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SectionBuilder
Section Builder and Designer for Concrete, Steel, and Composite Sections
USERS MANUAL AND TECHNICAL REFERENCE
Computers and Structures, Inc. Berkeley, California, USA
Version 8.1.0 December 2002
COPYRIGHT
The computer program SectionBuilder and all associated documentation are proprietary and copyrighted products. Worldwide rights of ownership rest with Computers and Structures, Inc. Unlicensed use of the program or reproduction of the documentation in any form, without prior written authorization from Computers and Structures, Inc., is explicitly prohibited. Further information and copies of this documentation may be obtained from:
Computers and Structures, Inc 1995 University Avenue Berkeley, California 94704 USA Tel: (510) 845-2177 Fax: (510) 845-4096 E-mail: support@csiberkeley.com Web: www.csiberkeley.com
Copyright Computers and Structures, Inc., 2001. The CSI Logo is a trademark of Computers and Structures, Inc. SectionBuilder is a trademark of Computers and Structures, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of AutoDesk Inc.
DISCLAIMER
CONSIDERABLE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE HAVE GONE INTO THE DEVELOPMENT AND DOCUMENTATION OF SectionBuilder. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY TESTED. IN USING THE PROGRAM, HOWEVER, THE USER ACCEPTS AND UNDERSTANDS THAT NO WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY THE DEVELOPERS OR THE DISTRIBUTORS ON THE ACCURACY OR THE RELIABILITY OF THE PROGRAM. THE USER MUST EXPLICITLY UNDERSTAND THE ASSUMPTIONS OF THE PROGRAM AND MUST INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE RESULTS.
CSISectionBuilder
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction Key Features Technical Features General Features New Features in Version 8.1.0 Structural Shapes and Sections Terminology Advantages of SectionBuilder Results and Output Geometric Properties Section Capacity Stress Distribution Calculations and Plots Chapter 2: Screens, Toolbars and Menus Overview Main Working Area Scroll Bars Gridlines Axis Dimensions Toolbars and Menus Properties Window
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CSI Section Builder Undo Function Snap to Grid Stress Strain Curves for Materials Chapter 3: Defining Sections and Computing Properties Introduction General Process for Creating a Section General Process for Creating a Caltrans Section Sections and Section Files Add a Section to a Section File and Change Its Name Move from Section to Section within a Section File Delete a Section from a Section File Create and Save a Section File Open a Section File Export Sections to a .DXF File Export Sections to a .PRO File Delete a Section File Add Shapes to a Section Add Shapes from a Library Add Shapes by Drawing Delete a Shape from a Section Edit or Modify a Shape Shape Editor Shape Editor Toolbar Buttons Add Rebar Using the Rebar Calculator Delete Rebar Change the Diameter of Rebar Shape Layout Editor Add Fillets Merge Shapes Add Holes Edit a Shape Using the Mouse Edit Shapes using Toolbar Buttons 2-15 2-15 2-15 3-1 3-1 3-2 3-4 3-7 3-7 3-7 3-8 3-8 3-9 3-9 3-9 3-9 3-12 3-13 3-15 3-15 3-16 3-17 3-19 3-23 3-24 3-25 3-25 3-26 3-27 3-28 3-39 3-30
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Contents Rotate Entire Section Computation of Sectional Properties Design of Sections Create a Report Using the Report Creation Wizard Preview the Report Printing the Current View View Options Display Color Drawing Scale Auto Refresh Chapter 4: Designing Sections Introduction Compute Section Capacity Basic Assumptions Design Calculation Procedure Generate Section Capacity Interaction Diagrams View the Interaction Surface Generation Process Plotting Stresses on a Section Prestress Check Plott Moment-Curvature Curves Appendix A: Managing Section Files and Shape Libraries Overview Program Files User Files Types of Shape Libraries Standard Shape Libraries User-Defined Shape Libraries Working with Shape Libraries Create a User-Defined Shape Library Add a New Library to the Library List Remove a Library from the Library List 3-30 3-31 3-33 3-34 3-35 3-36 3-36 3-36 3-37 3-37 4-1 4-1 4-2 4-2 4-3 4-4 4-7 4-8 4-11 4-13 A-1 A-1 A-1 A-2 A-3 A-3 A-3 A-4 A-5 A-6 A-7
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CSISectionBuilder
Chapter 1
Introduction
SectionBuilder is a software program for defining and computing properties and designing structural sections. It has been designed to work as an independent program, and to aid analysis in ETABS and SAP2000 software. SectionBuilder includes numerous practical shapes that can be defined parametrically, as well as standard steel section databases. Users also can draws Shapes to meet specific needs.
Figure 1-1 SectionBuilder Welcome Screen
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Chapter 1 -Introduction
SectionBuilder can generate interaction curves and surfaces, and plot moment-curvature curves and stress plots across a section. These features make SectionBuilder a very useful tool for structural designers in the analysis and design of members and cross-sections. This manual presents the technical features of the software and explains how to use this tool effectively.
Key Features
Technical Features
Sections can be created by combining basic concrete shapes, basic steel shapes, standard steel shapes and user-defined shapes. A Section is made from one or more Shapes. All calculations (properties and capacity calculations) are performed for the Section. Capacity interaction surface diagrams that are especially useful for evaluating sections subjected to biaxial bending moments can be generated. Combined stress caused by actions (P, Mx, My) on cross-sections can be plotted. Moment-curvature curves for any arbitrary shape can be generated. The cross-section meshing used for various computations can be displayed graphically. Torsional constant for any practical shape can be computed. The location of the centroid and the overall size of section can be displayed. The program computes basic geometric properties such as A, Ixx, Iyy, J, Shear Area, Ixy and so forth, as well as extended properties such as Sx, Sy, Zx, Zy, rx, ry and so forth.

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Key Features
SectionBuilder User's Manual A section or parts of a section can be rotated at any angle for computation of geometric properties, capacity calculations, as well as for determining stress distributions.
General Features

Available working units include mm, cm, m, in and ft. Section properties computed in SectionBuilder can be used directly in SAP2000 and ETABS for analysis purposes using .PRO files. Computed properties can be automatically updated on-screen immediately after modification of the section. Different display colors can be assigned to each type of shape and material; those colors can be modified by the user. The graphic view can show the shape only or dimensions of the individual shapes as well as the overall section. The program works with a completely interactive, graphical interface, using a single window interface (desktop). The program has extensive report generation capabilities to create professional calculation reports, with full formatting options. Such reports include summaries of the overall properties, as well as the properties of each shape in the section. Graphics can be exported to AutoCAD using DXF files. Several graphical editing tools are available, including rotate, flip, align, merge, stack, and so forth. Unlimited Undo, back to the last time the file was saved, is available.

New Features in Version 8.1.0

The following features have been added to SectionBuilder Ver. 8.1.0:
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Global Properties for sections are computed and reported on the Section Property window. These properties are calculated about the Global XY axis and are dependent on the location of the section with respect to the origin of the Global Axis. This feature allows the computation of section properties about any axis other than the centroidal axis. Section Properties can be exported to .PRO files that can be read by SAP2000 and ETABS. Entire sSections can be rotated by a specified angle about the centroid or any other point. Sections may also be aligned with the Principal Axis using the Section Rotation tool. Fillets of user-specified radii can be added easily to shapes. The coordinates points (nodal points) of non-parametric shapes can be edited numerically (keyboard input). This eases the process of drawing and editing user-drawn shapes. Stresses caused by prestressing forces applied eccentrically or concentrically and combined stresses caused by biaxial moment and force can be displayed on the section. Several new stress-strain curves for both concrete and steel are now available. Confinement properties of some editable concrete models (e.g., Mander Confined Concrete Model) can be altered for each shape using the Shape Editor. If no parameters are altered for the concrete model, the default values assigned to the model on the Material Set Properties form are assigned to the shape. Various parameters, including rebar Fy, stress-strain curve and rebar size, may be assigned to individual rebar. In addition to the current output displayed on the moment curvature curve, the values of maximum moment and curvature and the yield moment and curvature at yielding are also displayed. These results can be included in the report using the Add to Report tool.

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SectionBuilder User's Manual Selected Shape and rebar parameters used for generating the interaction curves are displayed on the Section Capacity Viewer form. All points computed for curve generation are also displayed. These can be included in the report using the Add to Report tool. A surface closing option (cutoff limit) has been included for the interaction surface and curves for both the tension and compression sides. Results generated for the interaction surface and curves can be copied and exported to other software (e.g., MS Excel). Several additional design codes, including ACI-318-02, ACI-318-95, BS 8110-97, EuroCode2, CSA-A23.3-94, UBC 97, and many others, are now available for section capacity and moment-curvature calculations. Several parametrically defined sections conforming to CALTRANS requirements are available. The shapes of these sections are linked to proper confinement models. The parameters defining these confinement models are computed using the rebar information provided for the section. A single concrete model may have several subtypes defined using different parameters. These subtype models may be assigned to individual shapes in a Section. New, comprehensive, content-sensitive HTML Help is now included with the software to make using the program easier and more efficient.
Structural Shapes and Sections

Several types of basic shapes can be used to create sections of any arbitrary shape.

Basic concrete shapes, defined by dimensions. Basic steel shapes, defined by dimensions. Standard Hot-Rolled Steel shapes, defined by manufacturers (with optional editing capabilities) and read from a database.
Structural Shapes and Sections
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User-defined parametric shapes, defined in text files. Composite and built-up sections made from any combination of the Shapes described in the preceding bullets. User-drawn shapes that can be created graphically using the Draw Shape Tool. Shapes obtained by merging two or more other shapes.
Terminology
A Shape is the basic component that can be used to create Sections. The properties of an individual Shape can be determined and its dimensions can be modified. Predefined Shapes from standard libraries can be used and modified.
\
Figure 1-2 Example of Structural Shapes and Section (three Shapes make up a single Section)
Shape1 Shape2
Shape3
Section
A Shape Library is a collection of standard predefined Shapes that can be edited parametrically (e.g., specifying dimensions) or imported from standard databases. SectionBuilder includes a number of libraries, such as the Basic Concrete Shape Library and the AISC Steel Sections library.
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Terminology
SectionBuilder User's Manual A Section is a combination or collection of Shapes placed together to act as a single cross-section. Properties are computed and the design is completed for a Section, NOT for a Shape. A Section File saves newly defined or previously defined Sections. More than one Section can be defined and saved in a single Section File. A Material Factor or Stiffness Factor allows the user to handle Composite Sections. These factors are used to specify the relative weight of the Shape in the overall Section. Generally, it is the ratio of the Modulus of Elasticity of a particular Shape to the base or reference Modulus of Elasticity. However, any positive, negative or zero value may be specified to handle solid (filled) and hollow (holes) shapes, or to ignore Shapes in calculation.
Advantages of SectionBuilder
Most analysis programs require that the geometric properties of the element cross-section be provided as an input with the structual geometry. Some software programs have the additional capability to compute those properties automatically for standard Shapes. Some programs also have the capability to read in properties from Standard Section databases, such as the Hot-Rolled Steel Shapes. However, many construction and research projects demand special sections not defined in the programs or available in standard databases. This is especially true with odd concrete shapes used as columns in buildings and bridge piers, for composite sections in bridge decks and built-up sections in steel structures. SectionBuilder has been developed to meet these needs for defining and evaluating general shapes and sections.
Results and Output

Three types of results can be obtained from the program.

Geometric Properties Section Capacity
Advantages of SectionBuilder
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Stress Distribution
The program can handle several types of Sections, including a simple concrete Section made from a single Shape, a simple steel Section made from a single steel Shape, complex steel and concrete Sections built-up by combining several basic Shapes, a composite Section made up of Shapes of different materials, and reinforced Sections where reinforcing is added to the Shapes. Even for Sections made from concrete Shapes alone, each component Shape may have different properties. It is therefore important to understand the basis for calculations and the meaning of different results, which will be described in the following subsections.
Geometric Properties
The geometric properties are computed and reported in terms of the base material property (global material type) defined for the Section. That is, if the material specified for the Section is concrete of a particular strength, the properties of all Shapes in that Section will be weighted (transformed) with the appropriate factors using the concept of modular ratio. The modular ratio of the Shapes in the Section is computed as: nshape = Eshape/Esection The individual properties of the Shape will be multiplied by this factor and added to the properties of other Shapes. This is true even if there is only a single Shape in the Section. Therefore, it is possible to compute the property of even a single Shape Section in terms of other materials. For reference, the base material of the Section is always shown on the Status bar of the main screen.
Section Capacity
The Section capacity can be obtained in basically two ways.

