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ETABS Features:
Features - 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.
Hardware Accelerated Graphics
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Direct X graphics with hardware accelerated graphics allow for navigation of models with fly-
throughs and fast rotations.
Features - 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
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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 display the finite element model of the structure which is made up of
the connectivity of the joints, frames, and shells and defined meshing.
Grid Systems
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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
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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 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.
Plans and Elevations
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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.
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.
Interactive Table Data Editing
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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
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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 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.
Building Components
Towers
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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.
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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.
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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
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material behavior options for each layer based on stress-strain, with shearing behavior
considered for rebar layered shell sections.
Shear Walls
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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.
Link Elements
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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
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Users can create and apply hinge properties to perform pushover analyses in ETABS 2013.
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
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Rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible floor diaphragms can be defined in ETABS. Diaphragms can be
assigned to joint objects or area objects.
Automated Code Based Loading
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ETABS will automatically generate and apply seismic and wind loads based on various domestic
and international codes.
Point, Line, Area, and Thermal Loads
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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
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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.
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Analysis
Overview
CSI Solvers have been tried and tested by the industry for over 35 years. The SAPFire Analysis
Engine can support multiple 64-bit solvers for analysis optimization and perform both Eigen
Analysis and Ritz Analysis.
Dynamics
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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.
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.
P-Delta
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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
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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
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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 hinge
