Section properties for our portal frame do not need to be typed but can simply be read in from the section database. A picture of the structure or element you are working on, is always displayed on the screen. If you make any changes, eg change a dimension or adjust a load, the picture is automatically updated. Anything displayed on the screen, whether it is the layout of our portal frame or a bending moment diagram, can be printed by pressing the PrtSc button. Alternatively, the screen contents can be saved as bitmap files on disk for minipulation in a graphics paint program or for inclusion in a design report.
Several modules interact with each other for improved productivity.
After running a frame analysis, for example, the steel member design modules can be used to check the sections entered during the frame analysis. Sections can also be optimized by instructing the program to select the lightest section. The frame analysis results can be used as input to the concrete design modules, which apart from doing the actual design checks, can also the generate reinforcement bending schedules. The concrete bases of our portal frame can be designed by taking the reactions from the frame analysis and a bending schedule can then be created from the design results. A DXF drawing can also be created of the designed connection, showing details of welds, bolts and any required stiffeners.