----------


STAGE NUMBER = 4
ENTIRE STRUCTURE IS ACTIVE = YES

STEP 0


----------


STAGE NUMBER = 5
ENTIRE STRUCTURE IS ACTIVE = YES
CHANGES TO ELEMENTS IN STRUCTURE = NONE
STEP 0
* * * W A R N I N G * * *
THE APPLIED LOAD IS ZERO IN NONLIN-STATIC CASEDEAD-SQ ,
THE ANALYSIS WILL PROCEED BUT THE STRUCTURE WILL NOT BE LOADED
Unbalance/tolerance = .000000, Iteration 1 converged


----------

TIME FOR INITIALIZING ANALYSIS = 0.03

TIME FOR CONTROLLING ANALYSIS = 1.14
TIME FOR FORMING STIFFNESS MATRIX = 0.07
TIME FOR SOLVING STIFFNESS MATRIX = 0.24
TIME FOR CALCULATING DISPLACEMENTS = 0.00
TIME FOR DETERMINING EVENTS = 0.00
TIME FOR UPDATING STATE = 0.04
----------
TOTAL TIME FOR THIS ANALYSIS = 1.52
qrexus (Structural) 15 Aug 06

4:06
Anybody have the Etabs version changes from v850 to v857 or greater. Please post them.
Thank you,
Regards,
Q
Diquan (Civil/Environme) 22 Aug 06
22:07
http://www.csiberkeley.com/etabsv9/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Features in ETABS Version 9
ETABS Version 9.0.0 is a new version, and is a direct upgrade from Version 8.5.6. New features include
the following:
· Added Semi-rigid diaphragm option
· Added Design output to Database
· Added Story vertical load, shear and overturning plots
· Improved plan display of most design quantities
· Improved analysis model creation time
· Enhanced Model Building of Walls with openings
· Added IBC 2003 seismic and wind loads
· Added auto-permutation of Wind directions and eccentricities
· Added Open-structure wind loads
· Added Export to SAFE V8 with poly areas
· Updated Concrete Frame Design to ACI 2005
· Updated Concrete Shearwall Design to ACI 2005
· Updated Steel design to AISC-ASD 2001 (Seismic Provisions 2002)
· Updated Steel design to AISC-LRFD 2001 (Seismic Provisions 2002)
· Updated Steel design to AISC 2005 (Not in initial release)
· Added Import/Export from Autodesk Revit Structure
· Added Import/Export from ProSteel
· Added Import/Export from IFC
· Updated CIS/2 Import/Export
· Added Import from STRUDL
· Added Import from STAAD
· Updated Help
· Updated Manuals
Diquan
shaheed (Structural) 13 May 06

8:40
As an extension to the question already asked by "Sepultura" how would one model the soil spring as
compression only - using ETABS. Any hints/thoughts would be extremely appreciated.
15:37
There is no automated way to do this like in SAFE. However, you can define Link properties, Gap type,
and do joint assignments to put them at joints on your basemat. The stiffness values for the gap links
would be determined by soil subgrade modulus, size of element and tributary area. The gap type links
are nonlinear compression only joint springs. If you can live without the nonlinear compression-only
analysis, ETABS lets you assign area springs on your basemat (modeled as slab/shell) in which you
input subgrade modulus for vertical springs. Thing is, you have to remember to restrain the basemat in
the local 1 and 2 lateral directions too, using area or joint springs or joint restraints, to prevent
instabilities.

9:49
Anybody have the Etabs version changes from v907 to v909 or greater. Please post them.
Regards,
Q
lmcid (Structural) 10 Aug 06
10:23
Significant Changes from Version 9.0.0
Changes from Version 9.0.9 to Version 9.0.9/1 (issued 07/26/2006)
- Minor modifications to Revit imports.
- Corner/Edge rebar in rectangular concrete columns can now be of different sizes.
Changes from Version 9.0.8 to Version 9.0.9 (issued 07/19/2006)
- An export capability has been added to export element connectivity to program Perform3D.
- Import of models from other programs has been enhanced.
- Minor other bug fixes and enhancements.
- The Line Constraint stiffness has been changed back to what was being used in V8. The
stiffer constraints in earlier versions of V9, even though giving better stress results, were
causing unnecessary numerical sensitivity problems in some models, especially larger ones.
- Minor modifications to Revit and IFC imports.
- Other minor design bug fixes.
- Redundancy factor Rho for seismic loads was missing from load combinations for ACI-02
and ACI-05. Corrected. These designs should be verified.
- Part of the code related to creation of analysis model has been optimized for time. Should
allow larger jobs to be run faster.
- Several new tables added to the database display.
- Interface with Autodesk Revit Structural updated.
- Interface with IFC updated.
- Import from STAAD updated.
- Changes to Steel Design based on the Chinese code.
- Other minor bug fixes to design.
- Other minor bug fixes.
Changes from Version 9.0.5 to Version 9.0.6 (multiple limited releases)
- 2GB limit on some intermediate analysis files removed. Should allow larger jobs to be run.
Changes from Version 9.0.4/1 to Version 9.0.5 (issued 04/02/2006)
- Export/Update capability added for Autodesk Revit Structural Version 3. This data
exchange is still under development. Imported/Exported models should be checked.
- Design database tables for Shearwall and Composite beam designs added.
- Other minor bug fixes and enhancements.
Changes from Version 9.0.4 to Version 9.0.4/1 (issued 03/24/2006)
- Support for Autodesk Revit Structural Version 3 (Beta) has been added. This is still under
development. Imported models should be checked. Export is currently not supported.
- Sections database for AISC 13th Edition have been added and are the new program default.
- Database display times have been significantly improved.
- A bug that in some cases caused User specified Wind Loads to diaphragms to be reset to
zero has been corrected.
- A bug that caused export to SAFE not to export slabs has been corrected.
- A bug that caused Static Nonlinear analysis results not to be available in Database view has
been corrected.
- Minor enhancements to Composite beam design.
- Minor enhancements to Line (Edge) Constraint formulation.
- A bug that caused DXF import not to work has been corrected.
- Minor enhancements to import from Autodesk Revit Structural.
- Minor enhancements to import from IFC files.
- Minor enhancements to Chinese steel design.
- Minor enhancements to database and graphic display of numerical quantities.
-
5. New Features in ETABS Version 9
ETABS Version 9.0.0 is a new version, and is a direct upgrade from Version 8.5.6. New features
include the following.
· Added Semi-rigid diaphragm option
· Added Design output to Database
· Added Story vertical load, shear and overturning plots
· Improved plan display of most design quantities
· Improved analysis model creation time
· Enhanced Model Building of Walls with openings
· Added IBC 2003 seismic and wind loads
· Added auto-permutation of Wind directions and eccentricities
· Added Open-structure wind loads
· Added Export to SAFE V8 with poly areas
· Updated Concrete Frame Design to ACI 2005
· Updated Concrete Shearwall Design to ACI 2005
· Updated Steel design to AISC-ASD 2001 (Seismic Provisions 2002)
· Updated Steel design to AISC-LRFD 2001 (Seismic Provisions 2002)
· Updated Steel design to AISC 2005 (Not in initial release)
· Added Import/Export from Autodesk Revit Structural
· Added Import/Export from ProSteel
· Added Import/Export from IFC
· Updated CIS/2 Import/Export
· Added Import from STRUDL
· Added Import from STAAD
· Updated Help
· Updated Manuals
12:14
Thank you very much.
ingemor (Structural) 8 Jul 06

