User Interface

One Window, Many Views

ETABS offers a single user interface to perform: Modeling, Analysis, Design,
Detailing, and Reporting. A new model explorer is available for quick access to
objects, properties, and forms.

Redesigned User Interface

Navigate Quickly

Users now have no limit on the the number of model windows and views for model manipulation and data
views.

The ETABS model explorer greatly enhances the user's ability to manage the data in their model. Users can
define, duplicate, and modify properties in groups. Drag and drop properties right onto the models for
assignment. User defined displays can be easily setup in the model explorer to for quick navigation.

Hardware Accelerated Graphics

Direct X graphics with hardware accelerated graphics allow for navigation of models
with fly-throughs and fast rotations.

Modeling
Templates
ETABS has a wide selection of templates for quickly starting a new model. At this
model template stage, the user has the ability to define grid and grid spacing, the
number of stories, the default structural system sections, default slab and drop panel
sections, and uniform loads (specifically dead and live loads).

Model Views
View and manipulate analytical model with great precision. Plans and Elevation views
automatically generated at every grid line. Easily define custom views and cutting
planes to view and manipulate complex geometry with ease.

Analytical Model Views

Physical Model Views

Analytical model views display the finite element model of the structure which is made up of the the
connectivity of the joints, frames, and shells and defined meshing.

Physical model views accurately display cardinal insertion points, local axes rotations, wall junctions, and
geometry.

Grid Systems
In ETABS, grids can be defined as cartesian, cylindrical, or general free-form grid
systems. There is no limit to the number of grid systems in a model, and they can be
rotated in any direction or placed at any origin within the model.

Drawing Tools
Many drawing and drafting utilities are built into ETABS to enhance the engineer's
modeling experience. Users will find that many of the common industry standard
shortcuts and controls are also available in ETABS.

Intelligent Snaps

Architectural Tracing

Intelligent snaps make model generation simple by automatically detecting intersections, extensions, parallels,
and perpendiculars. Drawing helper tools will show physical extrusions even when in analytical draw mode.

Easily import an architectural DXF/DWG into the background of the ETABS modeling window and use it as a
template to trace over to help you create your model. Turn layers on and off to easily pick which layer(s) you
want to see. You can also right button click on an element to quickly convert an area into an ETABS structural
object.

Plans and Elevations

Plan and elevation views are automatically generated at every grid line to allow for
quick navigation of the model. Users can create their own elevation sections by using
our Developed Elevation feature.

Plan and Elevation Views

Developed Elevations

When in a 2D view, see arrow buttons to quickly move from grid line by grid line. A transparent plane will be
show in the 3D view to show you exactly which elevation or plane you are looking at in the model.

Developed elevations can elevate any drawn path on a plan view. This is particularly useful for elevating a
facade that takes a very unique shape. Once the developed elevation is drawn, it will then be added to the list
of elevations in the model.

Interactive Table Data Editing

ETABS data can be viewed and edited using on-screen dockable tables. This is quite
useful for defining a model from spreadsheets or viewing analysis or design results.

Meshing Tools
Engineers have many options when it comes to mesh generation in ETABS. Simply
select the area object and then select the rules for the automatic mesh generator to use.

Object Based Meshing

External Meshing
Line Constraints

Object meshing is automated based on maximum element size. The mesh will always be parallel and
perpendicular to longest edge, grid system, or area local axes and aims to maintain good element aspect ratios.

Users also have the option to manually mesh objects into the model. This is referred to as external meshing.
The results in a one-to-one correspondence between object and elements.

The Automatic Edge Constraint is an internal algorithm that will address the issue of mismatched meshes. For
example, if the nodes of a ramp and a wall do not match up, ETABS will internally connect all mismatched
meshes using a special joint interpolation algorithm to act as a zipper between the elements.

Building Components
Towers
Multi-tower buildings can now easily be modeled by using the new tower feature.
Defining towers in an ETABS model allows users to define unique story levels and
grid systems for different building structures within the same ETABS model. For
example, ETABS models can share a podium level and then separate into towers on
higher floors.

