NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

CE3155 Structural Analysis

Semester 1 2015/2016

Introduction
to

Multi-Storey

Integrated Analysis, Design and Drafting of Building Systems

Prepared by: Zhang Jin & Chua Yie Sue

 Table of Contents

1. Problem Description .................................................................................................... 3

1.1. Layout ................................................................................................................... 3
1.2. Simple Braced Frame ............................................................................................ 4
1.3. Characteristic Actions ........................................................................................... 5
1.4. Member Sections .................................................................................................. 5
1.4.1. Details of Material Properties ....................................................................... 5
1.4.2. Auto-Select Sections ...................................................................................... 6
2. Create a New Model .................................................................................................... 7
3. Define Material Properties .......................................................................................... 9
3.1. Frame .................................................................................................................... 9
3.2. Slab ....................................................................................................................... 9
3.3. Wall ..................................................................................................................... 10
4. Define Section Properties .......................................................................................... 11
4.1. Frame .................................................................................................................. 11
4.2. Slab ..................................................................................................................... 13
4.3. Wall ..................................................................................................................... 14
5. Define Loads .............................................................................................................. 15
5.1. Load Patterns ...................................................................................................... 15
5.2. Shell Uniform Load Sets ...................................................................................... 15
5.3. Load Cases .......................................................................................................... 16
5.4. Load Combinations ............................................................................................. 16
6. Draw members .......................................................................................................... 17
6.1. Columns .............................................................................................................. 17
6.2. Primary Beams .................................................................................................... 19
6.3. Secondary Beams................................................................................................ 20
6.4. Floors .................................................................................................................. 21
6.5. Braces.................................................................................................................. 22
6.6. Wall ..................................................................................................................... 23

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7. Assign restraints......................................................................................................... 24
8. Verify Frame Moment Release .................................................................................. 25
9. Assign Loads ............................................................................................................... 26
9.1. Floors .................................................................................................................. 26
9.2. Walls ................................................................................................................... 27
9.2.1. Wind in direction X ...................................................................................... 27
9.2.2. Wind in direction Y ...................................................................................... 28
10. Assign Lateral Restraint to Floor Beams ................................................................ 29
11. Run Analysis ........................................................................................................... 31
12. Analyze results ....................................................................................................... 31
12.1. Deflections .......................................................................................................... 31
12.2. Support reactions ............................................................................................... 32
12.3. Axial Forces, Shear Forces, Bending Moments................................................... 32
12.4. Mass of the building ........................................................................................... 33
13. Steel Frame Design Feature................................................................................... 34
13.1. Edit Preferences .................................................................................................. 34
13.2. Start Design Check .............................................................................................. 35
13.3. Analysis vs Design Section .................................................................................. 36
13.4. Verify All Members Pass ..................................................................................... 37
14. Moment Resisting Frame ...................................................................................... 38
14.1. Remove Bracing .................................................................................................. 39
14.2. Make Beam to Column Joints Rigid .................................................................... 40

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Multi-story Steel Frame Design
A multi-story steel frame structure with 3 stories is to be designed using ETABS. Adopt
first-order (i.e. linear-elastic) analysis for this project. Assume that second-order effects
are negligible.

1. Problem Description
1.1. Layout

A B
6.0 m
2

3.0 m
y
Wind-X
x
3.0 m

Wind-Y

Figure 1.1:Plan view

Storey 3

3.0 m

Storey 2

3.0 m

Storey 1

3.0 m

Base

Figure 1.2:Elevation view along gridlines A, B, 1 and 2

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1.2. Simple Braced Frame
For the simple braced frame, simple (i.e. nominally pinned whereby the major and
minor moments are released) connections are used for the beam-to-beam
connections, beam-to-column connections and bracing connections. Diagonal braces
should be placed at convenient locations to resist lateral loads. Figure 1.3 shows an
example of a simple braced frame being deformed under lateral load.

Pinned
connections

Diagonal braces

Undeformed Deformed

Figure 1.3: Example of a simple braced frame deformed under lateral load

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1.3. Characteristic Actions
Units: kN/m2
Permanent actions

Dead Load (DL):

Raised floor 0.2
Services 0.3
Ceiling 0.2
Steelwork and fire protection *
200 mm concrete slab *

* Self-weight of steelwork, fire protection and 200 mm concrete floor slab to be accounted for
automatically in the analysis software.