21:33
A couple of days ago I posted in Murali27’s “Export from Etabs” thread in the SAFE forum more or less
the following:
I have heard that there is another trick to solve the problem of exporting spectral analysis results from
Etabs to Safe besides using equivalent static seismic load cases. I think that the idea behind the trick
could be something like this:
1.) Run a static quake and the required spectrum analysis in the same Etabs model.
2.) Analyze the different output formats for both results in exportable Safe.f2k text file.
3.) Extract the spectrum analysis results from Safe.f2k text file.
4.) Change and match format of the spectrum analysis results to the format produced by ETABS for
static quake analysis (eliminate excess data).
5.) Re-incorporate the spectral results in the modified format into the SAFE .f2k file.
6.) Delete the static quake results from that file.
7.) Import the modified f2k file to SAFE and run it.
I understand that the changing and matching format process is tedious but, again, I have heard that it
can be expedited by using Excel.
I’ll like to know comments and recommendations both from those who have used this trick or a similar
one, as well as from those who are interested in try it out. I’ll be trying it out in couple of weeks.
Regards
ingemor
DENSAL55 (Civil/Environme) 10 Jul 06
14:48
exporting spectral analysis results from Etabs to Safe for slab foundation analysis or beam foundations
analysis has no sens because results given by spectral analysis are always in absolute value this means
that they are always positive or if multiply by -1 always negative.And by this way it doen't give the
behavior of overturning effect.
14:57
There is anothere way to solve this problem.Make spectrale analysis then take sheare story result and
there position, and make a static analysis with the previous sheare story as static force in the new
analysis at there respective position, the reaction given at the base of the structure is given with there
sign, and at this point we can use this result for safe analysis or othere one.
ingemor (Structural) 12 Jul 06
21:20
Thank you DENSAL55 for your comments and recommendation.
I have limited knowledge of dynamic analysis, nevertheless I’m documenting my self to digest the
reason you posted that makes the proposed trick not viable.
As for your recommendation, its is clear and I’ll try it out.
Regards and thanks again.

ingemor
Murali27 (Structural) 21 Jul 06
10:35
Thanks DENSAL55 & Ingemor for your thoughts. Spectral story shears are considering the contribution
from all the modes. Hence, can these story shears be applied as a static force? I will also do some
comparison.
Thanks again
Murali27
12:13
It's what i say .A combination or SRSS give always an absolute value and we can't use this result for a
calculation of slabe fondation or beam fondation it can't give the overturning effect . So we can use an
equivalent static model by using story shears applied as static forces.
13:57
To confirm what i said before, you can see that Etabs use the Story shears value to calculate oveturning
moment Mx and My.
at differents levels and at the base of the structure.this overall moments is equivalents in value to those
you obtain by the equivalent static case using story shears.

15:42
Dear All
Mass moment of inertia changes with respect to mesh element size. When i take a plate of 4mx4m,
ETABS performs the analysis and MMI is 3 times more than the element when meshed 1mx1m.
Will it calculate the self weight of column/wall in the computation of MMI?
Thanks
Murali G
DENSAL55 (Civil/Environme) 17 Jun 06
4:23
Yes it will calculate the self weight of all object if the option in mass source are checked.

16:20
Thanks DENSAL55.
My question is that floor meshing makes the change in value of MMI. When it gets divided into many
parts i.e fine meshing, then the result will be close to the exact one.
Thanks again
Murali G
sepultura (Structural) 16 May 06

17:32
I want to modelate solid slab of concrete, and the program give me streess (kg/cm2), and I want to
design it with moments (kg-cm). how to realize that convertion?
DENSAL55 (Civil/Environme) 17 May 06
16:44
Go to Display >> Show Member Force/stress diagram >> Shell Stesses/Forces if we select Forces we
have All Forces M11 M22 which are out of plane moment in kg-cm/cm of lenght.
18:20
Thans DENSAL55, but my questin is: How I could do it manually, if I have not the option of M11 or
M22?
The stress (kg/cm2) I want to convert to moment (kg/m), manually. (in flexural design).
Diquan (Civil/Environme) 22 May 06
8:49
Simple:
S=(M*c)/I
S = Stress
M = Moment
c = distance from the outer fiber to the center of the member
I = inertia of the section
=======================================
Diquan
diquan@yahoo.com
Diquan (Civil/Environme) 22 May 06

