Alternate program recommendations

[hairdizaster]

I am learning ETABS, and I have to say it seems pretty unstable and is fairly frustrating. Does anyone have a recommendation for another program or one that seems more current with an updated interface? I spend a lot of time fixing small issues with the models, redrawing walls or slabs that don't connect.

Advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[jenofstructures]

i think thats the best thing with ETABS, (although in STAAD, you can also see the failures)

The thing is, with Etabs, you can already know whats wrong with your model because it gives you some warnings and the coordinates of it

Its just giving the information on overlapping areas, lines etc.

One engineer told me once that software is all about GIGO garbage in garbage out, or if your in Europe you can say it RIRO, Rubbish in rubbish out

 

[Skicat]

I've played around with RISA, STAAD and RAM programs and ETABS seems to be far easier to use than the others. If you have problems with elements not aligning and other geometric issues, you might review your input methods. I've been using SAP and ETABS for about 3 years now and have not had the issues you are describing. Modeling is fast and easy, analysis runs fast and is arguably the most accurate of the commonly available programs.

 

[jenofstructures]

Skicat , how did you model ramps in etabs?is it in shell?or in membrane?
i cant see the real distribution of etabs from slab to beam
they said that the load is already transferred to the column, but i need to see it in beam,how can i do that?
please help me

 

[rahrah00000]

you should be very careful when modeling.. you can use snaps to ensure that your pointing on the right locations.. and if you want you can always check your model from time to time so that it is not hard for you to check the errors...
etabs is user friendly and one of the best when it comes to building designs..

 

[Skicat]

CSI recommends using thin shell elements for nearly all concrete wall/slab elements. I'm not quite sure about the second part of your question. Can you be more specific? Thanks.