Capacity interaction curves Moment-curvature plots
The interaction curves are displayed as:
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Results and Output
SectionBuilder User's Manual Load and biaxial moment interaction surface showing a 3D plot between the axial load P, moment Mx and moment My Load-moment interaction curve showing the relationship of axial load capacity and the resultant moment capacity at a specified angle of neutral axis Moment-moment interaction curve showing a plot between moment capacity about the X-axis and moment capacity about the Y-axis at a specified axial load level
All these curves can be obtained for the following three cases:
Capacity values including the capacity reduction factors as defined in the appropriate design code Capacity values without the capacity reduction factors as defined in the appropriate design code Capacity values with the specified yield strength of reinforcements increased by 25%, without including the capacity reduction factors
The capacity calculations are performed on the basis of the material properties specified for individual component Shapes in the Section. In other words, the capacity of each individual Shape is computed independently and the individual capacities are then summed to find the capacity of the entire Section. Therefore, the base material properties selected and defined for the Section have no effect on the capacity calculations. The capacity calculations are performed on the basis of plastic Sections and Shapes and do not consider local buckling of the Section components.
IMPORTANT NOTE Although the program can generate capacity curves for any Section and combination of different Shapes and materials, it is important that this information be used with the proper understanding and checks of the validity and applicability of such calculations.
In general, the capacity calculations are intended for reinforced concrete Sections, but can also be used for fully composite and plastic Sections. All capacity calculations are performed using general first-principle proResults and Output 1-9
cedures and are in accordance with the provisions of the design code selected using the Options menu > General Options command. The capacity stress resultants are calculated at the plastic centroid of the overall cross-section.
Stress Distribution Calculations and Plots

The program can generate the following stress plots for the section:
The combined normal stresses for axial load P, moment Mx and moment My. This stress calculation is based on elastic properties and linear strain distribution assuming fully composite and connected behavior of various Shapes in the Section. The shear stress distribution caused by shear along the y-axis alone, along the x-axis alone, torsion alone, and their various combinations.
Shear and torsional stresses are computed using the general equations. The same equations are also used to calculate the shear area. All Shapes in the Section are assumed to be fully connected and fully effective in resisting torsion and shear force. The shear stress distribution is computed along two orthogonal axes independently, assuming no interaction, and if both the components are present, the computed stresses are added for combined effect.
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Results and Output
CSISectionBuilder
Chapter 2
Screens, Toolbars and Menus

Overview
The overall conceptual layout of the SectionBuilder is shown in Figure 2-1. The interface is highly user friendly and intuitive. The workspace features various menus, toolbars, graphical editing tools and displays. Figure 2-2 shows the actual layout of features on the startup screen or the main workspace. Each of these components has been described in detail in the subsequent subsections. The components of the main workspace include the following:

Menus and Toolbars Main Drawing Area Properties Window Status Bar
Overview
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Chapter 2 -Screens, Toolbars and Menus
Figure 2-1: Key Components of SectionBuilder
Figure 2-2: SectionBuilder Main User Interface Layout - Screen Shot
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Overview
SectionBuilder User's Manual
Main Working Area

The Main Working Area occupies the major portion of the entire screen. Figure 2-3 shows the main working area screen. All of the creation and modification of Shapes and Sections is performed using this work area. Shapes can be added, moved, resized, rotated, and combined to create new Sections of arbitrary geometry and size. As soon as a Section has been created or modified, the updated views and properties are displayed on the screen (depending on the options set using the Options menu > General Options command). The Main Working Area is similar to those used in most Windows-based word processors and drawing/presentation tools. The main components around this Workspace are described as follows:
Main Toolbar
Working Area Toolbar
Scroll Bars Status Bar
Figure 2-3: SectionBuilder Main Workspace
Scroll Bars
Two scroll bars are provided at the bottom edge and right edge of the Main Working Area that may be used for setting the working area view.
Main Working Area
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They work in conjunction with the zoom buttons. Scroll Bars become active only if the full section area is not visible. This occurs when using high scale zooms.
Gridlines
By default, the Main Working Area is filled with a "graph paper" type grid. These gridlines are useful for placing, aligning and resizing Shapes and Sections. The gridlines can be customized using options such as Hide/Show Gridlines and Snap to Grid (see Snap to Grid later in this chapter for more information). Click the Plan Grid Size button to open the Paper Grid Size form shown in Figure 2-4 to edit the horizontal and vertical grid spacing.
Figure 2-4: Editing Plan Grid Size in SecitonBuilder
Axis
Various editing operations, computed properties, Shape locations, and other items are referenced to the global X and Y axes. These axes help to locate, move, align, and rotate the Shapes properly by providing a common origin. In Figure 2-5, the screen shows two pairs of axes. The first pair is X-Y, which is a global fixed reference on the screen. The second is the 2-3 co-
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Main Working Area
SectionBuilder User's Manual ordinate system, which indicates the location of the centroid of the Section. The 2-3 axes origin changes when Shape sizes and locations change. This system is provided for compatibility with the member local axis system used in SAP2000 and ETABS2000. In those two programs, the 1-1 axis passes through the member longitudinal axis.
Origin and axis for all property calculations (2-3 coordinate system) Origin and axis for all coordinate references (x-y coordinate system)
Figure 2-5: The X-Y and 2-3 Axes Systems
Dimensions
The dimensions of the Shapes and Sections can be displayed or hidden using the Show All Dimensions button , the Show Shape Dimen-
and the Show No Dimensions button . Whenever sions button a Shape is added to the main drawing area, the overall dimensions of the Section appear as a default. Figure 2-6 illustrates two ways to display dimensions of the Shapes and Section on screen. The left figure shows the overall dimensions of the entire Section whereas the right screen shows the dimensions for each individual Shape. The user may select one of the three options, as described in the previous paragraph, to display the dimension on screen.
Main Working Area
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For more information about these toolbar functions, see the "Toolbars" subsection.
Figure 2-6: Dimensions Displayed for the Section and Dimensions Displayed for the Shape, respectively
Toolbars and Menus