8:55
... ou i forgot, when calculating the inertia in the equation:
I=b*h^3/12
"b" is 100cm or if you use inches "b" equal to 12in (1feet)
so, when calculating the amount of steel is going to give you "cm^2" for every "cm" - (cm^2/cm or
in^2/in)
=======================================
Diquan
diquan@yahoo.com

16:08
in the case of slab it is not so simple, because we have many type of stress
S11=F11/th-(12*M11/thb^3)*x3.
S22=F22/th-(12*M22/thb^3)*x3.
S12=F12/th-(12*M12/thb^3)*x3 etc...

x3 represente the variation of thickness of slab.
to obtain M11,M22 etc...

we must integrate the stress s11,s22,s12 along the thickness of the slab.
see "Internal Force and Stress Output Page 144 in the sap reference manual "
The Shell element internal forces (also called stress resultants) are the forces and moments that result
from in tegrating the stresses over the ele ment thick ness. These
internal forces are etc...
16:12
- x3 represente the variation of thickness of slab from midplan of slab to the point where the stress is
calculated .
stressed (Civil/Environme) 23 May 06

19:11
For designing the slab, don't forget about drawing section cuts to obtain resultant forces and moments
for design. If you can get a copy of SAFE, you can export the slab from ETABS to SAFE for design of
reinforcement and punching shear checks
sellsam (Structural) 2 May 06

11:06
In both ETABS and SAP2000, when I declare response spectrum case data, how to declare scale
factors, do I put scale factors in both x and y direction, or must I declare two seismic functions in x
direction with it is scale factor, and the same in y direction.
thanks.
dawn836 (Structural) 2 May 06
12:27
you should declare two functions, every direction must has its one function with its own scale factor
you may have force apllied in two directions in same function if you have to consider orthognal effects
11:05
hello and thanks dawn836,
it is more correct if we proceed with the second proposition , so we can have orthogonal effects, do not
we.
thank you
Murali27 (Structural) 12 May 06
13:32
Sellsam
Yes, if your structure calls for orthogonal effects. Otherwise, you may need to define in two principal
direction of structure to understand the distribution of modal shear.
Murali
9:48
thanks murali.
23:43
Which parameters of the soil I must to know to modelate it with springs in the ETABS?
Could you explain me?
Murali27 (Structural) 12 May 06
13:38
Sepultura
Soil springs - Structure directly on soil: Then, Subgrade modulus of soil.
-Murali
14:47
It's same as when you calculate a beam on elastical supports, you represent soil by coefficient of
reaction.
Soil - loose k=0.1-0.5 kg/cm3
- medium dense k=0.5-5
- dense k=5-10
- compact k=10-20
- hard k=20-100
you select joints at base then assign->point spring->kx ,ky,kz...etc.
You must add your fondations as a shell model (slab) the joint correspond to shell mesh.
i hope this help.

17:29
Is there any relation between coefficient of reaction (kg/cm3) of the soil and resistance soil support
(kg/cm2)?
16:55
Yes there is a relation between coeficient of reaction and resistance of soil p=-k*y
where y is the displacement
p is the pression on the soil
k is the coefficient of reaction.
DENSAL55 (Civil/Environme) 10 Apr 06
8:12
When columns and beams are modelised with Piers and Spandrels what's more than when they are
modelised by frames elements.
4:15
Normaly columns and beams are modelised with frames elements. Etabs allow modelisation of these
elements with piers and spandrels. is piers and spandrel disigned for shell elements only or not ?
Thanks.
Murali27 (Structural) 21 Apr 06
9:39
Piers and spandrels can be assigned for frame elements also.
3:16
thank you Murali27
civilhak (Structural) 31 Mar 06

6:34
hi hi.
The thing is that I made a model with rather large shell elements in ETABS that runs ok, but after
meshing the walls further to obtain more accurate results the model doesnt runs :S, an error message
says that I should check connectivity and such for element 1242, my question is, how an I find that
element quicly??
Thank you in adcane boys

regerds
civilhak
civilhak (Structural) 31 Mar 06
6:46
sorry, I forgot to say that in SAP you can select an item by "label", can´t we do that in ETABS?, do I
have to browse through the model to find my element?
regards
civilhak
0:08
Finite element numbering is being done with respect to stories that is the different from other standard
FEM softwares. Hence the same label will be repeated for all the story levels.
The only way to find the location by looking at the respective story level. In the error message, X,Y&Z
coordinates will be given and this is the way to find the location.
Hope this helps, Murali

jen4950 (Civil/Environme) 22 Apr 06
12:04
It also gives you the coordinates of the element. Turn on the area labels, and get close to it by trying to
match the coordinates in the lower right hand side of the window
rook1 (Structural) 11 Apr 06

21:50
Im a newbie on etabs.. id like to design a 5storey hotel.
the walls will be made from 10" CMU and 8" CMU on the top 3 floors.. The CMU are to carry all vertical
loads including the lateral forces.. the slab of the entire bldg is hollowcore concrete planks.
any suggestions on wat properties to assign to the wall and slab?
help much appreciated!
0:01
Hi rook1
Hollow core concrete planks -> Membrane properties
Wall -> Assigned membrane or shell properties

Can be idealized as equivalent thickness by using stiffness reduction factors.
Hope this helps,Murali

rook1 (Structural) 17 Apr 06
18:34
Can be idealized as equivalent thickness by using stiffness reduction factors <-- please be specific with
this. thanx!
i saw a post with the equivalent thickness. but the CMU we are using are 10" and 8".. the post only
mentioned 6" CMU..
should all walls be assigned pier section then be assigned as "should be checked"?
9:37
Hi Rook1
Using stiffness reduction factors, we can assign the exact properties of 10"CMU wall as a equivalent
rectangular concrete wall. (Area, Ix, Iy,etc).
Yes, we need to assign pier labels to extract the forces out and the same needs to be designed as per
CMU design procedure,
Hope this helps
ryansteel (Structural) 11 Apr 06

