ETABS Day 1 :ETABS Standalone finite element based program for analysis and design

of structures

Basic understanding of how ETABS works --- Lets understand through an

example

Step 1:File Open

Specify the height of the storey ( dont forget to input the storey heights
correctly ), no. of storeys, horizontal spacing correctly. Also check for the
units at bottom right corner.
Click Grid only

Your model/3D framework is ready. Now we specify some section and

material properties which we use for our model like beams, columns, and
concrete/steel etc.

Step 2:Now, in our problem, since we have restricted the beam section to W18,
we can give ETABS a range specific to our requirements and it selects the
beam for most efficient design
Click Define Frame Properties Click to Select the option Add auto
select Select the specific ranges of beam you want and name the
section OK

Step 3 :-

Adding line objects (which represent columns and beams) to multiple

stories
At the right bottom side of the program interface, click Similar stories
from the drop down box
Make sure the plan view is active. To review the story data, click Edit
Edit Storey data Edit storey command --- By default, the storey data is
shown by the ETABS
Now for creating columns,
Click on left hand side vertical bar, symbol showing Create columns in
the reigion..
Ensure that A-LatCol ( Automatic, Inbuilt column selection list for
lateral force resisting systems ) is selected
Here, specify the columns as per the required orientation (In this example,
end 1 columns on the right D1, D2 are rotated through 90 degrees
All the other columns are aligned at 0 degrees angle.
We can drag and select all the points where we need columns
Now, for selecting columns, click Select object Hold ctrl and then click
the points on the grid and select column in the dialog box where you get
point and column both
Click Assign Frame/Line Local Axes Select the major direction is
along Y
It will display all the columns and their alignment

(figure in the next picture)

Step 4:Now, similarly for creating beams,
Click on left hand side vertical bar, symbol showing Draw lines Check
the property of the beam as AUTOLATBM as we specified

Click on the nodes (say C1 to C2) to create the beams all along the height
of storeys
For deletion, we click Select Object Click on the beam as per the grid
number. Here we click on C2 to delete all the beams in that grid

Now, we draw the Secondary infill beams

Click on left hand side vertical bar, symbol showing Create Secondary
beams.. Check the property of the beam as A-CompBm (which
means a composite beam section )
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We can drag and select all the grids as required, which will fill with
secondary beams as shown

Go to Select Menu Intersecting Line

Select the secondary beams to be deleted. And then click Delete or Edit
Delete

Step 5 :Now we create the floors for the structure

Click on left hand side vertical bar, symbol showing Draw Areas... Then
click the nodes in clockwise direction where we need slabs/floors

Go to View Set building view options Check the box with Object fill
under special effects Check Apply to all windows click OK
Go to Define Wall/Slab/Deck sections Modify/Show sections
Change the slab depth to 3 in. OK OK
Now we add some dummy area objects, with no mass or stiffness
Click on Set elevation view on Menu Elevation OK
Click Create Areas on click Click all the bays where you need dummy
areas
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Similarly, Click Create Walls on click Click all the bays/grid where you
need dummy walls

The final 3D view and plan view look like this :-

Now we assign the loads on to the structure :-

Step 6 :- Define loads

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Menu Define Static Load Cases Now click on Live Reduced Live
in the Type drop down Modify Load
Super dead in Type drop down and give a new name say SDEAD Add
new load. Similarly, do for cladding
For Earthquake loading,
Quake in Type drop down and give a new name EQY . In Auto Lateral
Load, click IBC 2003 Add New load
With EQY highlighted, select Modify Lateral load Click Y direction OK

For wind loading ASCE 07 -02

Wind in Type drop down and give a new name WIND. In Auto Lateral
Load, click ASCE 07 - 02 Add New load
Modify Lateral Load Select Exposure from frame area and objects
Include area objects tickbox check Wind speed 100 mph OK

View of all the load cases

Step 7:Assigning the gravity loads on the structure

Check the plan view window is active, and click anywhere on the interior
of the structure
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Assign shell/area loads uniform

In the load box, press shift and double click inside it to bring the calculator
Select lb/ft enter the value 35
For live loads, follow the same way and enter its corresponding value.
Click on all the perimeter beams, and then click Assign Frame/Line
loads Distributed Cladding Units as lb/ft and enter the value (here
250 lb/ft)
Click on the plan view 3D view to show the loads on the structure

Step 8:- Create a developed elevation view on the right side of the
building to apply wind load at later time

Draw Draw developed elevation definition

Enter RIGHT in the elevations Add the elevation
In plan view Click the snap button at left bottom ON and click the
right end nodes click enter and then click elevation RIGHT
You will find the developed elevation view
It is an unfolded view of the right elevation

Step 9 :- Assigning wind loads to the two sides of building

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In the 3D view window active Click elevation grid A OK

And Assign Shell/Area loads Wind pressure coefficient (Cp = 0.8)
Check windward box is ticked OK
Similarly, do it for right elevation
And Assign Shell/Area loads Wind pressure coefficient (Cp = 0.5)
Check leeward box is ticked OK

Now for a quick review, we can check the loads using Display Show
tables Area assignments OK
Once the table is open Area wind pressure assignments

Now we can analyse our structure using Main Menu Run Analysis
After run analysis, for example, we can view the results from Display
Show member forces diagram Frame/Pier/Spandrel forces Static
Dead load Moment 3-3