Almost all of the menu commands have an associated toolbar button. The buttons have been grouped into toolbars for ease of use based on type of function/task. The following table provides a graphic of the toolbar button, the menu command, and a description of the function of the button/command. The information is presented in order of the appearance of the buttons on the toolbar. Scan the second column of the table to locate menu commands. When a file menu command has no button, that command is provided following the other commands on the same menu.
Button Command/Function Main Toolbar (top toolbar) File menu > New Section File. Creates a new Section file. The previous file is closed and if it has not already been saved, the program asks for the name of the file to save it before closing it. File menu > Open Section File. Opens an existing Section file. If the current file has not been saved, the user is prompted to save the file before the current section file can be closed.
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Toolbars and Menus
Button IMPORTANT NOTE Starting a new Section using the Section menu > Start New Section command is not the same as starting a new Section file using the File menu > New Section File command.
Command/Function Main Toolbar (top toolbar) File menu > Save Section File. Saves the current Section file. All the Sections defined in the current file (work session) are saved as a single Section file.
(none)
File menu > Project Information. Opens the Project Information form to edit general information about the current file and/or project. File menu > Print Current Section. Sends the current Section and its details for printing. File menu > Export to DXF: Exports the geometric data of the selected Section(s) to a .DXF file, which can be opened and edited in AutoCAD. File menu > Export Properties in PRO File. Exports the properties of the active/current Section using the PROPER Section File or .PRO format. SAP2000 and ETABS can read the .PRO file format. Use SAP2000 or ETABS import options to import .PRO property files saved by SectionBuilder. File menu > Exit. Exits the program. SectionBuilder will prompt you to save any unsaved Section files before exiting. Edit menu > Undo. Undoes the previous action. Unlimited Undo back to the last time the file was saved is available. Edit menu > Cut. Cuts the selected Shapes from the Drawing Area and places them on the Clipboard. The cut Shapes can subsequently be pasted into the Main Drawing Area. Edit menu > Copy. Copies the selected Shapes in the Main Drawing Area onto the Clipboard. The copied Shapes can be subsequently pasted back into the Main Drawing Area. Shapes can be copied from Section to Section. Edit menu > Paste. Pastes the Cut or Copied Shapes into the Main Drawing Area. Shapes from one Section can be cut, copied and pasted to other Sections in the same file. Edit menu > Delete Selection. Deletes the currently selected Shape(s) from the Main Drawing Area. Undo will restore the deleted Shape(s) as long as the file has not been saved since the Shape(s) was deleted.
(none) (none)
(none)
(none)
Toolbars and Menus
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Button
Command/Function Main Toolbar (top toolbar) Section menu > Start New Section. Adds a new Section into the current Section file. More than one Section can be created and saved in the same Section file. Section menu > Edit Section Material Properties. Opens the Section Material Parameters form where material properties for the base material (global or reference) for a Section can be define or modified. Edit menu > Remove Current Section from File. Removes the selected Section (currently displayed on the screen) from the open Section file. Options menu > Material Set Properties. Opens the Material Set Properties form where material properties can be set for the main class and sub-class, design curves, and the like. Options menu > Rebar Set Properties. Opens the Rebar Set Properties form to allow editing of the main reinforcement steel bar properties, including grades of steel, design curves, material factors and the like. (none) Moves to previous Section in the current Section file and displays it on the main work space/screen. (none) Moves to next section in the current Section file. (none) Current Section selection dropdown list. Results menu > Compute Basic Properties. Computes the basic properties of the currently displayed Section. Basic properties include area, moment of inertia, section modulus and other properties. Results menu > Compute Additional Properties. Computes J and Shear for the selected Section. The computation process for J and Shear area is more complicated than the other properties. Generally it takes more time than other computations. Therefore a separate button/menu command has been provided. This improves the speed of editing, graphic refreshing and other related functions.
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Toolbars and Menus
Button
Command/Function Main Toolbar (top toolbar) Results menu > Calculation Procedure for J and SA. Opens a window where the main procedure/steps and status of the J and Shear Area calculations are reported. Results menu > Show Interaction Diagram Generation. Provides an on-screen display of the process for generating the interaction diagrams. Results menu > Show Interaction Diagrams. Opens the Section Capacity Interaction Diagrams Viewer. In addition to displaying the interaction diagrams between various design actions (P, Mx, My), this window provides several options for generating diagrams. Results menu > Show Moment Curvature. Opens the Moment-Curvature generator and viewer. This viewer provides several options for generating curves (angle, axial load, and so forth).. Results menu > Show Stress Plots. Similar to the other diagram viewer, opens a form where the combined stress plots (associated with individual or various combinations of axial loads, moments, shear and torsion) can be generated. Results menu > Show Stress Plots for Prestressing. Used to check the stress distribution (combined elastic stresses) over a Section caused by applied actions and prestressing force. Results menu > Report Creation Wizard. Starts the Report Creation Wizard, a step-by-step guide to report generation and reporting. . Results menu > Preview Current Report. Allows the user to preview the current report before sending it to the printer. Results menu > Print Current Report. Sends the current report to the printer. Results menu > Print Current Section. Prints only the Section currently displayed on the screen along with its properties. Because a Section file or a work session may consist of more than one Section, this option allows Sections to be printed one at a time. Help menu > Contents. Opens the Help contents, which shows the main help topics.
(none)
Toolbars and Menus
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Button
Command/Function Main Toolbar (top toolbar) Help menu > Send Email to CSI. For sending Email to CSI. Internet connection is needed for this option to work. Help menu > Go to CSI Web Site. Connects to the CSI website. Internet connection is needed for this option to work
Button
Command/Function Working Area Toolbar (none) Refreshes all views and calculates the section properties. (none) Activates the Shape(s) selection mode. Section menu > Add Shape from Library. Opens View and Select Library Shapes form to add Shape to Section. Section menu > Draw Shape. Changes the editing mode to Shape drawing mode. Draw the nodal points of any polynomial Shape by clicking on the left mouse button (double click to end).. Section menu > Add Basic Concrete Shapes. Opens selection list to add Basic Concrete Shapes to the current Section. Allows user to quickly select and add commonly used basic concrete shapes (e.g., rectangular, tee, circular), and also provides access to other concrete basic shape libraries. Section menu > Add Basic Steel Shapes. Opens selection list to add Basic Steel Shapes to the current Section. Allows user to quickly select and add commonly used basic steel shapes (e.g., I, C, T, L) and also provides access to other steel basic shape libraries. Section menu > Merge Using Mesh. Merges two currently selected Shapes of the same material type using meshMerges two selected Shapes that overlap or share a common boundary using meshing. The area of overlap is removed when the Shapes are merged. Section menu > Merge Using Outline. Merges two currently selected Shapes of the same material type using outlineMerges two selected Shapes that overlap or share a common boundary using outline The lines within the Shape boundary are neglected when the Shapes are merged.
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Toolbars and Menus
Button
Command/Function Working Area Toolbar Section menu > Edit Current Shape. Opens the Shape Editor screen/form for the currently selected Shape. The Shape Editor is used to modify assign the dimensions (e.g., width, height, thickness), and material properties, Property Multiplier, stress-strain curve, rebar, and the like of to athe selected Shape. Section menu > Edit Shape Points. Shows the node points of the current Shape for relocating or moving with using the mouse. If the current sShape is a standard database Shape, the user will be prompted to convert it to user-drawn Shape. Section menu > Edit Shape Layout. Opens the Shape Layout Editor form to locate place Shapes by specifying coordinates and angleswhere the parameters defining the position (e.g., point coordinates, angle) of a Shape in the Main Working Area can be edited numerically. Section menu > Rotate and Flip Shapes > Rotate Right. Rotates the selected Shape by 90 degrees to the right. Section menu > Rotate and Flip Shapes > Rotate Left. Rotates the selected Shape by 90 degrees to the left. Section menu > Rotate and Flip Shapes > Rotate Section. Rotates the entire Section by a specified angle. The options available for rotation are as follows:
Rotate to Align with Principal Axis: Rotates the active Section to align it with its Principal Axis. If the Sections current orientation is along the Principal Axis, no rotation takes place. Rotate by Angle about Centroid of the Section: Rotates the Section about its centroid at a user-defined angle specified in degrees. Positive angles define rotation in the counter clockwise direction while negative angles result in clockwise rotation. Rotate by Angle about a Specified Point: Rotates the Section by an angle specified in degrees about any userspecified point defined in terms of x and y coordinate. Positive angles define rotation in the counterclockwise direction while negative angles result in clockwise rotation.
Section menu > Rotate and Flip Shapes > Flip Horizontal. Flips the selected Shape on the vertical axis (mirror).
Toolbars and Menus
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Button
Command/Function Working Area Toolbar Section menu > Rotate and Flip Shapes > Flip Vertical Flips the selected Shape on the horizontal axis (mirror). Section menu > Align and Stack Shapes > Align Left. Aligns the selected Shapes left edges. The alignment is performed with respect to the least value of the x-coordinate of the first selected shape. Section menu > Align and Stack Shapes > Align Center. Aligns the selected Shapes along the vertical centerline. The alignment is done performed with respect to the x-centroid of the first selected Shape. Section menu > Align and Stack Shapes > Align Right. Aligns the selected Shapes right edges. The alignment is performed with respect to the highest value of the xcoordinate of the first selected Shape. Section menu > Align and Stack Shapes > Align Top. Aligns the selected Shapes top edges. The alignment is performed with respect to the maximum value of the y-coordinate of the first selected Shape. Section menu > Align and Stack Shapes > Align Middle. Aligns the selected Shapes along the horizontal centerline. The alignment is performed with respect to the y-centroid of the first selected Shape. Section menu > Align and Stack Shapes > Align Bottom. Aligns the selected Shapes bottom edges. The alignment is performed with respect to the lowest value of the y-coordinate of the first selected Shape. Section menu > Align and Stack Shapes > Stack Vertically. Stacks the selected Shapes vertically, one on top of the other. The x-coordinates of the Shapes are not changed. Section menu > Align and Stack Shapes > Stack Horizontally Stacks the selected Shapes horizontally, side by- side. The y-coordinates of the Shapes are not changed. Options menu > Display Settings > Show Shape Outline Only Draws Shape outline only. Options menu > Display Settings > Show Filled Shape Draws filled Shape.
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Toolbars and Menus
Button
Command/Function Working Area Toolbar Options menu > Display Settings > Show Meshed Shape Draws filled Shape showing mesh used for computing J. Options menu > Display Settings > Show Mesh Shows mesh used for computing J. Options menu > Display Settings > Show Overall Dimensions Shows overall dimensions of the entire Section. Options menu > Display Settings > Show Shape Dimensions Shows dimensions for each Shape in the Section. Options menu > Display Settings > Show No Dimensions Shows no dimensions on the Section. (none) Shows/Hides the gridlines. This can be used to hide gridlines for a clearer view of the Shapes and the Sections in the Main Drawing Area. (none) Opens the Paper Grid Size form. The spacing of the major and minor grids can be edited here. (none) Toggles the Snap to Grid option. If Snap to Grid is activated, the mouse makes only discrete movements, which are defined by simple multiples of the grid. This affects moving and resizing Shapes. For more precise control, you may wish to modify the grid sizes: switch off the Snap to Grid option or use the Shape Layout Editor. The left, right, up and down arrows on the keyboard can also be used to move Shapes. (none) Resets the current view in such a way that the entire Section is visible, showing all Shapes on the Main Drawing Area. (none) Increase the Zoom. In many situations it may be necessary to display the Shapes and Sections on a larger scale. Sometimes this may also be required to view a small portion of the current Section on a large scale. The Zoom In button may be used in association with the horizontal and vertical scroll bar to set the appropriate view. (none) Decrease the zoom to see more of the Section in the view. It is the opposite function to Zoom In. Section menu > Add Section to Report. Adds the currently displayed Section to the current report, which can be customized, previewed, and printed.
Toolbars and Menus
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Button (none)
Command/Function Working Area Toolbar Options menu > General Options. Affects all the sections globally in the current file. Those options include the working units, number format and the design code. The standards specified in the codes are used for calculating various parameters needed to generate the Capacity Interaction Surface and Moment Curvature relationships. Those parameters include capacity reduction factors, cutoff values for axial compression, maximum allowable strain in concrete and material reduction factors. Options menu > View Options. Specifies different colors for the display of different items. The border and fill color of the various items can be changed. More options are available for setting the drawing area, switching on or off the auto refresh, calculation of properties options, and the like. Options menu > Display Settings. Controls show/hide of Shape/Section dimensions, display of filled or outlined areas, and setting for the workspace gridlines
(none)
(none)
Properties Window
The properties window comprises the right portion of the main screen. It shows the summary of the overall dimensions and geometric properties of the current Section in the Main Working Area. There are three columns in this window: properties caption/name (first), property values (second), and the units (third). The properties have been grouped under four headings as shown in Figure 2-7. SectionBuilder updates this window automatically if you check the Recompute Basic Properties checkbox on the View tab of the Options and Preferences form (access using the Options menu > View Options command).
Figure 2-7: Section Properties Window
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Properties Window
Undo Function
The program tracks every user operation. The Undo button and the Edit menu > Undo command can retrace the steps performed back to the last time the file was saved.
Snap To Grid
By default, the movement and sizing of the Shapes is snapped to the nearest grid. The snap location is automatically determined by the movement direction of the Shape. Turn this feature off and on using the Snap to Grid button . If Snap to Grid is active when the Shape is moved or resized using the mouse or the arrow keys, the movements will be multiples of the grid. For more precise control, modify the grid sizes or use the Shape Layout Editor described in Chapter 3.
Stress-Strain Curves for Materials

A variety of stress-strain curves are available for concrete, steel and reinforcing bars in the program. These material curves may be assigned to the selected Shape using the Shape Editor and choosing the relevant curve from the Stress-Strain Curve drop-down list. If a Section contains more than one Shape, different stress-strain curves may be assigned to each Shape. The curves available for each type of material are listed below.
Concrete

ACI Whitney Rectangle BS 8110 Rectangle CAS Rectangle EuroCode2 Rectangle AASHTO Rectangle NZ Rectangle UBC97 Rectangle
Undo Function
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IS 456 Rectangle Simple Parabola PCA Parabola BS 8110 Parabola Mander Circular Confined Mander Rectangular Confined Mander Un-confined Service Triangle User-Defined Curve (3 Curves Available)
Steel

Elasto-Plastic Elastic Only Park, Strain Hardening Simple Strain Hardening User-Defined Curve (3 Curves Available)
Reinforcing Bars

Elasto-Plastic Elastic Only Park, Strain Hardening Simple Strain Hardening User-Defined Curve (3 Curves Available)
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Stress-Strain Curves for Materials
CSISectionBuilder
Chapter 3
Creating Sections
Introduction
This chapter describes how to use SectionBuilder to quickly create new structural Sections and compute their properties. It is been assumed that the user is familiar with the basic concepts of structural mechanics (especially the structural interpretation of the section properties, section capacities, and the like) and structural analysis. The main topics include the general process for creating a Section, and more detailed descriptions of defining material properties, adding sections from library files, drawing sections, assigning materials properties to individual Shapes, computing Section properties, and previewing and printing reports. Before working with a Section, it is essential that you understand the difference between a Shape and a Section as used in SectionBuilder. A Section is made up of a one or more Shapes of the same or different material. See Chapter 1 for further clarification.
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SectionBuilder Users Manual
General Process for Creating a Section

While the sequence of steps you take may differ, the basic process for creating and editing Sections in a Section File, computing Section properties, and generating a report is as follows:
Note: A section file can be saved at any time during creation. Saving early and often will help prevent data loss.
1. When you start the program, SectionBuilder opens a default Section named Section1. The Main Working Area will have a graph-papertype grid with the X-Y and 2-3 coordinate systems displayed. If desired, use the File menu > Project Information command to record project information for the Section file (e.g., project name, project number, organization, and so forth). This information will appear on printed reports. Then use the File menu > Save Section File or the to save the section file. Save Section File button 2. Set the units to the desired system using the Options menu > General Options command. Choose inches, feet, millimeters, centimeters or meters.
Note: 3. Use the Options menu > Material Set Properties command or the Shapes in the Material Set Properties button to access the Material Set Propsame Section can have differerties form where you can review and change the Basic Material ent material Property and Sub Type Material. The basic material is the global reftypes. However, erence material and the material in terms of which all the section the material properties will be computed. The Sub Type Material allows the use types will be of different grades of concrete and steel. converted by the program to be in terms of the 4. Change the Section name and assign material properties to the Section. Click the Section menu > Edit Section Properties command base material type for to access the Secor the Section Materials Properties button calculation.
tion Material Parameters form. Type a name for the Section in the Section Caption edit box.
5. Use one of the following tools to add a Shape to the current Section: Add new shape to current Section button opens the View and Select Library Shapes window where you can select a Shape from a library and double click on it to add it.
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Chapter 3 - Creating Sections Draw Closed Shape button enables the draw mode; click the left mouse button in the Main Working Area at the corner points of the Shape you want to draw. Add Basic Concrete Shape button displays a drop-down list of available concrete Shapes; highlight a Shape to add it. Add Basic Steel Shape button displays a drop-down list of available steel Shapes; highlight a Shape to add it. 6. If appropriate, use the Add Fillets tools to add fillets at Shape points. 7. Double click on a Shape to access the Shape Editor. Use the Shape Editor to refine the dimensions and make property assignments, including a stiffness factor (Property Multiplier) and a stress-strain relationship for the Shape. If desired, add rebar to the Shape using the Shape Editor toolbar buttons. Save the section file. 8. Click on the Shape(s) and use the arrow keys, mouse and toolbar buttons to align, rotate, flip, or merge Shapes and add "holes" to create the desired Section. If appropriate, use the Shape Layout Editor to precisely position shape nodes. Save the section file. 9. To compute the Section properties based on the dimensions and material properties defined for the Section, click the Compute Basic Properties button ; when that computation is complete, click the . Save the Compute Torsional Constant and Shear Area button section file. 10. Add another Section to the Section file by clicking the Add New Section button . Change the Section Caption using the Section Material Parameters form (click the Section Materials Properties button ); if necessary, click the Edit button to access the Material Set Properties form to adjust the property definition. Repeat Steps 4 through 9. Save the section file. and select the 11. Click the Report Generation Wizard button items to be included in a printed report for the Section. Click the Preview Current Report button to review the report before using the Print Current Report button . Save the section file.
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SectionBuilder Users Manual The other sections in this chapter provide more details about this process, along with explanations about the program and the parameters used in it.
General Process for Creating a Caltrans Section