8:15
is there a way to modify M33 of Shell elements, for crack section requirement, or my is it logical to
modify it. i am confused
9:55
Is that for shell element or solid 3D element?
M11 - Bending x
M22 - Bending y
M12 - Warping xy
Hope this helps
DENSAL55 (Civil/Environme) 27 Mar 06

4:01
What's difference between deck and slab.
16:35
Hi Densal 55
Deck is specifically for one way spanning pre cast slabs and the rest will be slab category. In slab
category, oneway distribution can be enforced.
Hope this helps

7:04
thanks Murali27

10:46
In the results table below, I find that for the first mode the value in Ux direction and Ry are very
important nomaly only one value should be expressive.is this good result.
Mode Period UX UY UZ SumUX SumUY SumUZ RX RY RZ SumRX SumRY Su
mRZ
1 0,910045 75,2861 0,0007 0,0000 75,2861 0,0007 0,0000 0,0011 99,4974 0,005
3 0,0011 99,4974 0,0053
2 0,430470 0,0016 72,1128 0,0000 75,2877 72,1135 0,0000 98,7345 0,0011 0,08
15 98,7356 99,4985 0,0868
3 0,375553 0,0096 0,0385 0,0000 75,2972 72,1519 0,0000 0,0469 0,0081 70,906
6 98,7825 99,5067 70,9934
4 0,197741 10,2317 0,0011 0,0000 85,5289 72,1530 0,0000 0,0016 0,1217 0,008
1 98,7841 99,6284 71,0015
5 0,104799 0,0003 10,7728 0,0000 85,5292 82,9258 0,0000 0,7230 0,0000 2,889
3 99,5071 99,6284 73,8908
6 0,088809 6,1742 0,0010 0,0000 91,7033 82,9268 0,0000 0,0001 0,2856 0,0017
99,5072 99,9140 73,8925
7 0,079276 0,0003 3,0483 0,0000 91,7037 85,9751 0,0000 0,2256 0,0001 11,715
3 99,7327 99,9141 85,6078
8 0,059936 0,0001 0,1440 0,0000 91,7037 86,1191 0,0000 0,0062 0,0000 0,0271
99,7390 99,9141 85,6349
9 0,052271 3,3125 0,0002 0,0000 95,0162 86,1193 0,0000 0,0000 0,0421 0,0004
99,7390 99,9562 85,6353
10 0,048579 0,0004 4,7498 0,0000 95,0166 90,8691 0,0000 0,1507 0,0000 1,387
8 99,8897 99,9562 87,0231
11 0,038883 4,8055 0,0002 0,0000 99,8220 90,8693 0,0000 0,0000 0,0434 0,000
9 99,8897 99,9997 87,0241
12 0,036300 0,0003 2,2210 0,0000 99,8224 93,0904 0,0000 0,0687 0,0000 4,519
3 99,9584 99,9997 91,5434
Murali27 (Structural) 3 Apr 06 3:26
Absolutely good result, With the inclusion of 12 modes, modal mass participation achieved more than
90% in two translation & rotation degrees of freedom.
-Murali
DENSAL55 (Civil/Environme) 3 Apr 06 4:31
Thanks
DENSAL55 (Civil/Environme) 3 Apr 06 4:56
My question is "is it normal to find in the same mode two values with high ratio, in my case for the first
mode i have
- Ux 75,2861
- Ry 99,4974 ."
thanks.
WillisV (Structural) 3 Apr 06 7:51
That just means the first fundamental period of the building is a combined translational/torsional
mode. It is not necessarily normal or not normal - it just depends on the layout of the lateral system in
the building versus the mass distribution. You will want to make sure to design for any torsional
irregularities per code.
11:24
Thanks Willis
Hi DENSAL55
As per your results, the modes are really uncoupled. i.e the first mode Ux = 75% & Ry (Over turning
moment about y-y axis = 99.4%), Second mode Uy = 72.11% & Rx(Over turning moment about x-x
axis = 98.75%) & Third mode Rz = 71% (Torsion mode)
Hope you understand.

17:10
Thanks Murali27
dawn836 (Structural) 10 Apr 06
0:01
Murali27, what uncoupled modes mean?
Murali27 (Structural) 27 Mar 06

9:01
Dear All
In the computation of diaphram mass, the forces are not matching with the story shears. Is there any
bug in ETABS?
Thanks
Murali
11:37
Story shear is based on modal participating mass ratio, the mass is the total mass of story.You must ask
for more mode (number of mode) in calculation of your model to reach the matching value.
ryansteel (Structural) 27 Mar 06
23:56
YUP! Some code says at least 90% of total mass should participate.
Thansk a lot
Murali27 (Structural) 2 Dec 05

9:56
To All
As per ACI code, the initial stiffness modifiers are to be assingned for wall/slab/column/beam structural
elements.
Slab - 0.25 Ig
Wall - 0.70 Ig
Beam - 0.35 Ig
Column - 0.7 Ig
In ETABS
Slab -> Assigned with shell element -> M11, M22 & M12 as 0.25
Wall -> Assigned with shell element -> f11, f22,f12 are related to in-plane forces.
Do we need to apply 0.7 factor to f11, f22 & f12 (axial & shear area) ? M11,M22 & M12 are insignificant
since they affect out of plane bending forces.
Please clarify this point.
Thanks
Murali G
johnjeed (Structural) 2 Dec 05
22:04
As I understand the intention of the stiffness modifiers is to account for reduced stifffness of cracked
structural elements. I would have thought that the flexural stiffness of members (i.e. bending
properties) only would need to be modified.
9:16
Yes. Johnjeed.
You are correct. But in shear wall, the be section will undergo cracking due to in-plane moment.
How to assign stiffness modifiers for this condition? f11, f22 & f12 - 0.35Ig. But there are also related to
axial stresses.
How to go about?
Thanks
WillisV (Structural) 5 Dec 05

