Cold Formed Steel - Databases

Custom vs. Manufacturer Shapes

You can enter your own cold formed shapes as well as use those provided in the manufacturer database.  When the cold formed database type is selected, you'll notice a "Manufacturer" list box that appears in the Shape Selection dialog.  You can specify a manufacturer or choose “Custom” to select, add or edit your own custom shapes.  New shape properties are calculated using the linear method described in Part I of the AISI code. 

Shape Database Files

The cold formed manufacturer shape databases are stored in the file aisidb32.fil, and the custom cold formed shapes are stored in the file aisicust.fil.

Add a Database Shape

To add a database shape

1. Click the Shape Database icon on the ‘Advanced’ ribbon (as shown in the following image).  

   

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   The Shape Selection window opens.

   

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2. Click the Cold Formed tab.

3. Click the Database down-arrow and choose the database where you want to store the new shape (as shown in the previous image).

4. Click on the Shape Type you wish to add, then click the Add button (as shown in the previous image).

   The Add Shape window opens.

   

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5. Type a Shape Name for the shape.
6. Enter in the Basic Properties (D, B, t and R in the above example).

7. Click Calculate to determine the shape properties.

   The Calculated Properties section displays the results from the calculation (as shown in the following image).

   

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   If you are satisfied with the results, save the new shape.

8. Click OK to save the shape and close the Shape Selection window.

Edit a Database Shape

To edit a database shape:

1. Click the Shape Database icon on the ‘Advanced’ ribbon (as shown in the following image).  

   

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   The Shape Selection window opens.

   

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2. Click the Cold Formed tab.

3. Click the Database down-arrow and choose the database where you want to edit the shape.

4. Click on the Shape Type of the shape you want to edit, if not already selected.

5. Click on the Shape Name of the shape you want to edit, then click the Edit button.

   The Edit Shape window opens.

   

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   You have the option to input ‘Geometric Properties’ and ‘Section Properties’ manually, or you may choose to have the program calculate the Section Properties based on values input for the Geometric Properties.

6. Make your Geometric Properties changes, then click Re-Calc to have the program calculate the Section Properties automatically.

   

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7. Click OK to save the shape change(s) and close the Edit Shape window.

   You are returned to the Shape Selection window.

8. Click OK to save the change to the Shape database and close the Shape Selection window.

Cold Formed Shape Types

There are five types of shapes. Names for each shape type follow the convention of the manufacturer for each shape. If you know the shape name, you can type the name directly into the Shape field on the spreadsheets, or use the search box to type part of the name to narrow the scope of names displayed in the Shape Name list.

C sections without lips (CU)

For the AISI database, CU shapes are called out by the designation given them in the AISI steel manual.  For example, if you wanted a 12" deep unstiffened C section, you'd call it out as 12CU1.25x071.  The '12' is the depth, the CU specifies a C section without lips, the '1.25' is the flange width, and the '071' is the decimal thickness.  Other manufacturer databases generally follow similar conventions.

C sections with lips (CS)

For the AISI database, CS shapes are called out by the designation given them in the AISI steel manual.  Other manufacturer databases generally follow similar conventions.

Z sections without lips (ZU)

For the AISI database, ZU shapes are called out by the designation given them in the AISI steel manual.  Other manufacturer databases generally follow similar conventions.

Z sections with lips (ZS)

For the AISI database, ZS shapes are called out by the designation given them in the AISI steel manual.  Other manufacturer databases generally follow similar conventions.

Hat sections without lips (HU)

For the AISI database, HU shapes are called out by the designation given them in the AISI steel manual.  Other manufacturer databases generally follow similar conventions.

Closed Box Members (Tube)

For the AISI database, HU shapes are called out by the designation given them in the AISI steel manual.  Other manufacturer databases generally follow similar conventions.

Double Sections

For each of the five shape types the selected shape may be used as a standard single section or as a double section. The choices for double sections are Back-to-Back and Face-to-Face. A typical double section is designated with a "2-" preceding the shape name and a "-BB" (Back-to-Back) or "-FF" (Face-to-Face) following the shape name. For example, a "2-12CU1.25x071-FF" section represents two 12" deep C sections with 1.25" wide flanges and a 0.071" thickness placed face-to-face.