Note: Caltrans is the manager of interregional transportation services for the state of California, USA.
Several parametrically defined Sections conforming to Caltrans requirements are available. While the sequence of steps you take may differ, the basic process for creating Caltrans Sections in a Section File, computing Section properties, and generating a report is as follows: 1. When you start the program, SectionBuilder opens a default Section named Section1. The Main Working Area will have a graph-papertype grid with the X-Y and 2-3 coordinate systems displayed. If desired, use the File menu > Project Information command to record project information for the Section file (e.g., project name, project number, organization, and so forth). This information will appear on printed reports. Then use the File menu > Save Section File or the Save Section File button to save the section file. 2. Set the units to the desired system using the Options menu > General Options command. Choose inches, feet, millimeters, centimeters or meters. 3. Change the Section name by clicking the Section menu > Edit Section Properties command or the Section Materials Properties to access the Section Material Parameters form. Type a button name for the Section in the Section Caption edit box. 4. Click the Section menu > Start New CALTRAN Section command to bring up the CALTRANS Sections form, shown in Figure 3-1. 5. Select the cross-section type by clicking on the appropriate button in the Basic Section Type area of the form. The display window will show the Shape and dimensions of the selected Section type. 6. Select a Cross-section Size from the Standard drop-down list or specify the Height, H by typing in the edit box. When you select the Standard cross-section type, the Section in the display window will be automatically updated with the default dimensions. If you specify the Height, click the Refresh button to display the Section.
Note: A section file can be saved at any time during creation. Saving early and often will help prevent data loss.
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Chapter 3 - Creating Sections
Figure 3-1 Caltrans Sections Form
7. As necessary, specify Outer Layer Rebar and Inner Layer Rebar, to arrange the rebar in the cross-section in two layers. Select the bar size from the drop-down list and specify the number of bars. Different bar sizes and numbers can be specified for both layers of reinforcement. 8. Select the bar size for the spiral and its pitch. Transverse reinforcement is always provided in spiral form for CALTRANS Sections. This can be changed; see Step 11.
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SectionBuilder Users Manual 9. Specify other material properties as necessary, such as concrete strength, steel yield strength for main and spiral reinforcements, and the clear cover to the longitudinal bars. The extent of the confined portion is governed by the cover provided. By default, the inner circular confined concrete region of all defined Sections is assigned a Mander Circular Confined stress-strain curves, while the outer portion is assigned a Mander Unconfined stress-strain relationship. 10. Assign a steel model to the reinforcing bars. By default, the Park's Strain Hardening model is assigned. To change the assignment, click the Rebar S/S Curve button to activate the Assign Stress-Strain Curve form. Select the required steel model from the drop-down list. Use the Edit button to view/edit the parameters of the selected curves. The confinement extent and parameters are automatically computed by the program using the reinforcing bar size, its spacing and the cover specified. 11. Click the OK button. SectionBuilder will display the Section in the Main Working Area. Save the section file. Similar to all other parametrically defined Sections, CALTRANS Sections can be edited. For example, click the Section menu > Edit Section Properties command or the Section Materials Properties to access the Section Material Parameters form and click button the Ties checkbox to change the transverse reinforcement from spiral to ties. Other parameters can be modified by clicking the Edit button on the Section Material Parameters form to access the Material Set Properties form. To modify a Shape that makes up the Section, double click on it to access the Shape Editor. 12. To compute the Section properties based on the dimensions and material properties defined for the Section, click the Compute Basic Properties button ; when that computation is complete, click the Compute Torsional Constant and Shear Area button . Save the section file. 13. Add another Section to the Section file by clicking the Add New Section button . Change the Section Caption using the Section
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Chapter 3 - Creating Sections Material Parameters form (click the Section Materials Properties button ); if necessary, click the Edit button to access the Material Set Properties form to adjust the property definition. Repeat Steps 4 through 12 as necessary. to select the items 14. Click the Report Generation Wizard button to be included in a printed report for the Section. Click the Preview to review the report before using the Current Report button Print Current Report button . Save the section file.
Sections and Section Files

Section files store the individual Sections. More than one Section can be stored within a single Section file. The topics covered in the paragraphs that follow describe adding, naming, accessing, and deleting Sections within a Section file and creating, opening and saving Section files.
Note: The status bar at the bottom of the window displays the total number of Sections in a Section file as well as the base material type (i.e., Concrete or Hot-Rolled Steel).
Add a Section to a Section File and Change Its Name

Use the Section menu > Add New Section command or click the Add to add a blank Section to the open section file. New Section button SectionBuilder will suggest sequential section names or Section Captions (i.e., Section1, Section2, Section3 and so forth). Change the Section Caption on the Section Material Parameters form, shown in Figure 3-2, which is accessed using the Section menu > Edit Section Material Properties command or the Section Material Properties button .
Move from Section to Section within a Section File

The Section Captions for the Sections within the same section file display in the Section List on the toolbar. Use the Previous/Next buttons (left and right arrows) to navigate between the Sections in the open Section file.
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Figure 3-2 Change Section Captions using the Section Material Parameters Form
Delete a Section from a Section File

Use the Section menu > Remove Current Section From File command or click on the Remove Current Section form File button to remove/delete the currently displayed Section from the open Section file. Note that a deleted Section can be restored using the Undo command as long as the section file has not been saved since the Section was deleted.
Create and Save a Section File

Use the File menu > New Section File command or click the New Section File button to create a section file. Similar to other Windowsbased programs, SectionBuilder will prompt you to save the unsaved section file, if any, before creating a new one. It is recommended that you save any unsaved files before starting a new Section file. Use the File menu > Save Section File or File menu > Save Section File As command or the Save Section File button to save the section file at any stage of creation. SectionBuilder will prompt you for a filename and path.
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Open a Section File

Use the File menu > Open Section File command or the Open Section File button to open a previously saved section file. SectionBuilder will prompt you to save an unsaved section file, if any, before opening another one. SectionBuilder will prompt you for the filename and path.
Export Sections to a .DXF File

Click the File menu > Export to .DXF File command to access the Export Sections to DXF form and export the geometric data of the selected Section(s) to a DXF file. AutoCAD can open and DXF files. In the Select Sections to Include area of the Export Sections to DXF form, check the check boxes of the Sections you wish to include in the export. SectionBuilder provides default selections for the other preferences on this form, which are generally self-explanatory. Use these preferences or select your own from the drop-down lists, or type in the desired preferences to the edit boxes. When you click the Generate File button, SectionBuilder will generate the file and store it under the file name and path specified in the Output DFX Filename edit box.
Export the Section File to a .PRO File

Use the File menu > Export Properties to PRO File menu to write the section properties to a .PRO file that can be read by ETABS and SAP2000.
Delete a Section File

SectionBuilder cannot be used to delete a Section file. Use a file management software, such as Windows Explorer, to delete Section files.
Define Material Properties

In SectionBuilder each Shape or Section must have a material property, which is defined from various input parameters. SectionBuilder provides
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SectionBuilder Users Manual default material property definitions and also provides tools for changing those defaults. Define material properties as follows: 1. Click the Options menu > Material Set Properties command or the Material Set Properties button to display the Section Material
Note: Material Properties are 2. assigned to a Section by default, but you can change the properties using the Section menu > Edit Section Material Properties command.
Parameters form, shown in Figure 3-3. On the Material Set Properties form, choose the desired parameters for the following properties.
Basic Material. Choose Concrete or Hot-Rolled Steel from the drop-down list to set the basic material type for the open Section. The base material is the global reference material and the material in terms of which all the section properties will be computed. Different Shapes in the same Section can have different material types but they will be converted by the program to be in terms of the base material type for calculations. Sub Material Type. Use the default or choose a sub-type from the drop-down list for the Basic Material. The sub-types define different grades of concrete and steel. For example fc = 2.5 ksi to 8 ksi. Similarly, if Hot-Rolled Steel is the main material type, choose ASTM-36, ASTM-50 or User Defined.
After the main and sub-type have been selected, the program displays default properties values associated with the material type and subtype for the following items. Use the defaults or overwrite them by typing in the edit boxes.
Concrete fc is the ultimate compressive strength of the concrete as defined in the ACI-318 Code. Yield Strength fy is the value of the yield strength of steel to be used in design as the main reinforcement. Yield Strength Fys is the value of the yield strength of steel to be used as the secondary or shear/torsion reinforcement. Ultimate Strength Fu of the steel when this is the selected material.
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Note: The material options and default values of the various parameters depend on the current units and design code selected using the Options menu > General Options command.
Figure 3-3: Default Material Properties for Concrete

Modulus of Elasticity E is one of the most important values to be specified. It is the standard modulus of elasticity E of the material and is used as the basis for property calculations of Composite Sections. Unit Weight is the density of the material or the weight-per-unitvolume of the material (not used by the program in any calculations but provided as additional material information for general purposes). Coefficient of Thermal Expansion is used for temperature load based computations (not used by the program but provided as additional material information for general purposes).
3. On the Material Set Properties form, defines the stress-strain relationship to be used in capacity calculations for the Section. The capacity calculations are based primarily on an individual Shapes stress-strain relationship and the material type assignments. Click the Stress-Strain Curve drop-down list to view the variety of default and user-defined stress-strain curves available. Select a curve
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SectionBuilder Users Manual from the drop-down list and click the Edit button to open the StressStrain Curve Editor shown in Figure 3-4.
Figure 3-4 The Stress-Strain Curve Editor
For Standard curves the relationship cannot be modified, but for User-Defined Curves, the user can specify the values of strain and the corresponding stress on the Curve Data tab. Clicking the Refresh button will update the stress-strain graph in accordance with the data provided. The material properties defined on the Material Set Properties form are available globally (similar to a material library) for assignment to any Shape in the current Section file. The material properties defined are saved as a part of the Section file.
Add Shapes to a Section

In SectionBuilder, a Section is made up of one or more Shapes. The Shapes can originate from default and user-defined libraries or Shapes can be drawn on the Main Working Area. The following subsections describe those methods of adding Shapes to a Section.
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Add Shapes from a Library

Shape Libraries consist of a collection of predefined Shapes that can be used to create new Shapes and Sections. The entire Shape collection is grouped into several categories, as follows:

Basic Concrete Basic Steel Box Girder Bridge Pier Shear Wall Fillets and Chamfers Standard Steel Shapes that comply with the following codes:
American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) (inch and metric units are in separate libraries) Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) British Standard