7:53
Typically I initially assign a 1.0 factor to f11, f22, and f12 along with a 0.01 factor to m11, m22, and
m12 (so that the shearwall essentially has no out of plane stiffness and acts as a classical in-plane only
resisting element). I then run the model and check axial stresses against the modulus of rupture to see
if the assumption that the wall is uncracked (f11,f22,f12 = 1.0) was correct. For those portions of the
wall that are cracked, I reassign with the lower 0.7 crack factor to f11,f22, and f12.
1Quique (Civil/Environme) 1 Mar 06

23:01
Try and see. Model one slab of 240x240in, 4 beams and columns. Modify m22=.01, m12=.01 (don't
use zero). Load slab with 0.4096 Kip-ft. Mesh it 6x6. Run model. See M33 on beams. See M11 vs.
M22 on slabs. Good luck
Murali27 (Structural) 2 Mar 06
4:00
Hi IQuique
Once you change the m22 modifier, the load is going to be transfered in X direction i.e along local axis
1. Please let me know what is your point here.
Hi WillisV
For serviceability studies, lower factor 0.7 crack factor would be ok. But for ultimate state (design
purpose), 0.35 would be appropriate.
Please explain with respect to ACI 10.11.1
Thanks
Murali
WillisV (Structural) 2 Mar 06
7:21
Murali - agreed my crack factors shown are for the serviceability/deflection analysis of the walls.
1Quique (Civil/Environme) 2 Mar 06
12:55
My point of view: Modifiers are very useful for driving the concrete behavior. Modifiers, concrete, steel
bars, plans details and constructor technology are necessary guests to obtain the structure born in our
mind. Then, initial modifiers suggested for ACI 10.11.1 must be adjusted when we know something
about amount of bars on concrete. Another important question. Take in mind that walls are only
connected to structure through 4 poits (or 3). In my example is impossible think in modifier m22=.01
because minimum fe2 requiered m22>.01. Forgive my english but my language is spanish. Bye
KuJayHawk (Structural) 3 Feb 06
11:55
I am working on the load rating of a historic truss bridge. All the diagonals are steel rods which can't
take any compression. I tried to use RISA but the program can't handle Tension Only (even you turn on
the Euler Buckling option) and keep the truss stable at the same time. Even worse, the program locked
almost all the truss joints due to instability but DID NOT report the lock as it normally does for other
models. I contacted the technical support at RISA and they told me the only way to let the model run is
to let every truss member carry both tension and compression. I wonder if anyone here used other
program to handle this type of problem? I have SAP2000 and ANSYS on my computer. ANSYS sure is
powerful but the problem will be with the moving load generator. How about SAP? What do you do with
tension only brace analysis uner building lateral forces?
WillisV (Structural) 3 Feb 06
19:26
Sap would be a good choice for this type of analysis, it has moving load application as well as nonlinear
nlink framing elements which can be designated as tension-only. The procedure would be similar to
that for tension only braces in ETABs per FAQ802-1169
KuJayHawk (Structural) 4 Feb 06
22:56
Thanks WillisV! I never used SAP but will give it a try. I've never had ETAB either. Seems like it is not as
simple as I thought of. No wonder RISA can't solve the problem.
useetabs (Structural) 4 Jan 06

16:56
I use etabs 8.5.6 to model a 35 story building. I model the slabs using shell and membrane and obtain
different period.
torsion x y
shell 4.6 3.5 4.15
membrane 20.3 7.5 15.6
the drafts using membrance are much larger than using shell.
please whether it makes sense or the mode has some problem?

4:28
It looks like there is a problem with local modes. Please verify that whethe you had applied rigid
diaphragm.
-Murali G
16:59
Hi Murali:
Thank you! this mode had been applied rigid diaphagm.could you give more suggestion
-useetabs
jen4950 (Civil/Environme) 25 Jan 06
2:33
This makes perfect sense. Membranes have no bending stiffness, whereas shell elements introduce the
stiffness of the slab into the system.
Be careful here- say for instance you have a shear wall primary lateral system and have the gravity
columns modeled in the ETABS model, they will attract moment and forces if connected to a shell floor
element, or if geometric or mass floor to floor inconsistencies exist and you have a rigid diaphram. The
differential intrastory movement will engage the gravity columns.
9:29
Hi,jen:
thank you. then which mode should I use to design shear wall?
21:07
Well, it depends on what type of structure you are designing. Dual system? Devil is in the details..
I'd recommend a membrane element for a strictly shearwall lateral system. There are several different
opinions about the subject though.
One guy I know would say model the whole damn thing and let the force go where it wants to; But this
is risky- if you have a flat plate system your punching shear might control the capacity of the system
and you might get unrealistic results.
Think pancake failure = bad.
But if you have a pan joist or slab and beam system, it might make sense to model elements that in
reality have the capacity and stiffness to contribute to the lateral effectiveness of the system.
"Engineering Judgement in spades."

16:27
Hi, jen:
You are right. As you said, I have a shear wall primary lateral system , the gravity columns system and
a flat plate system modeled in the ETABS model. I export the slab model with safe export option
"Export Floor Loads and Load from Above" and the punch shear obtained from safe is very large and
unrealistic. could you give me further suggestion to do the ETABS model? Thank you very much!
useetabs.
1:02
I'd model the plate as a membrane element and do the flat plate as a seperate analysis in something
like PTData or ADAPT if it is a flat PT plate.
Do not rely on the stiffness of the flat plate for your lateral system IMHO. It is very rigid in shear and as
a collector mechanism but bending is not effective. I.E. gravity- it works; stiffness in regards to the
lateral system- think paper with a toothpick thru it. It's just not realistic or safe. You don't see any flat
plate moment frames without beams- so why include them as a contributing element just because you
have shear walls?
This is the fundamental arguement for rigid diaphrams- Of course if you have a crazy geometry and
structure like I'm dealing with right now it becomes clear that a rigid diaphram just might not be
conservative.. but that's another thread all in it's own..
I'd only use the ETABS model for a gravity load takedown and column design; as well as shear walls. PT
plates are an art that is out of ETABS land.. be sure to use dedicated PT software like PTData or ADAPT.
strucengr (Structural) 14 Apr 05