Variable actions

Live Load (LL):

Imposed load 4.0
Allowance for partitions not shown on plans 1.0

Wind Load (WL):

Wind load in X direction 1.2
Wind load in Y direction 1.2

1.4. Member Sections

Members Material properties Section properties
Primary beams A992fy50 A-GravBm
Secondary beams A992fy50 A-GravBm
Columns A992fy50 A-GravCol
Braces A992fy50 A-Brace
Slab (200 mm membrane) Concrete C30/37 Self-defined
Wall (250 mm membrane) Others Self-defined

Note: Section properties begin with ‘A’ in ETABS means that the software does the auto-
selection of suitable section properties. A-GravBm and A-GravCol are inbuilt into ETABS.

1.4.1. Details of Material Properties

Material Type E  Unit Weight Design Strengths
3
A992fy50 Steel 200000 MPa 0.3 77.0 kN/m Fy = 344.74 MPa
Fu = 448.16 MPa
C30/37 Concrete 33000 MPa 0.2 25.0 kN/m3 Fc = 30 MPa
Wall Other 0 0 0 –

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1.4.2. Auto-Select Sections
A-GravBm
UKB305X165X40 UKB457X152X67 UKB610X229X125
UKB305X165X46 UKB457X191X67 UKB610X229X140
UKB356X171X45 UKB533X210X82 UKB762X267X134
UKB356X171X51 UKB533X210X92 UKB762X267X147
UKB356X171X57 UKB533X210X101 UKB762X267X173
UKB406X140X39 UKB533X210X109 UKB762X267X197
UKB406X140X46 UKB533X210X122 UKB838X292X176
UKB406X178X54 UKB610X229X101
UKB457X152X52 UKB610X229X113

A-GravCol
UKC203X203X71 UKC305X305X137 UKC356X368X202
UKC254X254X73 UKC305X305X158 UKC356X406X235
UKC254X254X89 UKC305X305X198 UKC356X406X287
UKC254X254X107 UKC305X305X240 UKC356X406X340
UKC254X254X132 UKC305X305X283 UKC356X406X393
UKC254X254X167 UKC356X368X129 UKC356X406X551
UKC305X305X97 UKC356X368X153 UKC356X406X634
UKC305X305X118 UKC356X368X177

A-Brace
UKA90X90X7 UKA120X120X8 UKA150X150X15
UKA90X90X8 UKA120X120X10 UKA150X150X18
UKA90X90X10 UKA120X120X12 UKA200X100X10
UKA90X90X12 UKA120X120X15 UKA200X100X12
UKA100X65X7 UKA125X75X8 UKA200X100X15
UKA100X65X8 UKA125X75X10 UKA200X150X12
UKA100X65X10 UKA125X75X12 UKA200X150X15
UKA100X75X8 UKA150X75X10 UKA200X150X18
UKA100X75X10 UKA150X75X12 UKA200X200X16
UKA100X75X12 UKA150X75X15 UKA200X200X18
UKA100X100X8 UKA150X90X10 UKA200X200X20
UKA100X100X10 UKA150X90X12 UKA200X200X24
UKA100X100X12 UKA150X90X15
UKA100X100X15 UKA150X150X10

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2. Create a New Model
(a) Create a new model using File > New Model… or select .

(b) Initialize the model.

(c) Remember to save your model regularly during the modelling process.

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(d) Grid settings are prepared to facilitate model drawing.

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3. Define Material Properties
3.1. Frame
The material properties of columns, main beams, secondary beams and braces are
defined by the default property A992Ay50.

3.2. Slab
Define > Material properties > Add new material.

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3.3. Wall
Create wall with very small stiffness (nearly zero) and zero weight to supply area for
wind load.

Define > Material properties > Add new material.

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4. Define Section Properties
4.1. Frame
Define > Section Properties > Frame Sections. Select “Import New Properties” and
choose “Steel Angle” from the drop down list.

Click once on “UKA90X90X7” to

highlight it. Scroll further down the
list, press the Shift key on your
keyboard and click once on
“UKA200X200X24”. This will allow
you to import all highlighted UKA
members.

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Select “Add New Property” and choose “Auto Select” for Section Shape.

Rename Property Name to “A-Brace”. Highlight all UKA members and click “Add”.

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4.2. Slab
Define > Section Properties > Slab Sections. Select “Slab1” and choose Modify.

For membrane section, slab has no out-of-plane stiffness and does not contribute to
resist bending moment. Loads are directly transferred onto the beams and columns.

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4.3. Wall
Define > Section Properties > Wall Sections. Select “Wall1” and choose Modify.

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5. Define Loads
5.1. Load Patterns
Define > . Note that self-weight multiplier is set to “1” as self-weight of
the members contribute to gravity load. Add Wind-X and Wind-Y.

5.2. Shell Uniform Load Sets

Define > . Note that these are only for gravity loads excluding
self-weight.

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5.3. Load Cases
Define > . For each Load Case Name, ensure that Load Case Type is Linear
nd
Static so that 2 order effects are not included in analysis.