User-Defined Shape Libraries
Note: Appendix A 1. Select the Section menu > Add Shape From Library command or provides further inforclick the Add New Shape to Current Section button . Alternamation about or the Add tively, click the Add Basic Concrete Shape button Shape Libraries, including and select Add Shape From Library Basic Steel Shape button the process for at the bottom of the drop-down list of shapes. This will open the creating a user-defined View and Select Library Shape window. Figure 3-4 is a screen shot Shape library, of the Basic Concrete Shape Library displayed in the View and Sewhich can lect Library Shape window. make adding frequently used 2. Select an appropriate library and click the Next button , or douShapes to a Section even ble click on the selected (highlighted) library icon. A window showquicker and ing all the Shapes in that library will appear on the screen (see Figure easier.
To add a Shape from one of these libraries to an open Section:
3-4 for an example).
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Figure 3-4:
Basic Concrete Shapes Library Displayed in the View and Select Library Shapes Window
Note: In the Standard Steel Shapes library, it may be necessary to click the Next button twice to display the list of standard steel sections.
3. Select the desired Shape from the list and double click on it or click to add the Shape to the Add Shape to Section and Close button the open Section in the middle of the Main Working Area and close the View and Select Library window. If you plan to add several Shapes from the library, click this checkbox View and Select Library window open until you close it. To add another Shape from another library, click the Show Main Libraries button on the View and Select Library Shapes window and move through the available libraries of shapes to locate the next desired Shape. Repeat Steps 2 and 3. Appendix A provides more information about Shape Libraries, including a summary of the functions of the toolbar buttons in the View and Select Library Shapes window. to keep the
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Add Shapes by Drawing

If the Shape you need is not available in any one of the SectionBuilder built-in libraries, use the following process to draw the required Shape. 1. Set up the Main Working Area. For example, click the Snap to Grid to enable the Snap to Grid feature. If Snap to Grid is acbutton tivated, the mouse makes only discrete movements, which are defined by simple multiples of the grid. This affects moving and resizing Shapes. For more precise control, you may wish to modify the grid sizes using the Paper Grid Plan button . 2. Click the Draw Closed Shape button or select the Section menu > Draw Shape command. Note that the cursor changes to a + sign.
Note: 3. Click the left mouse button in the Main Working Area at each locaIntersecting tion where you want a node. Repeat the process to draw all of the lines are not allowed in nodes of the Sshape. Double click to end the drawing. SectionBuilder.
Figure 3-5 illustrates adding a Shape to a Section by drawing.
Figure 3-5: Adding a Shape by Drawing
Delete a Shape from a Section

To delete a Shape, select the Shape and click the Edit menu > Delete Selection command or the Delete Selection button .
Delete a Shape from a Section
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Edit or Modify a Shape

Depending on its origin, a Shape's dimensions and properties can be modified. With respect to making these modifications, the Shapes are of the following four types:
Database Shapes: Code-specific steel database Shapes with dimensions and properties not computed using SectionBuilder. Parametric Shapes: Basic steel and concrete Shapes defined parametrically (i.e., by defining dimensions). User-Drawn Shapes: Shapes created by drawing on the screen and by modifying library Shapes added to the Section. Merged Shapes, Including Holes: Shapes created from at least two other Shapes.
The following table summarizes the types of Shapes and the methods to modify them.
Table 3-1 Summary of Editable Shapes Editing Method Use Shape Editor to change parametric dimensions Use the mouse and resizing handles to resize the overall shape Use Shape Editor to change coordinate values Use the mouse to move nodes/change node coordinates Database Shapes N/A Parametric Shapes OK User- Drawn Shapes OK Merged Shapes OK Holes
OK
N/A
OK
OK
OK
OK
N/A
N/A
OK
OK
OK
N/A
OK
OK
OK
OK
Note: OK = Allowed, N/A = Not allowed
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Edit or Modify a Shape
Shape Editor
Note: Understanding the features and functions of the Shape Editor is critical to setting up the Section. Use the Shape Editor to assign Shape properties as well as to add rebar to a Shape.
Complete information about a particular Shape can be viewed and edited using the Shape Editor. The Shape Editor can be accessed using one of the following commands:

Click the Section menu > Edit Current Shape command. Click the Edit Current Shape button .
Double click the left mouse button on the Shape to be edited.
The following describes some important features and functions of Shape Editor:
Note: Coordinate points shown on the Shape Editor are for display only and CANNOT be changed. Use the Shape Layout Editor to edit coordinates of editable Shapes. Note: Shapes can have individual Shape Captions separate from the Section Caption.
The Shape dimensions are visible on the graphic display/drawing area. The Shape is shown in the main workspace with the orientation as defined on the Coordinates tab. The dimensions shown in the main workspace match those on the Dimensions tab. Switch the display between the overall dimensions of the Shape and the actual X and Y coordinates of its corner points by clicking the Dimensions tab and the Coordinates tab. If the Shape is an editable shape (see Table 3-1), the Dimensions tab is editable; the Coordinates tab is not (see "Shape Layout Editor" to edit coordinates points for editable Shapes). The Properties area of the screen displays the properties computed for the Shape based on the specified dimensions and material properties. When changes are made, click the Accept Changes button bar to update the view and recompute the properties. on the tool-
The Shape Caption, Main Material Type, Sub Material Type, Concrete Fc and Modulus of Elasticity (E) display the parameters previously defined for the Shape using the Section Material Parameters form (accessed using the Section Materials Properties button ) and the Material Set Properties form (accessed using the Material Set ). Read the next paragraph with respect to modiProperties button fying these parameters.
Shape Editor
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Shape Geometric Properties Shape and Dimensions Display
Material Definition Dimensions Display and Edit
Stress-Strain Curve for the Shape
Note: Figure 3-6 shows the Shape Editor screen. The Property Multiplier is The Property Multiplier is one of the most important factors for comthe ratio of the puting properties of composite Sections and their capacity design. Each E of the Shape Shape of a Section must be assigned a Material (or Stiffness) factor for to the E of the Section. Seccomputing its equivalent properties. This factor/property multiplier is tionBuilder used to transform the properties of a Shape (material type specified computes the using the Shape Editor) to the equivalent properties in terms of the equivalent base material (Section material type specified using the Section Matematerial factors to conrial Parameters form). To assign this factor to the Shape, specify the vert Shape Modulus of Elasticity values for each Shape in a Section. The program properties in calculates the modular ratio to be used in calculations when you click terms of the base Section the Compute button. The following example illustrates the concept of material. the Property Multiplier:
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Shape Editor
E for Section = 4,000 ksi (specified using the Section Material Parameters form) E for Shape = 3,000 ksi (specified using the Shape Editor) Thus, the Property Multiplier for the Shape = 3,000/4,000 = 0.75
Use the Stress-Strain Curve drop-down list to assign a stress-strain relationship to the current Shape. (The available curves were defined in the Material Set Properties form.) Assigning a stress-strain curve to each Shape in the Section is important with respect to computing Section capacities, as explained in Chapter 4. Use the Shape Type check boxes to specify that the current Shape be a solid or hollow part of the Section. Use this option in conjunction with the Stacking commands to create a Section that has a hole. Note that the program does not check the validity of the hole, location or size.
Shape Editor Toolbar Buttons

The Shape Editor toolbar consists of the following buttons.
Note: The Shape Editor does not have an Undo button.
Button
Function Accepts the latest changes and updates the graphics and properties window. The Shape Editor window remains active. Sets the cursor to select mode so you can select items in the display area. Click to add rebar, then place the cursor in the display area and click the left mouse button to add rebar of the diameter shown on the drop down list. This mode will remain activated as long as this button remains selected. Click on it again to return to normal mode (selection mode) or click the selection button.
Shape Editor
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Button
Function Click this button and then move the cursor to "hover" over rebar in the display area. A message box will then appear and display the rebar property. Select rebar in the display area and click this button to remove it and place it on the Clipboard. The cut Shape can then be pasted onto the Shape Editor display area. Hold down the Shift key while clicking on the rebar or use windowing to select multiple rebar. Select rebar in the display area and click this button to copy it to the Clipboard. The copied rebar can then be pasted within the Shape Editor display area. Hold down the Shift key while clicking on the rebar or use windowing to select multiple rebar. Click this button after using the Cut or Copy commands to Paste the rebar from the Clipboard into the Shape Editor display area. Note that SectionBuilder pastes the rebar into the center of the display area. Click the Selection button , click on the rebar, and drag the mouse to move it to the desired location. Select rebar and click this button to delete it. Hold down the Shift key while clicking on the rebar or use windowing to select multiple rebar. Select rebar and click this button to access the Assign Rebar Strength form where you can specify a rebar strength for the selected rebar. Hold down the Shift key while clicking on the rebar or use windowing to select multiple rebar. Select rebar and click this button to access the Assign Rebar Curve form where you can specify a rebar stress-strain curve for the selected rebar. Hold down the Shift key while clicking on the rebar or use windowing to select multiple rebar. Accesses the Adding Rebar by List window, which provides various tools to add multiple rebar in a single operation. Accesses the Rebar Location Editor where you can modify the X and Y coordinates for the rebar by typing values in associated edit boxes.
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Shape Editor
Button
Function Drop down list to select the diameter of a bar. Check the diameter shown in this form before adding any bar. To change the diameter of a currently selected bar(s), click on this drop down list and select the new bar size. To change rebar sizes of rebar in the display area, click on the rebar and then click the drop-down list and choose the desired size. Select rebar and click this button to distribute the selected rebar horizontally at equal spacing. Hold down the Shift key while clicking on the rebar or use windowing to select multiple rebar. Select rebar and click this button to distribute the selected rebar vertically at equal spacing. Hold down the Shift key while clicking on the rebar or use windowing to select multiple rebar. Select rebar and click this button to align the selected rebar vertically, i.e., with a vertical line passing through their midpoints. Hold down the Shift key while clicking on the rebar or use windowing to select multiple rebar. Select rebar and click this button to align the selected rebar horizontally, i.e., with the same horizontal line through their midpoints. Hold down the Shift key while clicking on the rebar or use windowing to select multiple rebar. Select rebar and click this button to distribute the selected rebar into the Shape's corners. Hold down the Shift key while clicking on the rebar or use windowing to select multiple rebar. Select rebar and click this button to distribute the selected bars to the Shape's sides. Hold down the Shift key while clicking on the rebar or use windowing to select multiple rebar. Select rebar and click this button to distribute the selected rebar along the Shape's perimeter. Hold down the Shift key while clicking on the rebar or use windowing to select multiple rebar. Click to specify rebar offsets from the corners.
Shape Editor
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Button
Function Click to specify minimum spacing between rebar. Click to display/hide the rebar diameter/size caption. Click to show or hide the plate lines defined for the Shape Click to turn Snap to Grid on and off. Click to display or hide gridlines in the display area. Click to reset the entire view for best fit after using the Zoom Out and Zoom In buttons. Click this button and the left mouse button to zoom out, decreasing the size of the Shape in the display area. Click this button and the left mouse button to zoom in, increasing the size of the Shape in the Display area. Click to add the current output (for the Shape shown) to the report. Click to print this Shape only.
Add Rebar Using the Rebar Calculator

The previous section lists the toolbar buttons available in Shape Editor to add, delete, arrange and align the rebar "manually." This section describes using the Rebar Calculator to easily add multiple rebar in a single operation. After the rebar have been added using the Rebar Calculator, use the other toolbar buttons to make adjustments or changes. 1. With a Shape displayed in the Main Working Area, activate the Shape Editor using one of the following methods:

Select the Section menu > Edit Current Shape command. Click the Edit Current Shape button .
Double click on the Shape to be edited in the Main Working Area.
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Shape Editor
Chapter 3 - Creating Sections 2. Specify spacing of the rebar using the Minimum Rebar Spacing button and the Rebar Offset from Edge button . Both buttons access input forms where you type in the desired value. The Minimum Rebar Spacing button specifies the minimum distance between the rebar. The Rebar Offset from Edge button specifies corner clearance. 3. Click the Add Rebar Calculator button Rebars by List form, shown in Figure 3-7. to access the Adding
Figure 3-7: Add Rebar Using the Rebar Calculator
4. Click the numbers in the keypad area of the form to specify the number of rebar to be added. If you make a mistake, click the C (Clear) key on the form keypad. 5. Click the appropriate bar size number (e.g., #3, #4, #5) on the form keypad. To add another group of rebar of a different size, click the + key on the keypad and repeat Steps 4 and 5. Notice that the specified numbers and sizes of rebar appear in the Bar List edit box. 6. When all rebar have been specified, click the = key on the keypad. 7. Check the desired check box in the While Adding Rebar area of the form to specify rebar alignment. The names of the options (Place Around the Perimeter, Place on Corners Only, Place on Sides Only, and Just Place on the Screen) are self explanatory.
Shape Editor
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SectionBuilder Users Manual In the event that the current corner clearance and minimum bar spacing specified in Step 2 are incompatible with the alignment choice, SectionBuilder will place as many bars as possible in the specified alignment and then place the remaining bars adjacent to the Shape for manual placement. Depending on the number of rebar not aligned, it may be advantageous to delete the rebar that have been added and return to Step 2 to specify new values for the clearance and minimum spacing. 8. Indicate if the rebar are to be added to existing rebar (check the Add to Existing Rebar check box) or replace existing rebar (uncheck the Add to Existing Rebar check box).
Delete Rebar
The rebar already added on the Shape can be deleted at any stage as follows: 1. Select the rebar that you want to delete by clicking on them or windowing over them in the display area of the Shape Editor. 2. Click the Delete Selection button board. 3. Click the Accept Change button or the Delete key on the keyto update the properties.
Change the Diameter of the Rebar