17:06
How do you normally apply line load on a wall? I added a dummy frame element at the top of the wall
and applied the uniform load. However, it gives me a warning that the load has not been transfeered.
does the line's property need to be modified?
Thank you
amadeus (Structural) 15 Apr 05
15:08
Please, read one of the FAQs, it may give you the answer.
strucengr (Structural) 15 Apr 05
18:58
The FAQ dealt with slabs supported on wall. But in my case, there is no slab. The line load comes from
non-structural heavy glass.
WillisV (Structural) 6 Jun 05
10:50
Apply the actual heavy glass weight as an area load on the wall element.
14159 (Structural) 30 Jul 05
21:50
I usually either break it into nodal loads or put a fake line element along the wall and apply the load to
it.
DBD
3:15
The simple answer here is that area elements only recognize loads applied at their nodes, or on their
surface- NOT EDGES or LINES.
So if you want to get a sheet of glass that's sitting on a wall to register, the reactions from the glass
must end up at the nodes of the wall. Make a fake beam, unless you want to determine a nodal load.

8:49
To All,
In one of the structure, the fundamental mode is a torsional mode.
When i asked ETABS to perform static method as per UBC code. I assigned X direction as well Y
direction. The first three time periods are
1). T1 = 1.963 sec - Rotation

2). T2 = 0.85 sec - X translation
3). T3 = 0.65 sec - Y translation
ETABS picked up the corresponding time period T2 & T3 in the calculation of base shears. It avoids
fundamental time period T1. Is this correct?
Your input will be appreciated.
Thanks
Murali G
7:23
ETABS is correct in that it is finding the modes for each earthquake direction which have the largest
modal participation factors in that direction.
7:54
Hi Willis V
You are correct. But the modes are really coupled with respect to both the translations & rotation.
Say, T1 = 1.963 (33% - UX, 29% - UY & 17% - RZ)

T2 = 0.896 sec (1% - Ux, 10% - Uy & 30% - Rz)
Certainly we need to go for response spectrum method to capture the realistic distribution of force.
This question comes exactly in the scaling the foces with respect to static base shears. i.e scale factor.
Which time period would be realistic to calculate the static base shears?
Hope you got my point
Thanks
Murali G

7:38
Murali,
For the static method, the code is assuming a force distribution based on a perfect translational mode
shape. Technically you can just use the approximate period equation in the code and use that to
calculate the base shear, even if you do have the actual modal response of the building. I would feel
fine with using the period values ETABS gives as having the most translation modal participation in that
particular direction and ignoring coupling effects. Obviously the code approximate method ignores
them.
8:33
Hi Willis
You are correct.
In this case, as per ETABS, the demand would be 35% more than the base shear calculated from
approximate period (coupled mode).
My opinion is that the structure would behave as a coupled mode before it reaches a perfect
translational mode.
ETABS automatic calculation of time period & base shear (as per static method) needs some engineer
judgement when it comes to irregular building.
Murali G
dawn836 (Structural) 9 Jan 06 3:43
i have a question what coupled mode mean?
WillisV (Structural) 9 Jan 06
10:05
A mode shape involving both twisting/torsion and direct lateral translation.
2:36
More specifically and simply: you apply a force or excitation in the X direction, and you get resulting
forces in the X, Y and Torsional directions -> you have coupled modes.
Exciting a simple building in 1 direction will result in reactions in that direction.
shaheed (Structural) 19 Jan 06

10:10
I am trying to model a raft for a 20 story building using shell elements. I then grounded each node of
the raft mesh using "gap" link elements to model the compression only spring stiffness of the soil
support condition but there are a couple of things which dont appear to be correct with the model for
the following reasons:
1) Firstly the gap link elements seem to take tension as well as compression, which is not what I
want. I want compression only
2) I can not get a display of the forces in the link elements.
what am I doing wrong. Help please any comments/hints will be extremely appreciated
WillisV (Structural) 19 Jan 06
11:53
See my ETABS FAQ on the hoops you must jump through to make gap and hook type springs work in
ETABS. The FAQ is for tension only elements but it applies just as well to compression only:
FAQ802-1169
KenyaCragrat (Structural) 27 Dec 05

17:58
Hi, can anyone please explain why some shear wall objects on plan are not visible in the elevation of
that gridline in the adjacent window, whilst others on the same plan are visible?
I am using ETABS NL version 8.5.0. However, if I set the elevation window to 3-D view, then the
missing shear wall is visible! I have tried the mouse right-click and enabled all views, etc, but still this
problem persists! Thanks!!
8:37
Definition of grid lines to be revisited. It means that the shear wall objects not in line with the grid lines.
If this is the case, there is a option of defining developed elevation. You can use them to define grid
lines along curve.
-Murali G
KenyaCragrat (Structural) 29 Dec 05
6:25
Hi Murali, many thanks- yes, I have rechecked the gridlines, and even though the shear wall is on the
grid, it does not appear.
On a related issue, I did add a developed shear wall remote from a gridline and that did not appear as
well. Perhaps the section line needs to be exactly on the centreline of the shear wall?
Having said that, I just went back and looked at the coordinates of the wall object and they were some
3-4mm off the gridline. Correcting it sorted it out- many thanks!!
Do you know of a way to move points to nearest gridline as a menu edit item?
tab35 (Structural) 11 Oct 05