Beams, Columns, Braces

In ETABS, beams, columns, and braces are frame elements that can be straight or
curved. They are used in a general, three-dimensional, beam-column formulation
which includes the effects of biaxial bending, torsion, axial deformation, and biaxial
shear deformations. Intermediate joints will automatically be generated where other
members intersect with the frame to ensure finite element connectivity.

Section Properties
ETABS has a built-in library of standard concrete, steel, and composite section
properties of both US and International Standard sections. Even non-prismatic and
built up steel sections can be easily defined. Use our Section Designer for more
complex sections.

Shells (Walls, Floors, Ramps)

Shell elements are used to model walls, floors, and ramps. A layered shell element has
been added in ETABS that considers mixed material composite behavior, as well as
nonlinear material behavior options for each layer based on stress-strain, with
shearing behavior considered for rebar layered shell sections.

Shear Walls

Wall Stacks
Piers and Spandrels

Customizable wall configuration templates help you define your wall section properties with ease by drawing
multilevel wall configurations in a single click. When you draw walls using the wall stack, all pier and
spandrel labeling is automatically assigned.

Pier and spandrel labels produce integrated shears and moments for design purposes, for walls modeled with
area finite elements. For example, an assemblege of 20X20 meshed shear wall areas could have results
displayed and reported as if it were a single column.

Link Elements
ETABS has a many different link elements available for users to accurately represent
the behavior of a structure. Link elements types include Linear, Multi-linear Elastic,
Multi-linear Plastic, Gaps, Hooks, Dampers, Friction Isolators, Rubber Isolators, T/C
Isolators, and Triple Pendulum Isolators.

Hinge Properties
Users can create and apply hinge properties to perform pushover analyses in ETABS.
Nonlinear material behavior in frame elements (beam/column/brace) can be modeled
using fiber hinges. Mixed materials, like reinforced concrete, and complex shapes can
be represented. Yielding, cracking, and hysteresis behavior can all be captured using
hinge properties.

Floor Diaphragms
Rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible floor diaphragms can be defined in ETABS.
Diaphragms can be assigned to joint objects or area objects.

Loading
Automated Code Based Loading
ETABS will automatically generate and apply seismic and wind loads based on
various domestic and international codes.

Seismic
Wind

Supported codes included in ETABS

ASCE 7-10
ASCE 7-05
ASCE 7-02
AS/NZS 1170 2002
GB50011-2010

Eurocode 8 2004
IS 1893 2002
Italian NTC 2008
NBCC 2010
NBCC 95

NBCC 2005
Turkish Seismic Code 2007
NZS 1170 2004
BOCA 96
NEHRP 97

UBC 94
UBC 97
UBC 97 Isolated

Supported codes included in ETABS

ASCE 7-88
ASCE 7-95
ASCE 7-02
ASCE 7-05
ASCE 7-10

AS/NZS 1170.2:2002
GB50009-2012
Eurocode 1 2005
Indian IS875:1987
Italian NTC 2008

NBCC 2010
NBCC 95

NBCC 2005
Turkish TS 498-97
BOCA96

BS 6399-95
Mexican
UBC 94
UBC 97

Point, Line, Area, and Thermal Loads

ETABS is robust when it comes to assigned loads. Uniform or non-uniform surface
loads can be assigned in any direction, not just gravity. Uniform or trapezoidal loads
can be defined on lines in any direction. Thermal load can be assigned to joints, lines,
and areas.

Cladding
Automatically add analytical cladding to entire structure for loading purposes.

