Etabs Guide

How to Model and

Analyze Structures Using

ETABS

Prepared by: Yamen Ammar Dannan

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Prepared by Yamen Dannan For more questions [email protected]

Steps for

ETABS 2013

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Install ETABS 2013

Open ETABS

MAIN STEPS

1. New Model

Press (File -> New Model)

Choose the following settings

Design the (Grid Only) according to building plan of beams. (Spacing

method). It is better to fill the uniform grid spacing, and then modify it with the

custom grid.

Define story data (similar stories, heights). It is advised to fill in the simple

story data, and then modify it using the Custom story.

Press Ok. The project is ready to start.

2. Define Materials Steel and Concrete from (Define -> Material Properties) Use default

numbers (only change Strength of concrete(Fc) if needed)

Note: (4000psi is the Concrete), and (A992fy50 is the Structural steel), and

(A615Gr60 is the Rebar Steel).

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3. Define your Beams/Columns (Define -> Section property-> Frame Sections)

Press Add new Property

Choose section shape

Name the section

Choose material (4000psi)

Define Dimensions

Press Modify/Show Rebar button -> If its a column, you can choose the

reinforcement, and choose to be checked, or leave it as default and choose

Choose section type (Beam or Column)

FOR BEAMS (Special Purpose): Set Modifiers as shown

FOR COLUMNS (Special Purpose): Set Modifiers as shown

Repeat steps for as many beams/columns as required

4. Define your Slabs (Define -> Section property-> Slab Sections -> Add new Property)

Modeling type (Shell - Thin)

Type -> Slab and choose required thickness.

FOR SLABS (Special Purpose): Set Modifiers as shown

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5. Define your Walls (Define -> Section property-> Wall Sections -> Add new Property)

Modeling type (Shell - Thin)

Choose thickness.

FOR SHEAR WALLS (Special Purpose): Set Modifiers as shown

Make sure you select the correct type of adding, depending on modeling choice.

6. Realistic View: To get a visible view of the building components while drawing, go to

(View -> Set display options -> check (Object fill + Extrusion)

7. Start drawing columns (Draw ->Draw Beam/Column/Brace -> Quick Draw Columns)

then select the previously defined Column from the (Property Drop list).

And start placing them on the Master story. Or by dragging the cursor over all the

nodes which have columns to be placed on them

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8. Draw the beams (Draw ->Draw Beam/Column/Brace -> Draw Beams/Columns/Braces)

then select the previously defined beam sections from the (Property Drop list).

Start drawing the beams extending from corner to corner, depending on required design.

IMPORTANT NOTE: after youre done drawing Columns and Beams, It is essential

to release the moments at the end of continuous beams, to make them semi-

rigid.Being Fully Rigid decreases the negative moment at the middle supports,

which results in wrong design.

The Solution is to release the edge moments, and apply them as a point Moments.

As shown in the following diagram.

which is done by selecting the continuous beams which have fixed ends, and going

to (Assign -> Frame -> Release ->

Then select the end (Points) and go to (Assign -> Joint/Point Loads -> Force ->

select LIVE -> Fill in MOMENT GLOBAL XX AND YY, with M =

.

Where w is the standard live load which you transfer on the beam as KN/m. (THIS

MOMENT IS RELATIVELY SMALL, AND THIS STEP CAN BE PARTIALLY

NEGLECTABLE IF YOU KNOW HOW MUCH EDGE REINFORCEMENT YOU

SHOULD USE)

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1

Ref:(ACI-318-11, Section 8.3.3)

9. Draw the Slabs on the plan view (Draw -> Draw Floor/Wall objects -> Quick Draw

Floor/Wall) then select the previously defined slab from the (Property Drop list). And start

placing them on the Master story. And fill the openings with the Opening Property

from drop list.. Or use the mouse dragging method to draw multiple Slabs on all Areas

within the selection.

10. Draw the Shear walls on the plan view (Draw -> Draw Floor/Wall objects -> Quick Draw

Walls) then select the previously defined wall from the (Property Drop list).

Dont draw beams and columns; in the same places you draw shear walls.

Overlapping causes wrong designs.

Further Modeling Notes:-

11. Meshing: An important Slab related modification is called Meshing which is breaking

the slab into small segments, to get a more accurate analysis and for the finite element

method to act correct. This is done by (Select -> Select -> by Object type -> Floors ->

Select -> close) then (Edit -> Edit Shells -> Divide Shells -> change the numbers into 4

by 4 Areas.

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Assigning Loads on model

12. Define Loads: Go into (Define -> patterns)

Dont change the dead and live load, (dead load will be automatically calculated by

ETABS, and live will be assigned manually by us).

