Steel Beam

New beams may be added with two clicks on the Building Modeller Main Window.

OOn the Properties Window that appears users select one section from the predefined standard sections.

Inclined beams may be efficiently modelled by specifying the elevation differences of the two beam ends relatively to the general storey height. The heights of the columns that support the beam are then automatically adapted.

The steel’s properties can be defined within the member’s Properties Window. The characteristic steel yield strength and the type of the members, i.e. existing or new member, should be defined.

In the beams sections module, additional permanent distributed load may also be assigned, which serves to define any load not associated to the self-weight of the structure (e.g. finishings, infills, variable loading, etc). Also loads can be defined by clicking on the More Loads button. Users can define uniform distributed forces along the length of the member in all three translational directions X, Y or Z, and forces or moments in any translational or rotational direction (X, Y, Z, RX, RY or RZ) at either of the two edges of the member (start or end). Additional permanent loads G’ (not associated with the self-weight of the structure), live Q and snow S loads may be applied, with the latter being applicable only to ASCE 41 and TBDY. By default all loads are equal to zero.

In the Advanced Modelling area, the code-based settings of the structural member can  be defined through the Advanced Member Properties dialog box that opens from the corresponding button. The member’s Modelling Parameters may be also defined from the Modelling Parameters dialog box, accessed by the corresponding button. 

After defining all the section's properties, the new member may be added by outlining two points on the Main Window. The inserting line can lie at the centre or at either of the two sides of the beam; this can be determined by clicking on any of the three lines on the View/Modify Geometry window (the black line is the selected option).

Note: In the case of beams being supported by the same column at different heights, the program automatically subdivides the column member, so that to simulate effectively the short column that is generated.