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Dear Members, I am currently designing a warehouse with a span of 125'-0". The structure is being modeled as a metal building. Deflection is within allowable limits, but 6" deflection could disrupt roof components. Reducing the deflection further makes the metal building design uneconomical. To address this, I'm planning to design truss frame for comparison. Could you please recommend a suitable type of truss to resolve these issues? Additionally, any special guidelines for truss design would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Hi there, I had the same issue, and the FEM results in tables are per unit width (1 m), so Modeled the strips with 1 m width, and the results are way much different (almost 50% less than those on fem results table !! so what would be the problem?

Did u find the proper way . what should be the modifiers for wall resisting soil load in one side of building. since its part of building what should be modifier used

N/C stands for Not Calculated. It could be due presence of line load or any structural element like beam on that joint. There is the possibility that the joint didn't have any axial load assigned. You can check for these things hopefully you will get the required output.

AoA Everyone, I need some guidance in modal Analysis. I am assigned to modal a structure in zone 2B region. After successful modelling, My first 30 modes is neither translation nor torsional. I have go through the model to find the error but it is all correct and according to the architecture plan. Can someone guide me. What should I do to make the first three modes as translation and torsional mode. My structure has 4 floors including 2 basements.

Engineering should focus more on practical experience and real-world applications, fostering a passion for innovation rather than merely preparing graduates for theoretical knowledge.

Sure! Here's a human-like reply for the forum: Has anyone come across a good video tutorial, PDF document, or any reliable source for learning the modeling of the strut and tie approach in SAP2000? I’ve been searching for some practical examples but haven’t found a clear guide yet. Any suggestions? Also, am I missing something important or making any common mistakes while using this method in SAP2000? Sometimes, it feels like I’m not getting the load distribution right. By the way, if anyone needs help with utility-related stuff, you can check out my website FESCO Bill for info about billing services!

Hi all, Did u all encounter this kind of error before in etab? I tried to figure out and cannot solve it. If anyone hv solution kindly let me know . Thanks, Thinn

Hi, You can add two columns at ends of window where circles are marked and add beams, one beam could be cantilever and other can rest on it or both beams could be cantilever.

Hi, if RC column you go use maximum reinforcement or can use composite section with W section steel member.

Yes Hamza, Discussion on forums is more productive and could be retrieved later for review or further improvement, Watsapp groups are also good but not that beneficial.

interested to learn

For a composite structure i.e load bearing structure (Residential B+G+1ST) For the corner window, there is no vertical member i.e column, the beam is supported just on a 9” solid load-bearing wall at the lintel level i.e below the slab at the door level, is this arrangement of cantilever beams works??

What can be done of the axial load of a column exceeds limit and the size of the column cannot be increased?

I hope you are doing well. I am performing NL dynamic analysis by using Sap2000. I am using a macro modeling approach for the infill walls. for the infill walls, I am using the link element approach and I am stuck on the point of "how to design force displacement curve in the link element ? I have read a couple of research papers and also saw some books but I am still finding difficulties regarding this hinges. if you have time can we have a little discussion on this?

I'm having a hard time understanding this table. My supervisor said the sum of Ux Uy Uz Rx Ry Rz for the first three mode should be 100% but now it is not. Also for the first three mode there should be at least one cell from Rx Ry Rz to be a relatively large number respectively. Could anyone help me with that please!

I have been a regular user of this forum and have learned a lot of topics and concepts from the discussions led by our seniors. However, it seems that over the past two years, the activity on this forum has decreased due to the creation of WhatsApp groups for structural engineering discussions. While WhatsApp groups provide quick answers, they lack proper documentation. Discussions on WhatsApp quickly vanish in the chat history, whereas this forum maintains a record of valuable discussions. Engineers may ask questions in WhatsApp groups for quick responses, but continuing the discussion on this forum ensures that valuable insights are documented and accessible for current and future reference.

Define the Building's Thermal Loads in ETABS: Start by defining the thermal loads that your building will encounter. These include solar radiation, internal heat gains, and external temperature variations. In ETABS, go to Define > Load Patterns, and create new load patterns for each type of thermal load (e.g., solar, internal). Assign Thermal Loads to Elements: Assign these thermal loads to relevant structural elements (walls, floors, roofs) by going to Assign > Loads > Surface Loads or Assign > Loads > Frame Loads. Adjust Material Properties for Thermal Analysis: Ensure that the material properties reflect thermal characteristics. This involves setting thermal expansion coefficients and heat capacities. Go to Define > Material Properties, and adjust these settings accordingly. Element Modifiers for Accurate Analysis: Adjust the element stiffness and strength modifiers to account for the effects of thermal loads. This is crucial for an accurate representation of how the structure behaves under thermal stress. In ETABS, use Assign > Frame > Frame Property Modifiers or Assign > Shell > Shell Property Modifiers to tweak these values. Thermal Load Combinations: Create load combinations that include thermal loads. Go to Define > Load Combinations, and include the thermal load patterns you defined earlier. This helps in evaluating the structure under combined load effects. Run the Analysis: Perform the analysis in ETABS to understand the thermal effects on your structure. Review the results for any significant stresses or deformations caused by thermal loads. Thermal Effects on Foundation - SAFE: Export the thermal load effects to SAFE for foundation analysis if needed. This is particularly important for understanding how thermal expansion and contraction affect the foundation. In SAFE, apply the thermal load effects to the foundation elements and run the analysis to ensure stability and performance. Remember, precise Construction Estimating must consider thermal loads to ensure the building's safety and comfort. This approach not only enhances the building's performance but also provides a comprehensive cost estimation. Feel free to reach out if you need more detailed steps or examples. Happy designing!

What is the meaning of N/C to check joint shear in ETABs?

I'm designing a structure using ETABS 20 following Indian Standard. The reinforcement is exceeding maximum limit on ground floor. The column size is 20"x20". The problem didn't get solved even if I increased the column size. I need to include a shear wall here too. How can I solve this?

A building is designed individually dividing it into two towers considering an expansion joint is required, one building is translational in X- direction in the first mode and the other is translational in Y- Direction in the first mode. How can I check if the two towers of the building collide or not? if it collides, How can we mitigate the problem?

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Is it a software issue that when I create reference points in ETABS 2016 for modeling of the lift core walls somehow they go disappear although i see their definition in the Edit grid system/refence points and also even i move my mouse cursor over them ETABS shows refence points exist but they dont appear as points for facilitating the modeling process

AOA dear friends, I have Etab Version 2017 . When I am designing a building after the assigning of material properties and loads but my Etab software can not Run the Analysis.if I run analysis it remains as it is ,niether show me a deformed shape nor any other changing,nor animated shape option appear in the taskbar meny.and also in the upper tab deformed shape diagram is not working.I have tried in differnt ways step by step using as it is youtube designing videos nothing done any error but those analysis were run and my analysis could not run.Kindly need help .0333-3551121 my cell No.Thanx