Add a new kind of load by writing into the empty box (Super) and Choose (Super

Dead) from the drop list -> set weight multiplier to 0 -> press Add/new Load.

Add another kind of load called Wall with same options as Super.

Press Ok to close the window.

13. To add live load, check the local standard depending on the building purpose. And

follow these steps:

(Select -> Select -> by Object type -> Floors ->Select -> close)

(Assign -> Shell Loads -> Uniform)

Load case: Live -> Load = from standard (ignore number is the picture) ->

Direction: Gravity -> Ok.

14. To add wall load, calculate the wall load per meter, and apply it as follows:

Wall Load per meter = 1.7 Ton/m3 x 9.81 x Story height x Wall thickness = KN/m.

(Select the beams that have walls on them).

(Assign -> Frame loads -> Distributed)

Load case name : Wall -> Load = Wall Load per meter ( calculated, ignore number in

picture)

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15. To add super imposed load, check the local standard depending on the building

purpose. And follow these steps:

(Select -> Select -> by Object type -> Floors -> Select -> close)

(Assign -> Shell Loads -> Uniform)

Load case: SUPER -> Load = from standard -> Direction: Gravity -> Ok.

16. To add wind load, follow the following steps:-

IMPORTANT NOTE: Use UBC-97 For wind and earthquake loads.

Go into (Define -> load patterns)

Add a new kind of load by writing into the empty box (WINDX) and Choose (WIND)

from the drop list -> set weight multiplier to 0 -> press Add/new Load.

Press on the WINDX that was added into the list, and click Modify Lateral Load

button

Keep the values default, and only change the Wind speed and exposure Type,

according to your country standard, and press OK.

Add another new load by writing into the empty box (WINDY) and press Add/new

Load.

Press on the WINDY that was added into the list, and click Modify Lateral Load

button

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Only change the Angle from its default value to 90 and keep the rest as WINDX.

17. To add earthquake load, follow the following steps:-

Go into (Define -> Patterns)

Add a new kind of load by writing into the empty box (EQX) and Choose (QUAKE)


Press on the EQX that was added into the list, and click Modify Lateral Load button.

Choose X Dir + Eccen Y and change the over strength factor according to the

standard or simply use 4.5 for general cases. And Press OK.

Add a new kind of load by writing into the empty box (EQY) and Choose (QUAKE)


Press on the EQY that was added into the list, and click Modify Lateral Load button.

Choose Y Dir + Eccen X and change the over strength factor according to the


By The end of adding loads, you should have this.

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Creating Load Combination

18. To add load combinations, preform the following steps:-

Go to (Define -> Load Combinations)

Add a new combo.

Name the combo, and select Add.

Choose a case, and input the scale factor, and press add.

Choose another case, and input its scale factor, and press add.

Press Ok.

Repeat the steps by adding a new Combo, for as many combinations as required by

standard.

You can use the auto generated load combinations from (Define -> Load

Combinations -> Add default design combos -> choose according to model

characteristics -> Press Ok)

Meshing the Shear walls

19. Meshing the shear walls is very important for a more realistic

analysis, and effective design, it requires some effort to be

done, but can be fairly easy using these steps:-

(Select -> Select -> by Object Type -> Walls -> Select)

(View -> Show selected objects only)

Go to 3D view

Use the cursor and drag to select all the shear walls in

the drawing

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(Edit -> Edit Shells -> Divide Shells -> change the numbers into 3 by 1 Areas.)

After meshing all the walls, go to 3D view; select all of the walls near each other,

(walls that transfer loads to each other vertically), by dragging across them as

shown in the picture

(Assign -> Shell -> Pier Label -> select P1 ->Apply -> Ok)

Repeat these steps for other wall collections required and assign them to new

Piers as well (example P2, P3 etc.)

Once done(View -> Show all objects)

Assigning Diaphrams

20. Assigning Diaphram is a meant to make a single story rigid, to transfer lateral load

through all of it sides, such as wind load or seismic load.

(View -> set 3D view -> Press xz -> (Aperture = 0)

Select the first floor from dragging the cursor from left to right, as shown.

(Assign -> Shell -> Diaphrams -> D1 -> ok)

Select the second floor similar to method used

for first floor.

(Assign -> Shell/Area -> Diaphrams -> Modify

show definitions -> Add New Diaphram-> Ok -> select the new created Diaphram

-> then Ok)

Repeat for desired number of stories.

When you have two or more separate structures, with some floors separated.

