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  1. fracture_point

    AREMA Rail Design - Spanning between posts without supporting beam

    The lateral load of 25% axle load has to be considered in either lateral direction. Yep, I've kept it to L/500 which is client's requirements (treating it as simply supported whereas it will be continuous). It's long and continuous. The 8000lb/ft is for trailing cars I believe, so you would...
  2. fracture_point

    AREMA Rail Design - Spanning between posts without supporting beam

    An E80 train set, so the two loading situations I need to consider are below (whichever causes critical loading).
  3. fracture_point

    AREMA Rail Design - Spanning between posts without supporting beam

    I'm working on a project where we are trying to determine how far a 136lb AREMA rail can span between posts. The architect wants to maximize the spacing between posts just using a column cap, but we are trying to assess how far these things can span without have a support W-beam beneath.(see...
  4. fracture_point

    ETABS API - GetGridSys_2

    Any chance you can share some of your findings? What type of playing around did you have to do? Cheers!
  5. fracture_point

    ETABS API - GetGridSys_2

    I got the following response from CSI: (I haven't tested it yet)
  6. fracture_point

    ETABS API - GetGridSys_2

    Interesting. I thought named the feature 'Get' was unusual but the inputs required seemed to make me think this method would draw grids, seeing as though it requires an array of numbers. I have emailed CSI for official confirmation. I'll check back once I have a response.
  7. fracture_point

    ETABS API - GetGridSys_2

    I'm writing some code to draw gridlines through the API using Python, but for some reason the ETABS model does doesn't reflect the data. There is no error showing in my console so it seems like the code passes. xGrids = [0,5,15] yGrids = [0,5,15] xGridNames = ["1","2","3"] yGridNames =...
  8. fracture_point

    ETABS - Moment Frame Beam Type

    What seismic checks is it imposing? Can you share a screenshot?
  9. fracture_point

    ETABS - Moment Frame Beam Type

    These are special types of connections that are typically used for seismic design and where areas of plasticity may be expected. You should leave this as 'standard moment connection' unless it is your intent to change them for special connections. You should select the frame members you want to...
  10. fracture_point

    SetPresentUnits and SetPresentUnits_2 in ETABS API

    I figured it out and thought I would share it here incase anyone else was interested. You can set up the default units for the project within the initialize model method: SapModel.InitializeNewModel(6) The variable 6 sets the model to kN_m_C, leaving this argument blank will default to...
  11. fracture_point

    SetPresentUnits and SetPresentUnits_2 in ETABS API

    I have tried using both the SetPresentUnits and SetPresentUnits_2 methods in the ETABS API when running my script to draw my framing. It works and places the elements with the correct geometry, however the default viewing units in the model returns to imperial, rather than staying as it has been...
  12. fracture_point

    Add Area by Coord Method - ETABS API

    Do you guys have any advice on the following thing: I am trying to get ETABS to draw slab area elements on each floor using Python. I have a list containing point data for each node's XYZ coords on a given story: [[[0.0, 0.0, 3.0], [0.0, 24.0, 3.0], [24.0, 24.0, 3.0], [24.0, 0.0, 3.0]]...
  13. fracture_point

    Add Area by Coord Method - ETABS API

    Thank you both for the info, I appreciate how active you both are!
  14. fracture_point

    ETABs Drift Calculation

    There's a chapter in Chopra's second edition of Earthquake Engineering that covers why you cannot consider the deformed shape of a response spectrum to be accurate. I believe it's called 'avoiding a pitfall' or something similar.
  15. fracture_point

    Add Area by Coord Method - ETABS API

    I'm trying to write some code in Python that draws a slab in ETABS. However, API documentation is scarce for Python for this method. An example is given for VB: 'add area object by coordinates ReDim x(5) ReDim y(5) ReDim z(5) x(0) = 50: y(0) = 0 x(1) = 100: y(1) = 0 x(2) =...
  16. fracture_point

    Error when getting Python to attach to ETABS

    First code I'm going to write it to take raw coordinate data from Revit (using a dynamo script) and then develop a python code that will build a model with the geometric data in ETABS. I think it will be a good project to develop an understanding of the API. Then I'm not sure which direction I...
  17. fracture_point

    Error when getting Python to attach to ETABS

    I am working in comtypes 1.1.7. I actually switched to Anaconda instead of Pycharm and it seemed to fix the issue, I have no clue why.
  18. fracture_point

    Error when getting Python to attach to ETABS

    Hi. Thanks for the reply! I actually saw this thread before posting but I don't really understand what the __init__ file is doing. Are you able to provide any context? Do I need to have that at the beginning of my code? It seems Bjorn managed to fix his issue but didn't explain why.
  19. fracture_point

    Error when getting Python to attach to ETABS

    Hi, I'm using the following code: import sys import comtypes.client try: myETABSObject = comtypes.client.GetActiveObject("CSI.ETABS.API.ETABSObject") except (OSError, comtypes.COMError): print("No running instance of the program found or failed to attach.") sys.exit(-1) SapModel =...
  20. fracture_point

    Why isn't continuity of moment around a rigid joint fulfilled under a buckled shape?

    My only concern is that my above point would contradict the freebody diagram drawn by the author here:

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