16:04
I've really just been introduced to ETABS and I was wondering if it's possible to set up individual
inclined gridlines within a system of orthogonal grids.
WillisV (Structural) 12 Oct 05
7:27
Nope.
12:21
If you convert grids to a 'general' grid system, you can then use the Draw line tool (change from Frame
type to Gridline) to draw gridlines in any skewed direction. CSI does a good job of adding useful
features, many improvements in the past 3 years or so, but they do a poor job of documenting these
features
rcampbell (Structural) 28 Nov 05
5:49
You can also specify a diagonal grid system in Etabs by basically doing exactly what you would normally
do in creating a rectangular grid system.
Simply go to edit grid system, create a new grid system (you can call it diagonal for ease of reference)
then in the Edit Grid tab click on the "locate system origin" button and here you can specify the new
origin and also the angle with which this grid system is to be located with respect to the global axis.
Then just add gridlines as per normal.
Very easy to do and most helpful for those jobs with a diagonal grid system, best advice is to have a
play with it to get the feel of it.
Hope this helps
Ryan.
mpirez (Structural) 12 Feb 04

11:07
Hi! Evertyime I run a model I get the following warning:
"***WARNING*** THE SOLUTION LOST 6.7 DIGITS OF ACCURACY FOR DOF UZ OF JOINT 11484
LOCATED AT X = 1414.000, Y = 698.444444, Z = 1056.000, STIFFNESS MATRIX DIAGONAL VALUE
= 2.6116E+10"
Why does this happen? What can I do to prevent this error?
Thanks in advance,
Monica
amadeus (Structural) 18 Feb 04
16:34
Normally, this warning messages dissapear when you mesh the shell elements into smaller pieces. Try
reducing the size of the mesh elements and that error will probably go away.
Amadeus
fafaf (Structural) 25 Feb 04
10:15
I would suggest that you check the displacements of the structure (on the display, and animating the
displacement graph in 3d makes it easier finding the members making very large displacements) and
find very large displacement.
The remedy is to introduce more restraints or connect the offending member.
I hope this helps,

andiron (Structural) 27 Jun 04
21:04
amadeus:
just getting a hang of etabs 8.2.7..and was trying with various ways of modelling slab/shear wall/wind
etc..
if one area is drawn for the whole floor (bldg has columns and c shaped shear walls ) and auto mesh
area into structure is cliecked (with say 4'X4' meshing enforecd) and voila! etabs does it..as per mr
habibulla you can enforce auto-line constrain and not worry about meshing not being compatible in the
tradional sense..in fact as per habibulla the shell stress contour may jump across elements but largely
ok..so far so good..but analysis will often yield some error due to, in my opinion, this "fudgy" meshing..
i tried inpputing random columns, with no walls, and did auto meshing and the program did not even
acknowledge if some columns where there.. irritated, i did bay-by-bay auto meshing by manually
drawing null lines connecting the columns and meshing looks much better..i merged all the areas to
make one diaphragm..results seem much better on that..
so the auto meshing isn't really auto..and meshing by the progrem is still quite often not correct...
tell me what you think about it..
ths andiron
RyanLee (Civil/Environme) 13 May 05
5:38
hi fafaf:
how are you
i had been did just as you said above, but i can't find large displacement, and the warning tell us that
it's the point ,not the member (am i right?),so i am afraid that i can't get you meanning , can you tell
me more ?
thanks a lot!
ryan
andiron (Structural) 2 Oct 05
10:45
amadeus is WRONG!!!
Murali27 (Structural) 7 Oct 05 7:27
I think that when the stiffness value is in the order of +10e6 or more, no need to worry about this.
You can check gloabl force envelope to see the percentage of error in loading.
I can see this certainly meshing problem.
Minh102 (Structural) 1 May 05

10:22
Analysing complex model in Etabs (with part of the building in model is not parallels to main axes), I
often get warning messages about losses in accuracy. I guess that the reason is Etabs' automesh
function were not working properly. How to fix this problem? Anyone have the same problem with me?
WillisV (Structural) 4 May 05
10:34
Loss of accuracy warnings are normally indicative of improper restraints (too many releases). Make
sure that your restraints are not leaving any nodes free to "spin" in the air. Loss of accuracy messages
due to automeshing are certainly possible and are normally due to tight corners etc. where ETABS is
forced to provide a very atypical (long and slender) mesh to meet the structure. Try "smoothing out"
the edge of slab of the building to avoid this problem.

9:22
WillisV, you are right. I have noticed that warning massages points to place in model where two beams
intersect with very near but not equal 90 degree. I hope next version of ETABS will have more
intelligent automesh, but now I have to draw null line to force automeshing which is really time
consuming.
Another problem is that ETABS not designs wall resisting forces acting on it surfaces, so I have to
design retaining wall at basement level manually. Is there any tip for modelling basement wall?
16:32
Minh102,
I typically design basement and retaining walls seperately from the actual analytical model. Normally
for basements the forces applied tend to balance themselves out from both sides of the building and
there is no need to carry the force in the actual model. In cases where the earth loads are coming from
only one face and cannot be effectively taken by the walls on the sides, I normally just placed the load
on a ridig diaphragm master node at the center of pressure to distribute it to the lateral system. The
actual design of basement walls is easy as they are normally treated as simply supported concrete
beams.
9:54
Thank you for sharing experience. Like you I often design basement walls as simply supported beams,
but sometimes when vertical loads are high I also check wall as columns using P-delta analysis and
design under combined load.
21:16
I agree Minh102, with high basement loads I will take a look atj more advanced P-delta analysis though
this rarely adds more than 10% or so to the controlling moment.
Another alternate is to use the ACI method for slender precast wall elements (new as of ACI-99 - in
chapter 11 on walls after the bearing wall empricial method). This method was placed into the code
due to the fact that precasters were using taller and more slender wall sections without specific
guidance for their design. Though originally inteded for precast it is equally valid for reqular walls and
is essentially a p-delta method.
NADEEM2288 (Structural) 4 Apr 05 2:27