Make sure you do the assign floors as different Diaphrams

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Offsetting and Rigidity Modifications

21. When drawing beams/columns/walls/slabs they are drawn from center line to center line,

which makes an overlap whenever two sections are joined. To fix this we apply the

following:-

(Select -> Select -> All)

(Assign -> Frame -> End (Length) offsets.)

Leave the default setup as it is

Press Ok

22. In real life, the beams and columns arent 100% fixed; they have a limited degree of

flexibility which ETABS doesnt consider unless we change the following.

(Select -> by Line object type -> Beam -> Ok.)

(Assign -> Frame -> End (Length) offsets.)

Change the Rigid Zone Factor to (0.5).

Press Ok

Auto line constraint

23. It is essential to merge the mesh lines in order to transfer loads equally in a realistic way,

therefore this step should be done in the end before the start of any analysis.

(Select -> Select -> All)

(Assign -> Shell/Area -> Auto Line constraint)


Press Ok

Wrong Diaphram

Correct Diaphram

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Sequential construction

24. In real life, construction of the building is done on steps, usually (floor by floor), so the

appliance of load isnt sudden, to simulate such real life case, we add a sequential

construction case by:-

(Define -> Auto Construction Sequence case)

Check the Replace Dead Type Load cases with this load case. As True.

Press Ok.

The Analysis

25. Once done of the all the steps, you can start running the analysis.

(Analyze -> Run Analysis)

This may take several seconds to minutes.

(Design -> Concrete Frame Design -> Start Design/Check)

(Design -> Shear Wall Design -> Start Design/Check)

(Detailing -> Start Detailing)

Once done, you can show the following results:-

o Show deformed shape due to any load case or combination you choose

o Right click any beam in the model, to view, Shear/Moment diagrams. And

observe the maximum values, and design for them.

o Show result tables, and generate a report of them.

o Display ratio of steel required in each reinforced beams, shear walls, and

columns

o Display suggested sections for steel beams.

o Display maximum deformations.

o Display Slabs Stress diagrams as a contour sketch.

o Display detailed shear wall reinforcement and rebar spacing.

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Steps for

ETABS 9.7.4

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Install ETABS 9.7.4

Open ETABS

MAIN STEPS

26. New Model

New model initialization (Press No)

Choose project units (KN/m)

Design the (Grid Only) according to building plan of beams. (Spacing

method). It is better to fill the uniform grid spacing, and then modify it with the

custom grid.

Define story data (similar stories, heights). It is advised to fill in the simple

story data, and then modify it using the Custom story.

Press Ok. The project is ready to start.

27. Define steel standard (Options -> Preferences -> Steel Frame design) (local standard =

BS 5950)

28. Define Concrete standard (Options -> Preferences -> Concrete Frame design) (local

standard = ACI-318)

29. Define Shear wall standard (Options -> Preferences -> Shear wall design) (local

standard = ACI-318)

30. Choose Rebars sizes available in market: (Options -> Preferences -> Reinforcement

bar sizes -> delete whats not available in country)

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31. Define Materials Steel and Concrete from (Define -> Material Properties) Use default

numbers (only change Strength of concrete(Fc))

32. Define your Beams/Columns (Define -> Frame sections -> click to-> Add/Wide flange -

> Add Rectangular)

Name the section

Choose material (Concrete or Steel)

Define Dimensions

Press Reinforcement button -> If its a column, you can choose the

reinforcement, and choose to be checked, or leave it as default and choose

FOR BEAMS (Special Purpose): Set Modifiers as shown

FOR COLUMNS (Special Purpose): Set Modifiers as shown

Repeat steps for as many beams/columns as required

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33. Define your Walls and Slabs (Define -> Wall/Slab/Deck -> Modify the default walls and

slabs to your design requirements)

(Note: choose Shell while modifying a Wall/Slab)

FOR SLABS (Special Purpose): Set Modifiers as shown

FOR SHEAR WALLS (Special Purpose): Set Modifiers as shown

Now that were done defining sections to be used. Make sure before you start

modeling, that you select the correct type of adding, depending on modeling choice.

34. Realistic View: To get a visible view of the building components while drawing, go to

(View -> Set building view options -> check (Object fill + Extrusion).

35. Start drawing columns (Draw ->Draw lines object -> Create Columns) then select the

previously defined Column from the (Property Drop list). And start placing them on the

Master story. Or by dragging the cursor over all the nodes which have columns to be

placed on them

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36. Draw the beams (Draw ->Draw lines object -> Draw lines) then select the previously

defined beam sections from the (Property Drop list). And start placing them on the

Master story Or use the mouse dragging method to draw multiple beams on all lines

within the selection.