5.4. Load Combinations

ETABS automatically generates the appropriate load combinations based on the load
cases specified earlier and the inbuilt EURO code. The Singapore National Annex partial
factors are also included in the software and should be selected. This will be detailed in
Section 13 of this manual.

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6. Draw members
At the bottom right of the screen, change the setting from “One story” to “Similar
stories” so that the design on one story is duplicated to the others stories.

Select Plan View > Story 1.

6.1. Columns

Select Draw > Draw Beam/Column/Brace Objects > Quick Draw Columns or and
ensure that the correct object properties are selected.

Since the columns are continuous throughout the building, the moment releases must
be changed to Continuous.

Now draw the columns in one action by "windowing" around the grid intersections as
shown in the figure below. To "window," click the left mouse button above and to the
left of grid intersection A-2 and then, while holding the left mouse button down, drag
the mouse until it is below and to the right of grid intersection B-1. A selection box
similar to that shown in figure below should expand around the grid line intersections as
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 the mouse is dragged across the model. Release the left mouse button and the program
will draw the column objects at the grid line intersections.

Selection box

The orientation of the column can be adjusted by selecting the column, followed by Assign >
Frame > Local Axes.

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6.2. Primary Beams

Select Draw > Draw Beam/Column/Brace Objects > Quick Draw Beams or and
ensure that the correct object properties are selected.

Since this structure is simple frame, the beam is pin-connected to the column, hence the
moment releases must be changed to Pinned.

Draw the beam by using the same method as shown above for column drawing.

Plan View 3-D View

Note: In structures with more complex grid lines, ETABS automatically breaks the section
length at every grid line intersection. A work around would be to temporarily remove
the problematic grid lines during sketching. Alternatively, use the generic draw tool
and select the start point of the section, followed by the end point.

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6.3. Secondary Beams
Select Draw > Draw Beam/Column/Brace Objects > Quick Draw Secondary Beams or
and ensure that the correct object properties are selected.

Draw the secondary beams in one action by windowing around the bays where
secondary beams are to be added.

Plan View 3-D View

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6.4. Floors
Draw > Draw Floor/Wall Objects > Draw Rectangular Floor/Wall or and ensure that
the correct object properties are selected.

Click once at column A-2, and while holding down the left mouse button, drag the cursor
to column B-1. Release the mouse button to draw a rectangular floor.

Plan View 3-D View

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6.5. Braces
Select Elevation view > Grid line A.

Draw > Draw Beam/Column/Brace Objects > Quick Draw Braces or and ensure that
the correct object properties are selected.

Click once between Story 2 and Story 3. Due to “Similar Stories mode the bracing will be
replicated through the various Stories.

Repeat this process on the other Elevation planes.

Elevation View (Initial) 3-D View (Final)

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6.6. Wall
Select Elevation view > Grid line A.

Select Draw > Draw Floor/Wall Objects > Quick Rectangular Floor/Wall or and
ensure that the correct object properties are selected.

Click once at column A-1 at Story 3, and while holding down the left mouse button, drag
the cursor to column A-2 at base. Release the mouse button to draw a rectangular wall.

Repeat the same procedure to draw walls for other elevation view of gridline 1.

Elevation View 3-D View (Final)

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7. Assign restraints
At the bottom right of the screen, change the setting from “Similar stories” to “One
story”.

Select Plan View > Base

Use the Select Object tool to select all the joints at the base.

Selection box

Select Assign > Joint > Restraints > Fixed.

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8. Verify Frame Moment Release
As defined in Section 1.2, a simple braced frame has continuous columns while simple
(i.e. nominally pinned whereby the major and minor moments are released) connections
are used for the beam-to-beam connections, beam-to-column connections and bracing
connections.

View > Set Display Options or select from the toolbar.

The circles shown in ETABS

identifies that the moments are
released.

Note:
a) Beams and braces have
end moments released.
b) Columns which are
continuous do not have
any releases.

Elevation View 3-D View

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9. Assign Loads
9.1. Floors
Select > Select > Object type > Floors > Select (Note: use 3-D view to ensure all floor
slabs are selected correctly.)

Select Assign > Shell Loads > Uniform Load Set. Select “Floor Load” which has been
earlier defined and click apply.

Ensure that “Floor Load”

is shown on all the slabs
selected, thus signifying
that the load has been
correctly applied.

3-D View

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9.2. Walls
9.2.1. Wind in direction X

Select Elevation view > Grid line A.

Use the Select Object tool to select all the walls.

Elevation View 3-D View

Select Assign > Shell Loads > Uniform.

Check that the values “1.2” are reflected on the selected walls in Elevation view.