To change the diameter of the rebar: 1. Select the rebar to be changed by clicking on them or windowing over them in the display area of the Shape Editor. 2. Select the new diameter from the drop-down list 3. Click the Accept Change button .
to update the properties.
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Shape Editor
Shape Layout Editor

The Shape Layout Editor allows precise placement of Shapes in the Main Drawing Area by editing coordinate points of the Shapes used to create a Section. Use the Section menu > Edit Shape Layout command or click the Edit Shaped Layout button to access the Shape Layout Editor, shown in Figure 3-8. The Shape Layout Editor displays information about the number of Shapes and their coordinate locations in the current Section. The coordinates shown here are global coordinate values.
Figure 3-8: Shape Layout Editor

Sr/No is the serial number of the Shape. It cannot be edited. The Shape Caption is the name of the Shape. Type a new name in the edit box, if desired. The new Shape Caption will also appear on the Shape Editor. The Multiplier represents the modular ratio of the Shape and the base material. It is the Property Multiplier on the Shape Editor. Cord-X0 is the X-coordinate of the center of the Shape. It can be changed to move the Shape to a specific position along the X-axis. Cord-Y0 is the Y-coordinate of the center of the Shape. It may be changed to move the Shape to a specific position along the Y-axis. The
Note After a Shape has been rotated or flipped, some of the editing features may not be available.
Shape Layout Editor
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SectionBuilder Users Manual X and Y coordinates are in respect to the coordinate origin shown as the X Y (not the 2-3 system) on the main working area.
The Angle is the angle of the Shape with respect to the X-axis measured in the counterclockwise direction. The angle can be specified to align a Shape at any orientation between 0 and 360 degrees. Vertical or horizontal orientation of a Shape can be set or changed using the flip and rotate buttons on the toolbar.
Add Fillets
Note: Adding a fillet to a parametric Shape (i.e., library Shape) converts the Shape to a polynomial that can no longer be modified parametrically.
Fillets of user-specified radii can be added to selected Shapes. The data required to add a fillet to a Shape is the point where you want to add the fillet, the radius of the fillet and the number of points on the curve of the fillet. To add a fillet to a Shape: 1. Select the Shape to which you want to add the fillet in the Main Drawing Area. 2. Click the Section menu > Add Fillets command or the Add Fillet at Selected Point button to access the Add Fillet at Shape Point form. The coordinate points (nodal points) of the selected Shape will be displayed on the Main Working Area. If you have selected a parametric or a database shape, SectionBuilder will prompt to change it to a polynomial. 3. From the drop-down list, select the node point to which you want to add the fillet. 4. Specify the radius of the fillet you intent to add and the number of points on the curve of the fillet. The number of points will determine the smoothness of the curve. More points will result in a smoother curve. The program will automatically calculate the included angle at the selected point for the given radius. 5. Click OK. The specified fillet will be added to the selected Shape on the Main Working Area.
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Add Fillets
Merge Shapes
Two editable Shapes (see Table 3-1) with the same material properties that have a common edge or that overlap can be merged, with the following exceptions.

Holes cannot be merged with solid Shapes. Holes cannot be merged with holes. No more than two Shapes can be merged at a time.
To merge two Shapes: 1. Select the two Shapes to be merged. 2. Click the Section menu > Merge Shapes Using Mesh command or the Attempt to Merge Shapes Using Mesh button or the Section menu > Merge Shapes Using Outline command or the Attempt to Merge Shapes Using Outline button .
3. Verify that the two Shapes have been successfully merged by displaying the Shape outline or as a filled Shape using the buttons identified in Table 3-2. When you merge two Shapes, the new Shape takes on the properties and property assignment of the first Shape selected for merging.
Table 3-2 Buttons to Display Shape Outlines and Fills Displays the Shape outline only. Displays the Shape as a solid. Displays the solid Shape as well as the mesh used to compute J. Displays only the mesh used to compute J.
Merge Shapes
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SectionBuilder Users Manual If the final merged Shape is not as expected, or as it should be, try one of the following: a. Undo the task using the Undo button , and try again.
b. Accept the new Shape (i.e., click the Accept Changes and Refresh button). Select the Shape and click the Edit Current Windows Shape Points button to display the nodal points of the merged Shape. Select the nodal points and drag them with the mouse to the desired location.
Add Holes
Use the following procedure to create a hole in a Shape or Section: 1. Add a Shape (first Shape). By default, the Shape Type is Solid until you change. 2. Add a Shape whose size is equal to the size of the hole (second Shape). 3. Move the second Shape to the place where the hole is to be created (generally inside the first Shape). To move the Shape, select it and drag it with the mouse or use the arrow keys on the keyboard. 4. Double click on the second Shape or use the Edit Current Shape button to open the Shape Editor. Set the Shape Type to Hole . 5. Click OK to accept the change and return to the main workspace. Verify that the hole has been created properly by making the "solid" portion of the Shape visible using any of the buttons identified in Table 3-2.
Edit a Shape Using the Mouse

The geometry of a Shape is defined by a number of lines/curves connecting nodes. Nodes are defined by coordinates with respect to some
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Add Holes
reference axes. In addition to modifying the coordinates of the nodes using the Shape Editor, a Shape can be changed using the mouse. Figure 39 illustrates a Shape modified using the mouse.
Figure 3-9: Shape Editing by Moving Nodes (top right node moved)
To move the node of a Shape using the mouse: 1. Select the Shape to be modified. 2. Click the Section menu > Edit Current Shape Points command or the Edit Current Shape Points button to highlight the nodal points of the Shape on the screen. 3. Select a node and drag it to the desired location. Repeat with additional nodes as necessary to achieved the desired Shape.
Edit Shapes using Toolbar Buttons

Note: First select a Shape, then click the desired Shape alignment tool.
Depending on the geometry of a Section, the arrangement of the Shapes that make up the Section may vary from very simple to relatively complex. To handle all such situations, SectionBuilder has a large number of toolbar buttons for aligning, flipping, rotating and stacking the Shapes. Refer to the "Toolbars" and "Menus" sections in Chapter 2 for a description of the various toolbar functions to accomplish Shape alignment. It is important to note that in SectionBuilder Stacking is performed on the basis of the relative location of the Shapes, whereas the alignment is performed on the basis of the first Shape selected, in the order of selection.
Edit Shapes using Toolbar Buttons
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Two important notes about rotating and flipping: If you want to rotate as well as flip a Shape, do the rotation first and then the flipping. The opposite order may create some unexpected results.
After a Shape has been rotated or flipped, some of the editing features may not be available.
Rotate Entire Section

The Rotate Entire Section tool activates the Rotate Section form. Use that form to specify the angle of rotation for the entire Section. The options available for rotation are as follows:
Rotate to Align with Principal Axis: Rotates the active Section to align it with its Principal Axis. If the Sections current orientation is along the Principal Axis, no rotation takes place. Rotate by Angle about Centroid of the Section: Rotates the Section about its centroid at a user-defined angle. The angle may be specified in degrees. Positive angles define rotation in the counterclockwise direction, while negative angles result in clockwise rotations. Rotate by Angle about a Specified Point: Rotates the Section about any user specified point defined in terms of the x and y coordinate. The angle is specified in degrees. Specify the angle of rotation and the point about which the rotation is required. Positive angles define rotation in the counterclockwise direction while negative angles result in clockwise rotations.
Computation of Sectional Properties

To improve the overall performance of the program, the Section properties are computed using two separate commands.
Use the Results menu > Compute Basic Properties command or the Compute Basic Properties button (or Click F7) to compute all the properties except the Torsional Constant J and Shear Area.
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Use the Results menu > Compute Torsional Constant J command or the Compute Torsional Constant and Shear Area button Click F8) to compute J. (or
The process for computing Torsional Constant J and Shear Area is iterative and generally time consuming, which slows down the interactive process. This becomes more important when the user has selected the option to compute properties automatically after each modification (Options menu > View Options command). Moreover these properties may not be required as often as the rest of the properties in the practical design world. The geometric properties for closed Shapes are computed using the procedures explained in Chapter 4 of this manual. The basic properties computed by the program are summarized in Table 3-3.
IMPORTANT NOTE All of the geometric properties of the Section are computed in terms of the base material defined for the Section. For example, assume a Section is made up of Shapes of normal reinforced concrete (including reinforcing) and hot rolled steel. If the base material defined for the entire Section is ordinary concrete (the same as the first Shape), the properties of other Shapes are converted into equivalent ordinary concrete Shapes. This process of transformation from materials of different properties into a single common base material enables us to treat the Transformed Section as a Section of homogeneous materials. The equivalent property in terms of base material is computed using the Modular Ratio or the ratio of the modulus of elasticity of the base material, to that of the material of the Shape that needs to be transformed.
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Table 3-3 Summary of Properties Computer by SectionBuilder Property Section Size and Location: Specific Data Type

Total Width Total Height Center Xo, the location of the centroid with respect to the coordinate origin Center Yo, the location of the centroid with respect to the coordinate origin

Centroids of the Section with respect to section boundaries: Gross Cross Sectional Area: Second Moments of Inertia of the Gross Area: Section Modulii:
X-bar (Right) X-bar (Left) Y-bar (Top) Y-bar (Bottom) Area (Ax) Inertia (I33) Inertia (I22) Inertia (I32) Modulus S3 (Top) Modulus S3 (Bot) Modulus S2 (Left) Modulus S2 (Right) Gyration (r3) Gyration (r2) Principal Angle () Inertia (I33) Inertia (I22) Torsional J Shear Area A3 Shear Area A2 Plastic Modulus (Z3) Plastic Modulus (Z2)
Principal Radius of Gyrations: Principal Moments of Inertia and Angles: Torsional Constant: Effective Shear Areas: Plastic Section Modulii:
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Design of Sections
In addition to defining and computing Section properties, SectionBuilder can be used to design structural Sections. The interaction curves, interaction surfaces, moment-curvature curves, and stress plots are based on user-specified design codes and specifications. At present, the program supports various standard codes of practice for steel and concrete Shapes, including AISC and ACI. Options related to design of stress-strain curves are provided. The Section capacities are computed using the first principle, and adjusted capacity factors are specified in the design code. Chapter 4 explains SectionBuilder's Capacity Calculations and Design capabilities.
Create a Report Using the Report Creation Wizard

As the name indicates, the report creation wizard helps the user to generate and format the report in a systematic way. When you click the Results menu > Report Creation Wizard command or the Report Creation Wizard button , the Report Creation Wizard form shown in Figure 3-10 appears:
Figure 3-10: Report Creation Wizard
1. In the Select Sections to be Included area of the form, check the check boxes of the sections to be included in the report.
Design of Sections
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SectionBuilder Users Manual 2. In the Output Items to be Included area of the form, check the check boxes of the items to be included in the report. It is possible to select different items for different Sections. For example, items such as project information, calculation procedures, and so forth can be selected for the first Section, and then for the remaining Sections, you can choose to print only the results, assuming that the project information, calculation procedures and so on are consistent across all Sections in the Section File. 3. After the required items have been selected, click the Generate Report button to finish the report generation process.
Preview the Report