IMPORTANT NOTE: After youre done drawing Columns and Beams, It is essential

to release the moments at the end of continuous beams, to make them semi-

rigid.Being Fully Rigid decreases the negative moment at the middle supports,

which results in wrong design.

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The Solution is to release the edge moments, and apply them as a point Moments.

As shown in the following diagram.

which is done by selecting the continuous beams which have fixed ends, and going

to (Assign -> Frame/Line -> Frame Release ->

Then select the end (Points) and go to (Assign -> Joint/Point Loads -> Force ->

select LIVE -> Fill in MOMENT GLOBAL XX AND YY, with M =

or

Where w is the standard live load which you transfer on the beam as KN/m. (THIS

MOMENT IS RELATIVELY SMALL, AND THIS STEP CAN BE PARTIALLY

NEGLECTABLE IF YOU KNOW HOW MUCH EDGE REINFORCEMENT YOU

SHOULD USE)

2Ref:(ACI-318-11, Section 8.3.3)

37. Draw the Slabs on the plan view (Draw -> Draw Area objects -> Create Areas at Click)

then select the previously defined slab from the (Property Drop list). And start placing

them on the Master story. And fill the openings with the Opening Property from drop

list.. Or use the mouse dragging method to draw multiple Slabs on all Areas within the

selection.

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38. Draw the Shear walls on the plan view (Draw -> Draw Area objects -> Draw walls) then

select the previously defined wall from the (Property Drop list).

Dont draw beams and columns; in the same places you draw shear walls.

Overlapping causes wrong designs.

Further Modeling Notes:-

39. Meshing: An important Slab related modification is called Meshing which is breaking

the slab into small segments, to get a more accurate analysis and for the finite element

method to act correct. This is done by (Select -> by Wall/Slab -> *name of Slab*) then

(Edit -> Mesh Area -> change the numbers into 4 by 4 Areas.

Assigning Loads on model

40. Define Loads: Go into (Define -> Static load cases)

Dont change the dead and live load, (dead load will be automatically calculated by

ETABS, and live will be assigned manually by us).

Add a new kind of load by writing into the empty box (Super) and Choose (Super

Dead) from the drop list -> set weight multiplier to 0 -> press Add/new Load.

Add another kind of load called Wall with same options as Super.

41. To add live load, check the local standard depending on the building purpose. And

follow these steps:

(Select -> by Wall/Slab -> *name of Slab*)

(Assign -> Shell/Area Loads -> Uniform)

Load case: Live -> Load = from standard (ignore number is the picture) ->

Direction: Gravity -> Ok.

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42. To add wall load, calculate the wall load per meter, and apply it as follows:

Wall Load per meter = 1.7 Ton/m3 x 9.81 x Story height x Wall thickness = KN/m.

(Select the beams that have walls on them).

(Assign -> Frame/Line loads -> Distributed)

Load case name : Wall -> Load = Wall Load per meter ( calculated, ignore number in

picture)

43. To add super imposed load, check the local standard depending on the building

purpose. And follow these steps:

(Select -> by Wall/Slab -> *name of Slab*)

(Assign -> Shell/Area Loads -> Uniform)

Load case: SUPER -> Load = from standard -> Direction: Gravity -> Ok.

44. To add wind load, follow the following steps:-

IMPORTANT NOTE: Use UBC-97 For wind and earthquake loads.

Go into (Define -> Static load cases)

Add a new kind of load by writing into the empty box (WINDX) and Choose (WIND)


Press on the WINDX that was added into the list, and click Modify Lateral Load

button

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Keep the values default, and only change the Wind speed and exposure Type,

according to your country standard, and press OK.

Add another new load by writing into the empty box (WINDY) and press Add/new

Load.

Press on the WINDY that was added into the list, and click Show Lateral Load

button

Only change the Angle from its default value to 90.

45. To add earthquake load, follow the following steps:-

Go into (Define -> Static load cases)

Add a new kind of load by writing into the empty box (EQX) and Choose (QUAKE)


Press on the EQX that was added into the list, and click Show Lateral Load button.

Choose X Dir + Eccen Y and change the over strength factor according to the


Add a new kind of load by writing into the empty box (EQY) and Choose (QUAKE)


Press on the EQY that was added into the list, and click Show Lateral Load button.

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Choose Y Dir + Eccen X and change the over strength factor according to the


By The end of adding loads, you should have this.

Creating Load Combination

46. To add load combinations, preform the following steps:-

Go to (Define -> Load Combinations)

Add a new combo.

Name the combo, and select Add.

Choose a case, and input the scale factor, and press add.