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9.2.2. Wind in direction Y

Select Elevation view > Grid line 1.

Use the Select Object tool to select all the walls.

Elevation View 3-D View

Select Assign > Shell Loads > Uniform.

Check that the values “1.2” are reflected on the selected walls in Elevation view.

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10. Assign Lateral Restraint to Floor Beams
If the concrete floor slab provides continuous lateral restraint to the floor beams, a
uniformly braced condition must be specified to the beams.

Select > Select > Object type > Beams > Select (Note: use 3-D view to ensure all beams
are selected correctly.)

Design > Steel Frame Design > Lateral Bracing

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11. Run Analysis
Select Run Now or to run analysis.

12. Analyze results

12.1. Deflections
Choose 3D view and select Display > Deformed Shape or .

Hover mouse over deformed joint to see deflection. In the example below, the top-left
joint is shown.

Note: The lateral deflection (horizontal drift) due to wind loads can be easily shown for
each storey using the Plan View. Inter-storey drift can then be calculated subsequently.

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12.2. Support reactions
Select Display > Force/Stress Diagrams > Support/Spring Reactions or to show
reaction forces.

12.3. Axial Forces, Shear Forces, Bending Moments

Select Display > Force/Stress Diagrams > Frame Forces or to show axial forces, shear
forces and bending moments.

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12.4. Mass of the building
Options > Show Model Explorer.

Weight (kN) of steel required can be extracted from

the table above. Convert to mass (kg) assuming
gravity to be 10 N/kg.

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13. Steel Frame Design Feature
The Steel Frame Design feature of ETABS automatically generates the required load
combinations based on EURO code and the National Annex selected. It then performs
strength/capacity check of structural members under ultimate limit state and vertical
deflection checks under serviceability limit state. After which it proposes more efficient
sections via iterations of the Analysis phase and Design phase. However, do note that
inter-storey lateral deflection (drift) is not accounted for and should be checked
manually.

13.1. Edit Preferences

Design > Steel Frame Design > View/Revise Preferences

Select the Singapore National Annex.

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13.2. Start Design Check
Design > Steel Frame Design > Start Design/Check or

In the initial analysis (Section 11), ETABS used the median section by weight from the
auto select section list. During design (Section 13), the program selected a more
appropriate design section, which differs from the analysis section used. When analysis
and design sections are different, the following message pops out.

Click “Yes” to reiterate analysis and design to ensure all the members pass the design
check.

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13.3. Analysis vs Design Section

If you click “No”, the program will give you the option to select the selections which
defer between analysis and design. They are indicated by the dotted line.

Alternatively, Design > Steel Frame Design > Verify Analysis vs Design Section.

For example, if we highlight the top left beam in the figure below, the analysis section is
shown to be UKB533X210X92 and the proposed design section is UKB406X140X39 which
is a lighter and more efficient section. Note that the value at the back, i.e. “39”, is the
mass (kg) per meter run of that section.

The analysis and design phase is iterative as checking the members will affect member
capacities and self-weight thus leading to new deflections, support reactions and
member forces. Iterate and go back to Section 12 and compare the results as the
member sizes are being changed.

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13.4. Verify All Members Pass
Verify all members pass the design check for stress and capacity.

Design > Steel Frame Design > Verify All Members Passed or

Make sure all steel frames passed the stress/capacity check.

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14. Moment Resisting Frame
This section will cover the differences when moving from a simple-braced frame to a
moment resisting frame. For an unbraced moment resisting frame, rigid/moment (i.e
no moments are released) connections are used for beam-to-column connections.
Simple connections can be used for beam-to-beam connections. Resistance to lateral
loads is provided through shear forces in the columns hence no bracing is required.
However, rigid connections are more costly than simple connections due to
additional fabrication and material costs. Figure 14.1 shows an example of a moment
resisting frame being deformed under lateral load.

Rigid
connections

Undeformed Deformed

Figure 14.1: Example of a moment resisting frame under lateral load

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14.1. Remove Bracing
Select > Select > Object type > Bracing > Select (Note: use 3-D view to ensure all braces
are selected correctly.) Press “Delete” on keyboard.

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14.2. Make Beam to Column Joints Rigid
At the bottom right of the screen, change the setting from “One story” to “Similar
stories” so that the design on one story is duplicated to the others stories.

Select Plan View > Story 1.

Use the Select Object tool to select all the beams which are connected to columns.
(Note: use 3-D view to ensure all beams are selected correctly in all stories.)

Elevation View 3-D View

Assign > Frame > Releases/Partial Fixity.

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Similar to Section 8 of this manual, verify frame moment releases.

Elevation View 3-D View

Perform Analysis (Section 11 and 12) and Design (Section 13).

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