Click the Results menu > Preview Current Report command or the Preview Current Report button to preview the report before sending it for final printing. Figure 3-11 shows a preview of a sample report. Various navigational buttons (first page, next page, page up / down and so forth) are provided to view different report pages. Clicking the left and right mouse button on the preview window will zoom in and out of the view respectively. To print the report, click the Print button in the upper left-hand corner of the report previewer. To close the previewer without printing, click Close button near the middle of the toolbar at the top of the screen.
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Preview the Report
Figure 3-11: Previewing the Report
Print the Current View

Any graphic view currently displayed on the screen can be sent for printing by clicking the File menu > Print Current Section command button. This is useful for quick printor the Print Current Report ing of the current section without using the Report Generation Wizard. The current view can be added to the report by clicking the Add Current View to the Report button . The report can then be printed later.
Print the Current View
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View Options
Use the Options menu > View Options command to specify options related to display color, drawing scales and auto refreshing on the View Tab of the Options and Preferences form.
Display Color
Different colors can be assigned to different Shapes comprising a Section. Color assignment apply to both on-screen display and printed output, assuming the output is generated using a color printer. The three options for defining color-coding are as follows:
Color Based on Shape Number. Each Shape in a Section will display in a different color, regardless of the material properties assigned to the Shape. Color Based on Stress Strain Curve. Each type of stress-strain curve will display in a different color. Use this option to display Shapes assigned the same stress-strain curve in the same color. Color Based on Material. Each type of material (i.e., steel, concrete and hollow Shapes) will display in a unique color. Use this option to display Shapes assigned the same material type in the same color. Both border and fill colors can be specified for this option.
NOTE: If two or more overlapping Shapes have the same Property Multiplier but different stress-strain relationship, it is possible that both shapes will displayed in the same color, signifying that one of the materials has superseded the other. In such a case, increase or decrease the Modulus of Elasticity of either material slightly. The material with the higher Modulus of Elasticity will retain its mesh and the other material will not be shown in the area of overlap.
Drawing Scales
All Shapes added from a Shape library are drawn in true proportions on screen as well as when printed. SectionBuilder automatically scales the drawing area to fit the Shapes.
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View Options
To create extra space around the Section or Shape drawing, specify the fixed drawing area larger than necessary.
Auto Refresh
SectionBuilder can automatically refresh graphic views and results after changes have been made in the Main Drawing Area. Three options are available. Refresh Graphic View. The cross-section displayed in the Main Working Area will automatically be updated following any changes to the Shapes comprising the Section. Recompute Basic Properties. The data displayed in the Properties area of the SectionBuilder screen will automatically update following any changes to the dimensions or property assignments. Recompute Additional Properties. SectionBuilder will automatically recompute the additional properties following any changes to the Shapes comprising the Section.
View Options
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CSISectionBuilder
Chapter 4
Designing Sections
Introduction
In addition to defining Sections and computing their geometric properties, SectionBuilder can calculate Section capacities, plot the results graphically, and quickly and easily generate reports that include the input data, the output data, and the graphical presentation. The main topics presented in this chapter describe plotting the combined stresses caused by various combinations of P, Mx and My (or M2 and M3 as used in ETABS and SAP2000) and Shear and Torsional stresses; and generating interaction curves and surfaces and viewing the generation process. In addition, the steps required to plot moment-curvature curves are also described. It is assumed that the user is familiar with the basic concepts of structural concrete mechanics (especially the structural interpretation of the design parameters) and structural analysis results.
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Chapter 4 -Designing Sections
VERY IMPORTANT SectionBuilder computes the capacity of a Section using the mesh derived for each Shape based on the material properties and the stress-strain relationship provided for that Shape. The capacity of the entire Section is computed by summing the contribution of each individual Shape. This means that the Section Capacity is NOT COMPUTED based on equivalent Section as used for computing geometric properties. This is also the reason for specifying separate properties and stress-strain curves for individual Shapes of a Section. However, SectionBuilder does compute the neutral axis and centroid for the entire Section before deciding which part of which Shape falls in which stress zone (under tension or compression). A Shape might be:

Entirely under compression Entirely under tension Under compression and tension
After deciding the prevailing stress condition in each Shape, the corresponding stress-strain relationship is used to compute its capacity. The capacity of each Shape is computed using rigorous first principles. This process is repeated for all Shapes in the Section. Finally, the total capacity of the Section is computed by summing the capacity of each Shape (rebar included). This process can be viewed graphically using the Interaction Surface Generation Viewer.
Compute Section Capacity

The following assumptions and procedures apply when SectionBuilder computes Section capacities.
Basic Assumptions
All components of the Section are capable of deformation in accordance with the stress-strain curve defined for them (for each Shape), without buckling or without local failure. This does not necessarily mean that the entire Section has to be plastic. It is possible that some
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SectionBuilder User's Manual parts of the Section are made from separate Shapes with their stressstrain curve defined in such a way that the Shape fails even before reaching its yield strain. This assumption signifies that the Section capacity is computed using the stress-strain curves defined for each Section component.
The assumption of strain compatibility is valid across various components of the Section. In other words, a perfect bond or connection exists between all components of the Section. It is not necessary to assume that plane sections remain plane after deformation. A nonlinear strain distribution across the Section depth may be specified. In fact, it is possible to define separate stress-strain relationships for different parts of the same Shape, by dividing the Shape into Sub-Shapes with desired stress-strain properties.
Design Calculation Procedure

The Section to be designed can be defined in terms of individual Concrete Shapes, Steel Reinforcing, Pre-Stressing Strands, Steel Shapes or a combination of these types of Shapes. The stress-strain relationship for each material is defined separately. In addition, different stress-strain relationship can be defined for the same material (e.g., different Shapes defined using the same material can be assigned different stress-strain relationships). After the Section has been defined, it is automatically meshed into quadrilateral and triangular elements. A strain distribution for the Shape is then assumed based on a specific angle and depth of the neutral axis. For the assumed strain distribution, the strain in the individual meshed elements is computed. For that strain, stress in the element is obtained from the appropriate stress strain curve defined for the material at the element location. The stress within each element is then integrated using the appropriate Shape function. Then the resulting stresses for the entire Section are summed to determine the axial section capacity. A similar approach has been used to determine the moment capacity of two orthogonal axes. This theoretical capacity is then modified using the appropriate capacity reduction factors (based on the design code).
4-3
Generate Section Capacity Interaction Diagrams

Section capacity interaction curves are a highly useful tool for the design of columns subjected to uniaxial and biaxial moments. Use SectionBuilder to generate these curves and plot several combinations of P, M2 and M3 as 2D plots and 3D surfaces. Generate a Section Capacity Interaction diagram using SectionBuilder as follows. 1. With a Section displayed in the Main Drawing Area, click the Results menu > Show Interaction Diagrams command or the Interto access the Section Capacity action Diagram Viewer button Interaction Diagram form. 2. Select the type of curve to be generated by clicking the appropriate button: Shows the P-M Curve in the display area for a specified strain and moment direction. Shows the M-M Curve in the display area for a specified strain and axial load value. M-M diagrams display the horizontal cut surface outlines at certain heights along the vertical P axis in P- M2-M3 surface plots. Shows the P-M-M Surface for a limiting strain value, plotting the variation of all three parameters governing the Section capacity in a single 3D graph. P is plotted along vertical axes and Mx and My as two orthogonal horizontal axes. 3. Click the Show Parameters button to display in tabular form the basic parameters of the Shapes and materials for which the interaction curves and surface are generated. Click the P-M Points tab or the M-M Points tab to view tables listing the curve generation points for the P-M and M-M plots and the interaction surface. 4. Specify if the interaction curve is to be closed on the compression side (click the Close Surface in Compression button ) on the
4-4
) or on both sides (click both buttons). Note that closing the curve on the tension side may result in a shift of the curve because the last integration point will be on the vertical axis. This may not be the actual behavior of the Section. The shift is significant in cases with unsymmetrical sections.
IMPORTANT 5. Click the Limiting Strain button to define the Maximum Strain NOTE on the Limiting Face of the Section for generating the curve. RealisMake sure that tic strain values will produce realistic results; unrealistic strain values the maximum strain value is will produce results with no meaning. realistic. Unrealistic 6. Select a capacity reduction factor from the drop-down list: strain values will generate a. With phi factors (capacity reduction factors applied) results with no meaning.
tension side (click the Close Surface in Tension button
b. Without phi factors
c. Without phi factors and Fy increased by 25% 7. Customize the display depending on the type of capacity plot or surface selected in Step 2: a. P-M diagram (P-M Curve button lowing: Plot the P-Mx Curve (angle = 0) Plot the P-My Curve (angle = 90) Select or specify the angle of neutral axis, from 0 to 360. b. M-M diagrams (M-M Curve button from the drop-down list. ). Color coding of the c. Interaction Surface (P-Mx-My button various P-Mx-My parameters is used to display the Interaction Surface. To read the display, compare the color used in the ). Select a Pu value
). Select one of the fol-
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graphic with the numeric color key on the sidebar. Choose the parameter to be plotted by clicking the appropriate button: Colors the diagram to display variations of Mx and displays Mx values on the side bar. Colors the diagram to display variations of My and displays My values on the side bar. Colors the diagram to display variations of P and shows P values on the side bar. Further customize the display of the Interaction Surface using any of the following buttons: Change the shading of the graphic. Toggle the 3D gridlines off and on. Toggle the outline on the surface off and on. Rotate the plot (view) to the left on the vertical P axis 8. Click the Add Output to Current Report button to include the graphic, as displayed, in the report printed using the Report Creaon tion Wizard button or Print Current Report button the Main Toolbar. Change to another graphic and click the Add again to include it in your Output to Current Report button report. Repeat as necessary. Note that the 3D Interaction Surface diagram alos can be copied to the Clipboard using the Copy button and then pasted into other Windows-based programs. Figure 4-1 shows a 3D interaction surface.
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Figure 4-1: A 3D Interaction Surface
View the Interaction Surface Generation Process