Live Load Reduction

Live-load-reduction factors may be assigned on a member-by-member basis. This
may be done either within the graphical user interface, once design is complete, by
right-clicking on a member, or it may be done using interactive database editing.
Supported codes and user defined types included in ETABS

ASCE 7-95
ASCE 7-05
ASCE 7-10
AS/NZ 1170.1-2002

Chinese GB 50009-2012
Eurocode 1991:2002
Hong Kong COP 2011
IS 875-1987

NBCC95
NBCC2005
NBCC2010
UBC97

User Parameters (per Section 1607.5, UBC 1997)

User Defined Curves (By Tributary Area)

User Defined (By Stories Supported)

ETABS dynamic analysis capabilities include the calculation of vibration modes using
Ritz or Eigen vectors, response-spectrum analysis, and time-history analysis for both
linear and nonlinear behavior.

Dynamics Overview
Response Spectrum Analysis

Time History Analysis

Eigen-vector modal analysis finds the natural vibration modes of the structure, which can be used for
understanding the behavior of the structure, and also as the basis for modal superposition in response-spectrum
and modal time-history load cases. Ritz-vector modal analysis finds the optimum modes for capturing
structural behavior in response-spectrum and modal time-history load cases, and is more efficient for this
purpose than Eigen-vector analysis.

Response-spectrum analysis determines the statistically likely response of a structure to seismic loading. This
linear type of analysis uses response-spectrum ground-acceleration records based on the seismic load and site
conditions, rather than time-history ground motion records. This method is extremely efficient and takes into
account the dynamical behavior of the structure.

Time-history analysis captures the step-by-step response of structures to seismic ground motion and other
types of loading such as blast, machinery, wind, waves, etc. Analysis can use modal superposition or directintegration methods, and both can be linear or nonlinear. The nonlinear modal method, also called FNA for
Fast Nonlinear Analysis, is extremely efficient and accurate for a wide class of problems. The directintegration method is even more general, and can handle large deformations and other highly nonlinear
behavior. Nonlinear time-history analyses can be chained together with other nonlinear cases (including staged
construction) addressing a wide range of applications.

P-Delta
P-delta analysis captures the softening effect of compression and the stiffening effect
of tension. A single P-delta analysis under gravity and sustained loads can be used to
modify the stiffness for linear load cases, which can later be superposed.
Alternatively, each combination of loads can be analyzed for full nonlinear P-delta
effects. P-delta effects are included for all elements and are seamlessly integrated into
analysis and design.

Buckling
Linear (bifurcation) buckling modes of a structure can be found under any set of
loads. Buckling can be calculated from a nonlinear or staged-construction state. Full
nonlinear buckling analysis is also available considering P-delta or large deflections
effects. Snap-through buckling behavior can be captured using static analysis with
displacement control. Dynamic analysis can be used for modeling more complex
buckling, such as follower-load problems.

Pushover
Pushover analysis features in ETABS include the implementation of FEMA 356 and
the hinge and fiber hinge option based on stress-strain. The nonlinear layered shell
element enables users to consider plastic behavior of concrete shear walls, slabs, steel
plates, and other area finite elements in the pushover analysis. Force-Deformation
relations are defined for steel and concrete hinges.

Time Dependent
Incremental construction sequence modeling and loadings can be modeled in ETABS.
Nonlinear effects can be considered such as large deflections, yielding, and gap
opening and closing. Time-dependent creep, shrinkage, and strength-change effects
will all so be taken into account.

Construction Sequencing
Creep and Shrinkage

Users can add arbitrary loading sequences at various points to simulate real life construction conditions.

Long term deflections due to creep and shrinkage can be computed along with staged sequential construction
analysis. Time dependent material properties are based upon the 1990 edition CEB-FIP code and user defined
curves are used to compute creep strains.

Load Cases and Combinations

ETABS allows for an unlimited number of load cases and combinations. Load
combination types include linear additive, envelope (min/max), absolute add, SRSS,
and range combinations. Combination components can include other combinations.

Model Alive
For small to medium sized structures, analysis can be performed on the fly as you
build and modify the model. For each change you make to the geometry, properties,
or loading, the structure instantly responds with the new deformed shape, moment
diagram, or any other plot of results. Its like working with a live model, and it is a
very powerful tool for conceptual design and for testing "what-if" scenarios.