To define and assign the various sections and loads in ETABS.

Defining and Assigning Various Sections and Loads in ETABS

This guide will walk you through the process of defining structural sections (e.g., beams, columns, slabs) and assigning loads (e.g., dead, live, wind, seismic) in ETABS.

Step 1: Define Structural Sections

1.1 Define Beam Sections

1. Go to Define > Section Properties > Frame Sections.
2. Click Add New Property.
3. Choose the type of section (e.g., Rectangular, Circular, or User-Defined).
4. Enter the dimensions (e.g., width = 300 mm, depth = 500 mm).
5. Assign material properties (e.g., concrete grade M25).
6. Click OK to save the section.

1.2 Define Column Sections

1. Go to Define > Section Properties > Frame Sections.
2. Click Add New Property.
3. Choose the type of section (e.g., Rectangular, Circular, or User-Defined).
4. Enter the dimensions (e.g., width = 400 mm, depth = 400 mm).
5. Assign material properties (e.g., concrete grade M25).
6. Click OK to save the section.

1.3 Define Slab Sections

1. Go to Define > Section Properties > Area Sections.
2. Click Add New Property.
3. Choose the type of section (e.g., Slab).
4. Enter the thickness (e.g., 150 mm).
5. Assign material properties (e.g., concrete grade M25).
6. Click OK to save the section.

Step 2: Assign Sections to Structural Elements

2.1 Assign Beam Sections

1. Select the beams in the model (use the Select Beam tool).
2. Go to Assign > Frame Sections.
3. Choose the beam section you defined earlier.
4. Click OK to assign the section.

2.2 Assign Column Sections

1. Select the columns in the model (use the Select Column tool).
2. Go to Assign > Frame Sections.
3. Choose the column section you defined earlier.
4. Click OK to assign the section.

2.3 Assign Slab Sections

1. Select the slabs in the model (use the Select Area tool).
2. Go to Assign > Area Sections.
3. Choose the slab section you defined earlier.
4. Click OK to assign the section.

Step 3: Define Loads

3.1 Define Dead Load

1. Go to Define > Load Patterns.
2. Click Add New Load Pattern.
3. Enter the name (e.g., Dead Load).
4. Set the type to Dead.
5. Click OK.

3.2 Define Live Load

1. Go to Define > Load Patterns.
2. Click Add New Load Pattern.
3. Enter the name (e.g., Live Load).
4. Set the type to Live.
5. Click OK.

3.3 Define Wind Load

1. Go to Define > Load Patterns.
2. Click Add New Load Pattern.
3. Enter the name (e.g., Wind Load).
4. Set the type to Wind.
5. Click OK.

3.4 Define Seismic Load

1. Go to Define > Load Patterns.
2. Click Add New Load Pattern.
3. Enter the name (e.g., Seismic Load).
4. Set the type to Quake.
5. Click OK.

Step 4: Assign Loads

4.1 Assign Dead Load

1. Select the structural elements (e.g., beams, columns, slabs).
2. Go to Assign > Area Loads > Uniform.
3. Enter the magnitude of the dead load (e.g., 5 kN/m² for slabs).
4. Click OK.

4.2 Assign Live Load

1. Select the structural elements (e.g., slabs).
2. Go to Assign > Area Loads > Uniform.
3. Enter the magnitude of the live load (e.g., 3 kN/m² for residential buildings).
4. Click OK.

4.3 Assign Wind Load

1. Go to Define > Wind Load Cases.
2. Specify the wind parameters (e.g., wind speed, exposure category).
3. Click OK to generate the wind load.

4.4 Assign Seismic Load

1. Go to Define > Response Spectrum Cases.
2. Specify the seismic parameters (e.g., zone factor, soil type).
3. Click OK to generate the seismic load.

Step 5: Verify and Analyze

1. Go to Analyze > Run Analysis.
2. Check for errors or warnings in the analysis.
3. Review the results to ensure the model behaves as expected.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this practical, you will:

• Understand how to define and assign structural sections in ETABS.
• Learn how to define and apply various types of loads.
• Gain hands-on experience in creating a complete structural model.