Choose another case, and input its scale factor, and press add.

Press Ok.

Repeat the steps by adding a new Combo, for as many combinations as required by

standard.

You can use the auto generated load combinations from (Define -> Add default

design combos -> choose according to model characteristics -> Press Ok)

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Meshing the Shear walls

47. Meshing the shear walls is very important for a more realistic analysis, and effective

design, it requires some effort to be done, but can be fairly easy using these steps:-

(Select -> by Wall -> *name of wall*)

(View -> Show selection only)

Go to 3D view

Use the cursor and drag to select all the shear

walls in the drawing

(Edit -> Mesh Area -> 3 by 1 -> ok)

After meshing all the walls, go to 3D view; select

all of the walls near each other, (walls that transfer

loads to each other vertically), by dragging across

them.

(Assign -> Shell/Area -> Pier Label -> Type name -> Press Add New Name ->

Press Ok)

Select other wall collections required and assign them to new Piers as well.

Once done(View -> Show all)

Assigning Diaphrams

48. Assigning Diaphram is a meant to make a single story rigid, to transfer lateral load

through all of it sides, such as wind load or seismic load.

(View -> set 3D view -> Press xz -> (Aperture = 0)

Select the first floor from dragging the cursor from left to right, as shown.

(Assign -> Shell/Area -> Diaphrams -> D1 -> ok)

Select the second floor similar to method used

for first floor.

(Assign -> Shell/Area -> Diaphrams -> Add/New

-> Ok)

Repeat for desired number of stories.

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When you have two or more separate structures, with some floors separated.

Make sure you do the assign floors as different Diaphrams

Offsetting and Rigidity Modifications

49. When drawing beams/columns/walls/slabs they are drawn from center line to center line,

which makes an overlap whenever two sections are joined. To fix this we apply the

following:-

(Select -> All)

(Assign -> Frame/Line -> End (Length) offsets.


Press Ok

50. In real life, the beams and columns arent 100% fixed; they have a limited degree of

flexibility which ETABS doesnt consider unless we change the following.

(Select -> by Line object type -> Beam -> Ok.)

(Assign -> Frame/Line -> End (Length) offsets.

Change the Rigid Zone Factor to (0.5).

Press Ok

Auto line constraint

51. It is essential to merge the mesh lines in order to transfer loads equally in a realistic way,

therefore this step should be done in the end before the start of any analysis.

(Select -> All)

(Assign -> Shell/Area -> Auto Line constraint)

Leave the default setup as it is -> Press Ok

Wrong Diaphram

Correct Diaphram

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Sequential construction

52. In real life, construction of the building is done on steps, usually (floor by floor), so the

appliance of load isnt sudden, to simulate such real life case, we add a sequential

construction case by:-

(Define -> Add sequential construction case)

Keep options default unless advised.

Press Ok.

(This has to be run separately after running the normal analysis, by going to

(Analyze -> Run sequential construction analysis).

The Analysis

53. Once done of the all the steps, you can start running the analysis.

(Analyze -> Run Analysis)

This may take several seconds to minutes.

(Design -> Concrete Frame Design -> Start Design/Check)

(Design -> Shear Wall Design -> Start Design/Check)

Once done, you can show the follow results:-

o Show deformed shape due to any load case you choose

o Right click any beam in the model, to view, Shear/Moment diagrams. And

observe the maximum values, and design for them.

o Show result tables, and generate a report of them.

o Display ratio of steel required in each reinforced beams, shear walls, and

columns

o Display suggested sections for steel beams.

o Display maximum deformations.

o Display Slabs Stress diagrams as a contour sketch.

o Display detailed shear wall reinforcement and rebar spacing.

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The End

o This guide contains both steps for version 9.7.4 and 2013.

o The guide only serves as an introduction, and more effort should be considered

to master such complicated software.

o Always comply with your region/country standards, and ignore numbers provided

in the tutorial when they differ from the advised values.

o This guide isnt a bible, so feel free to ask or disagree with the author.

o ETABS can be best learned through:-

Trial and Error

Video tutorials

Books

o Main reference used:- (Eng. Makar Nageh, 2007, How to model and design high

rise buildings using ETABS) The book is available with the author of this guide

as a PDF in case you need it

o Obtaining the ETABS software is your responsibility, and illegal distribution isnt

encouraged by any means.

o The author is a civil engineering student, and isnt a certified trainer, but holds a

certificate from the UAE Society of engineers, to design using ETABS.

o Feel free to contact the author Yamen Dannan for any inquiries related to

the software. at ([email protected])

Documents

Etabs Guide