Hi:
In ETABS when we model flat slab using template, to define drop panel area structural properties do we
define over all depth of slab i.e. from the top of slab to the bottom of the drop panel or define depth
from the soffit of the slab to the bottom of the drop panel. This confusion is because of the fact that
the program shows two overlapping slab properties at the drop panel area. Does the program add
stiffnesses of the two over lapping slabs? Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
amadeus (Structural) 15 Apr 05
15:12
In SAFE, when you define a drop panel, the drop panel properties replace the slab properties in the
drop panel area. It means that you can overlap both areas and there will be no problem. Since ETABS
floors can be exported to SAFE, I can bet that the behavior is the same.
NADEEM2288 (Structural) 19 Apr 05
5:10
Thanks Amadeus for your response. Based on research using a sample flat slab model in ETABS, the
following conclusions can be made;
ETABS flat slab modeling using templates:
Slab thickness = 8“
Drop Panel Thickness = 12” (i.e. 8” + 4”)
For the above situation, define slab property with 8” and drop property with 12” thickness. Assign
whole slab the slab property and the drops the drop property. ETABS ignores slab property as defined
for the whole slab at drop location and instead uses drop panel property. ETABS also ignores drop
panels if automatic meshing option is used.
ETABS flat slab Manual modeling:
Do not overlap slab properties in ETABS since it ignores the drop panel property and uses slab property
instead. The best way is to mesh the floor slab in such a way that it creates mesh lines at drop panel
location. Then pick up the broken drop panel areas and assign them drop panel property using full
height as 12” for the above mentioned example.
SAFE flat slab modeling:
In SAFE, in case of overlapping areas SAFE replaces slab property with the drop panel property.
efighettib (Structural) 14 Feb 05

15:17
Hello All
My question is the next: If I do a shear wall design, defining the "Pier section type" as "Simplified T and
C" I can get the Pier longitudinal reinforcing concentrated in both ends of the wall, and in the top and
the bottom of it.
My problem is that if I have 2 perpendicular walls, the Pier longitudinal reinforcing is different in each
wall (and off course, must be the same, because they are sharing the same point).
How can I get the real value for that point?. Thanks!!!
joanrizu (Structural) 19 Mar 05
9:01
I think you must define the two orthogonal walls with the same pier name. Then you must assign it a
general pier section to design it. Then your two walls will be really one wall with two orthogonal
components.
joanrizu (Structural) 27 Dec 04
15:54
I am trying to design a small residential 2 story building in high risk seismic zone, but arquitect doesn’t
want wide columns, he wants columns of the same width of the partition walls. Is possible to model the
building like a frame with some slender walls replacing columns, but with wide beams for medium
spans? Is this only a name change to avoid Code restriction about frame member dimensions? How is
the behavior of the joint beam (35 cm wide) with a very slender wall (12 cm wide)? What about the
reinforcement development at transverse beams? I am using Etabs to model the building and it seems
there is no problem with the design, but I am worried about the actual behavior of the structure.
Yameen (Structural) 18 Jan 05
12:00
What I can suggest u is to make a hoop at the junction of beam and column so that u can control the
shear coming on to column through beam, however it is practically acceptable to have slender columns
with wide beamns, as far as the transverse reinforcement of the beam is concern, u can provide
additional shear reinforcement but I can't comment how the cost will increase.
erenattos (Structural) 29 Oct 04

22:58
hi folks, i´d llike to know how can i modelate a flexible floor concrete diaphragm in ETABS
ctcing (Structural) 30 Oct 04
13:44
AS far as I know, you just need to create a shell property in "Define" "Wall/Slab/ sections"
The shell element should have the appropiate material properties and thickness
hope this can help
amadeus (Structural) 3 Nov 04

15:43
In a change from previous versions, from V7 ahead, flexible diaphragms are the default in ETABS. If
you desire a rigid diaphragm you have to define it explicitly. So, essentially, if you do nothing you will
end up with a "flexible" floor diaphragm.
Amadeus

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Bigbeam (Structural) 22 Jun 08

What am I doing wrong?

zstone (Structural) 19 Jun 08

You can internally mesh a wall element.

alexbzeta (Structural) 30 Jun 08

Anyone have any better suggestions?

Skicat (Structural) 7 May 08

Jordan2008 (Structural) 7 Jul 08 6:11

rejoicer (Civil/Environme) 22 Jul 08

Use f11,f22 and f12 on walls

zstone (Structural) 19 Jul 08

and booth cases give me diferent results,

I cant UNDERSTAND THAT

From case 2. (From Loads

zstone (Structural) 3 Jul 08

sorry for my english

Again, sorry for my english, i speak spanish.

lebanque66 (Structural) 5 Jun 08

Vonx (Structural) 31 Jan 08

Vx (story force) : Vx (section cut) = 1 : 1.03

Vonx (Structural) 2 Mar 08

aquacata (Structural) 7 Mar 08

aquacata (Structural) 9 Mar 08

I am excited that you replied my post!

cityboy (Structural) 19 Feb 08

drile007 (Structural) 25 Jan 08

I am not sure of what is the structural system in the building,

I would say, quickly calculating section properties

I was thinking about any system which is modeled by the Etabs.

Yes, its correct

GarthJ (Structural) 9 Feb 08

Skicat (Structural) 28 Jan 08

drile007 (Structural) 27 Jan 08

Thank you in advance

I'm not familar with UBC code, but

With UBC code,

Hope this helps

drile007 (Structural) 21 Aug 07

hope that helps.

Skicat (Structural) 4 Jan 08

dorinad (Structural) 8 Nov 07

any help is apreciated, especially from design practice.

scale factor "1" for N m units

doantonminhphu (Structural) 16 Nov 07

It should be in Display/Output tables...

nickershocker (Structural) 8 Nov 07

Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks anyway, ~Nick

RCraine (Structural) 25 Oct 07

Does anyone know which formula is correct?

Thanks for your help.

phuocqn (Structural) 15 Oct 07

Hope that will help you

cenju (Structural) 17 Oct 07

I have a situation here:

Your response is greatly appreciated.

drile007 (Structural) 19 Oct 07

TomKC (Structural) 12 Sep 07

TomKC (Structural) 18 Sep 07

Corey7320 (Structural) 22 Aug 07

tony19 (Structural) 29 Aug 07

I hope that helps.

CivilTanju (Structural) 6 Jul 07