Section Sets

Cross-section properties may be assigned to members in one of two ways; either by choosing a shape directly from the steel database or by using a section set. Section sets provide a way to group members so that they have the same properties. Adjusting the set properties, rather than selecting and adjusting each member can achieve changes to the properties for all of the members in the set. You must use section sets if you want to perform timber code checks or steel shape optimization.

The cross section data for the members is recorded on the Section Sets spreadsheet. Cross sectional properties can be entered manually or may be retrieved from one of the shape databases. Currently the databases include Hot Rolled Steel, Cold Formed Steel, Wood, Concrete, and Aluminum. Once the section is defined, it is then referenced on the Members spreadsheet when assigning properties to a member.

Define a New Section Set

To define a new Section Set:

  1. Click on Section Setsin the ‘Data Entry’ menu, to open the spreadsheet.
  2. Select the tab for the Material type that you want to use.

  3. Enter the section set label and other information. 

    You can edit or create a new material by clicking on thebrowse button  in the cells. 

  4. (Optional) Click on theShape column browse button  if you want to open the database.
Note:

Section Sets Spreadsheet

The Section Sets spreadsheet records the section properties for the member elements and may be accessed by selecting Section Sets in the ‘Data Entry’ menu.

Click on image to enlarge it

The following are input columns on the spreadsheet that may be used to specify cross section data for the members in the model.

Section Label

The Section Label is the label you'll reference on the ‘Members’ spreadsheet to assign properties to a member. This label can be anything you wish, so long as it's not the same as any other section set label.

Section Database Shape

The Shape field is used to obtain properties from the shape databases. To use the database, simply enter the name of the database shape and the shape properties (A, I, J) will be filled in automatically. Click   to pick from the database.

If you don't want to use a database shape and wish to enter the shape properties directly, just leave this field blank.

Note: For rectangular, circular, and pipe shapes you can use the On-Line shapes to automatically define the shape properties.  See On-Line Shapes.

Section Material

The Material field is used to enter the label of the material. The material must be defined on the ‘Materials’ spreadsheet or on the ‘Wood Properties’ spreadsheet.

Member Type

Enter the member type for the section set. The choices are Column, Beam, Vertical Brace, and Horizontal Brace. 

Here are the main effects that the member type will have on your structure:

  1. If using concrete members, this will define the rebar layout (column vs beam) .
  2. If using design lists, they specifically reference the member type.
  3. If using member area loads, loads will not be attributed to members defined as Hbraces or Vbraces.
  4. If using the RISA-Revit link the link will not work properly unless you use member types.
  5. If integrating with RISAConnection, the connection validation requires proper use of member types.
  6. If using the seismic detailing provisions then you must use proper member types.

Design List

Enter the design list type that you wish to use for this section set. This entry will affect the members that are available to program when it is suggesting alternate or optimized shapes.  Refer to Design Optimization for more information on the member optimization procedure.  Also refer to Appendix A – Redesign Lists for information on creating or editing these lists. 

Design Rules

Enter the design rules type that you wish to use for this section set. When the program is checking alternate or optimized shapes, it will restrict its selections to members that obey the chosen design rules. Refer to Design Rules– Size / U.C. for more information. 

Cross Section Properties

The cross section properties will be filled in automatically if you use a database shape. For General Materials, you may leave the shape field blank and enter these directly. Iyy and Izz are for bending about the respective member local axes. Note that it's not a good idea to edit these fields if you already have a database shape assigned. Any changes will not be saved and will be replaced with the original values when the file is reopened or the shape is reentered in some other manner. You should create a new shape in the database to avoid this situation.

Note: For Tapered WF shapes, only the shape properties at the I-end will be shown on the ‘Section Sets’ spreadsheet. To view properties for both ends use the Edit button in the ‘Shape Selection’ settings.