Generating interaction curves and surfaces requires a significant amount of mathematical computations. The process requires that the Section properties be calculated several times. With a Section displayed in the Main Drawing Area, click the Generate Interaction Surface button on the Main Toolbar (not on the Capacity Interaction Diagram form) to activate the Interaction Surface Generation viewer. This viewer allows you to view the complete 3D interaction surface generation process as the location of neutral axis changes for each cycle of calculation. The user has control over the level of refinement, which can be achieved by setting increment angles, number of points on the curve and slice thickness. Because of repeated cycles of computations, the process to generate the complete 3D surface generally takes time. However, once started, the process can be stopped (interruppted) at any time by clicking the Cancel
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button. After the process has been completed, the user can view the surface by clicking the View Capacity Curve button, which opens the Interaction Curve Viewer. See the subsection above for details about viewing various interaction curves and surfaces.
Plot Stresses
SectionBuilder allows you to plot the various stresses on a Section caused by the combined effects of axial force, moment about the major and minor axes, torque and shear. Use this feature as follows. 1. With a Section displayed in the Main Drawing Area, click the CrossSection Stress Viewer button on the Main Toolbar to bring up the Stress in Section form. 2. Use the SectionBuilder defaults or enter your own values for Normal Stress (load, moment about the x axes, moment about the y axes), torsional stress (torque), and shear stress (stress in the y direction, stress in the x direction). 3. Choose Coarse, Fine or Very Fine mesh to be used in displaying the stress plot. 4. Choose the type of stress plot by clicking the appropriate button on the Stress in Section form: Axial Load. The program defaults to this setting. Click the Refresh Display button to display the axial load plot. Shear Stress Absolute Shear Stress due to Torsion Signed Shear Stress due to Torsion Shear-Torsion Stress Cracked Section Stresses
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Plot Stresses
SectionBuilder User's Manual Color coding of the stress distribution is used to display the plot. To read the display, compare the color used in the graphic with the numeric color key on the sidebar. 5. If desired, display the stress distribution along a specified line of the Section by clicking the Show Curve Guides button Show Stress Curves button and the or the Show Stress Curves Out-
line button . Use the mouse to move the guides over the graphic display to the desired location. Click the Refresh Display button. 6. Click the Add Output to Current Report button to include the graphic as displayed in the report printed using the Report Creation on the Wizard button or Print Current Report button Main Toolbar. Change to another stress plot and click the Add Outagain to include another plot in put to Current Report button your report. Repeat as necessary. Use the following buttons to adjust the display: Show dimensions and centroidal axis on the section. Display the plot on a black background (default). Display the plot on a white background. Zoom in and out of the Section display.
The Figures 4-2 and 4-3 show some examples of stress plots in a Section.
Plot Stresses
4-9
Figure 4-2: Axial Stress Plot
Figure 4-3: Absolute Shear Stress Plot of Torsion
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Plot Stresses
Prestress Check
SectionBuilder provides an effective tool for checking stresses on a prestressed Section. Use this feature as follows: 1. With a Section displayed in the Main Drawing Area, click the CrossSection Stress Viewer for PS button bring up the Prestress Check form. 2. Specify values for load, moment about the x axes, and moment about the y axes. Specify a prestress Force in kips and the location of the force (Center X and Center Y relative to the Section centroid). The location of the prestress force will be identified in the display by a "bullseye" . Click on it and drag it with the mouse to change the values for Center X and Center Y graphically. The display automatically updates with every movement of the force location. Color coding of the stress distribution is used to display the plot. To read the display, compare the color used in the graphic with the numeric color key on the sidebar. 3. Choose Coarse, Fine or Very Fine mesh to be used in displaying the stress plot. 4. Click the Refresh Display button to display the plot based on the input parameters. 5. If desired, display the stress distribution along a specified line of the Section by clicking the Show Curve Guides button Show Stress Curves button and the or the Show Stress Curves Outon the Main Toolbar to
line button . Use the mouse to move the guides over the graphic display to the desired location. Click the Refresh Display button. 6. Click the Add Output to Current Report button to include the graphic as displayed in the report printed using the Report Creation on the Wizard button or Print Current Report button Main Toolbar. Repeat Steps 2 through 6 and click the Add Output
Prestress Check
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to Current Report button report. Repeat as necessary.
again to include another plot in your
Use the following buttons to adjust the display: Show Section dimensions. Displa the plot on a black background (default). Display the plot on a white background. Zoom in and out of the Section display.
Figure 4-4 shows an example of stresses plotted on a Section with applied actions and prestressing parameters:
Figure 4-4: Axial Load Plot Showing Prestress Force
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Prestress Check
Plotting Moment-Curvature Curves

Note: The computation required to plot a momentcurvature curve can take some time. Please be patient.
SectionBuilder allows you to plot moment-curvature curves at a specified neutral axis angle of a Section for a given axial load. These curves are intended primarily for Reinforced Concrete Sections. Use this feature as follows: 1. With a Section displayed in the Main Drawing Area, click the Moment-Curvature Viewer button ture Diagram form. to access the Moment Curva-
2. Specify a maximum strain (i.e., strain at failure) and the increments to be used in plotting the strain. 3. Specify the failure criterion by checking the appropriate check box: a. Maximum strain is reached b. Any part of section fails c. All parts of section fail d. The first rebar fails e. Selected Section part fails. Choose a section part from the dropdown list. If the Section is a single Shape, the Section will be the only option. 4. Specify the section angle. 5. Specify the axial load. Any value of axial load can be specified, including zero. 6. Click the Generate button. Strain values display on the status bar as SectionBuilder completes the computation. When complete, SectionBuilder displays values for Yield Moment, Yield Curve, Maximum Moment, and Maximum Curvature in the Results area of the form. 7. Click the Add Output to Current Report button to include the graphic as displayed in the report printed using the Report Creation
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on the Wizard button or Print Current Report button Main Toolbar. Repeat Steps 2 through 6 to include another plot in your report. Repeat as necessary. To stop the calculation process, click the Cancel button (lower left portion of the form). To close the Moment Curvature Diagram form, click the Close button (upper right corner of the form).
Figure 4-5: Moment-Curvature Curve Plot
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CSISectionBuilder
Appendix A
Managing Section Files and Shape Libraries

Overview
This Appendix describes various types of files used and created by SectionBuilder. Some of these files are for the internal use of the program (called Program Files) and some are created and managed by the user (called User Files).
Program Files
Program files are installed automatically in appropriate directories during program installation. Do not delete, move, modify or edit these files in any way. Program files consist of two categories: standard shape library files and program data files.
Standard Shape Library Files

Standard shape library files contain editable parametric Shapes and non-editable Shapes from various steel databases. Some of these files
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SectionBuilder Users Manual are installed in the program directory and some in the \Shape Libraries subdirectory. These files have .csf and .lsd extensions.
Program Data Files

Program data files contain material properties, unit conversion factors, rebar sets and similar program data. All of these files are installed in the program directory and have an .ssf extension.
User Files
User files can be created, modified or deleted and consist of two types: section files and user-defined shape library files.
Section Files
Section files store the Sections. They can be saved and opened from any directory on the hard disk and can be moved or copied using standard Windows file operations. Section files have a .csb extension and are managed using the commands on the File menu.
User-Defined Shape Library File(s)

As the name suggests, user-defined shape library files are created by the user to organize the basic Shapes available in the standard shape library files. After a user-defined library file has been created, it can be used in the same way a standard Shape library file is used. Userdefined shape libraries are managed using the toolbar buttons on the Library Viewer, which is used to add Shapes to the current Section. Details on how to use this toolbar are provided later in this Appendix. The subsequent pages in this Appendix provide information on the contents of the files identified previously, and describe tools to create and mange these files.
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Overview
Appendix A - Managing Section Files and Shape Libraries
Types of Shape Libraries

SectionBuilder uses Shape Libraries to organize various standard and basic Shapes that may have sub-shapes associated with them. The subshapes are the same as the parent Shape but they have different dimensions. The Shape Libraries consist of two categories: standard shape libraries and user-defined shape libraries.
Standard Shape Libraries

Standard shape libraries consists of editable parametric shape files and non-editable database files of code-specific steel shapes. 1. The editable parametric shapes are provided in the Basic Shape Libraries and include the following types of shapes:

Basic Concrete Basic Steel Box Girder Bridge Pier Shear Wall Fillets and Chamfers
2. The non-editable code-specific steel shapes are consistent with the following codes:

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) (inch and metric units are in separate libraries) Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) British Standard
User-Defined Shape Libraries

As the name suggests, user-defined shape libraries are created by the user. Frequently used shapes from the standard shape libraries can be organized into these easy access user-defined libraries. For example, if you often work with industrial projects involving steel trusses and concrete columns, you may only require some of the readily
Types of Shape Libraries
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SectionBuilder Users Manual available AISC-Metric shapes, such as L or C shapes (which are stored in the ACI-Metric Shapes library), and some concrete shapes such as rectangle or circular (which are stored in the basic concrete shapes library). You can create a user-defined Shape library and copy the desired shapes from the other libraries into it for easier frequent access. Userdefined Shape libraries can be stored on any directory and can be added to or removed from the main Library List at any time. Do not confuse user-defined Shape libraries with Section files. Section files store Sections. User-defined Shape libraries store shapes selected from other Shape libraries.
Working with Shape Libraries

To access any of the Shape Libraries, click the Section menu > Add Shape From Library command to bring up the View and Select Library Shapes window. The toolbar buttons on View and Select Library Shapes window are enabled or disabled depending on the level of the library where you are working. Please refer to the section entitled "Add Shapes from a Library" in Chapter 3 for an explanation of the procedures for viewing, selecting, and adding library shapes to Sections from a library. The functions of the buttons in the View and Select Library Shapes window are described as follows:
Button Function Saves the current library with default or current name. Saves the current library with a user specified name. Saves all library files. Moves back one level in the library Moves down one level in the library.
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Button
Function Jumps to the top level (the main library list). Adds the currently highlighted Shape to the main workspace and closes the View and Edit Library Shapes window. Opens a file selection window to select and open a new library file. Removes the currently highlighted library from the current file. Cuts the currently selected Shape and places it on the Clipboard. Copies the currently selected Shape and places it on the Clipboard. Pastes the Shape temporarily stored on the Clipboard to the current library. Prints the Shapes list in the current library. Starts SectionBuilder Help.
Create a User-Defined Shape Library

To create a user-defined library, 1. Click the Section menu > Add Shape From Library command or the Add New Shape to current Section button to bring up the View and Select Library Shapes form. 2. Click on <New Library> in the Main Library List of the View and Select Library Shapes form to highlight it, and then click the button. Open Library 3. Specify the name of the library in the Create New Shape Library form and click the OK button. A blank library with no Shapes will be displayed in the Library List. 4. Use the toolbar buttons, such as the Show Main Libraries button, to move through the available libraries of shapes and lo-
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SectionBuilder Users Manual cate the Shape to be copied into the newly named user-defined library. 5. Use the Copy button to copy the selected Shape, and then use the toolbar buttons to move back through the libraries to the newly created library. 6. Use the Paste button to paste the copied Shape into the library. 7. Repeat Steps 4, 5, and 6 as necessary to load all of the desired Shapes into the newly created library. 8. When the desired Shapes have been loaded into the newly created library, use the Save Current Library button to save the library.
Add a New Library to the Library List

To add a predefined library file into the main Library List, complete the following simple steps: 1. Click the Section menu > Add Shape From Library command to access the View and Select Library Shapes form. 2. Click the Add Library From File button file opening/selection window. to open the standard
3. Highlight the desired library file to select it and click the Open button. SectionBuilder copies the library file and adds it to the main Library list.
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Figure A-2: Adding a Predefined Shape File
Remove a Library from a Library List

Any of the shape libraries included in the main library list can be easily removed. To remove a library, 1. Select the library that you want to remove. When selected, the library name will appear highlighted. 2. Click the Remove From List button Note that this process will not remove the file from the computer. The file will still be available for future use if required.
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SectionBuilder

USERS MANUAL AND TECHNICAL REFERENCE

Computers and Structures, Inc. Berkeley, California, USA

Version 8.1.0 December 2002

Figure 1-1 SectionBuilder Welcome Screen

New Features in Version 8.1.0

New Features in Version 8.1.0

New Features in Version 8.1.0

Structural Shapes and Sections

Structural Shapes and Sections

Results and Output

Geometric Properties Section Capacity

Capacity interaction curves Moment-curvature plots

The interaction curves are displayed as:

Results and Output

Stress Distribution Calculations and Plots

Results and Output

Screens, Toolbars and Menus

Chapter 2 -Screens, Toolbars and Menus

Figure 2-1: Key Components of SectionBuilder

Figure 2-2: SectionBuilder Main User Interface Layout - Screen Shot

SectionBuilder User's Manual

Main Working Area

Working Area Toolbar

Scroll Bars Status Bar

Figure 2-3: SectionBuilder Main Workspace

Main Working Area

Chapter 2 -Screens, Toolbars and Menus

Figure 2-4: Editing Plan Grid Size in SecitonBuilder

Main Working Area

Figure 2-5: The X-Y and 2-3 Axes Systems

Main Working Area

Chapter 2 -Screens, Toolbars and Menus

Toolbars and Menus

Toolbars and Menus

SectionBuilder User's Manual

Toolbars and Menus

Chapter 2 -Screens, Toolbars and Menus

Toolbars and Menus

SectionBuilder User's Manual

Toolbars and Menus

Chapter 2 -Screens, Toolbars and Menus

Toolbars and Menus

SectionBuilder User's Manual

Toolbars and Menus

Chapter 2 -Screens, Toolbars and Menus

Toolbars and Menus

SectionBuilder User's Manual

Toolbars and Menus

Chapter 2 -Screens, Toolbars and Menus

SectionBuilder User's Manual

Stress-Strain Curves for Materials

Chapter 2 -Screens, Toolbars and Menus

Stress-Strain Curves for Materials

SectionBuilder Users Manual

General Process for Creating a Section

General Process for Creating a Section

General Process for Creating a Section

General Process for Creating a Caltrans Section

General Process for Creating a Caltrans Section

Chapter 3 - Creating Sections

Figure 3-1 Caltrans Sections Form

General Process for Creating a Caltrans Section

General Process for Creating a Caltrans Section