Adding Sections

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The easiest way to add a section that is not in the sections library that is included with the program is to pull down the Edit menu and select Add Section.

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At this point a menu appears which allows the creattion of a section that has been, or will soon be, given a unique name. There are four Custom 1,2, or 3 menus in the group column. These are so that the sections can be grouped either according to building, material or type. If the sections are placed within any of the numbered Custom groups, the sections will always be available. If the sections are placed within the Custom section group it will be saved with the specific building. This is the best place to save the specific sections. A list of Properties must be given to tell the computer about the section that is being created. And lastly, at the bottom is a selection of Shapes. This will allow the program to render the shape if geometric properties are also inputted.

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It is advantageous to already have an idea of the name, physical and geometric properties of the new section preceeding the initiation of this phase. Pre-calculate the section properties and create a list of all of the known physical properties in similar units.

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The Propertiesbegin with the value of 0.0000 in each window. The appropriate values for the section should be typed into the window. Advance to the next field with either the mouse or the tab key. A value must not be given for each and every field in order to calculate the internal forces. The absolute minimum is to fill in fields 1 - 7 as indicated in the right window above. These are the physical properties which govern the basic structural behaviour.

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The next four lines are the geometric properties which are required in order to render the sections in 3D.

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Lines 12 and 13 are the yield and ultimate stresses for the section. Lines 14 through 17 the Section Moduli, Lines 18 and 19 the radii of gyration and Lines 20 and 21 the Plastic Section Moduli.

If you are building sections of reinforced concrete, you must first calculate the transformed sections of each section. This should be used to determine the Area, and Moments of Inertia, but the actual width and depth should be given for rendering. Make sure that you use the appropriate concrete yield and ultimate strengths! Beam calculations are much more difficult. It is suggested that the cracked section properties be calculated and used for beams. This results in greater deflections, but that cannot be avoided.