Assigning Varying uniform loads on slab in ETABS

[LoneStarEngineer]

Hello friends,

I am modelling a building in ETABS (V 9.2), and this is my first time using the software. I have already gone through the Tutorial and the reference manuals.
I have a question about modelling loads of different magnitudes on the floor.

To start, ETABS lets you input area loads on defined slabs/deck. But what if I have 3 or 4 different load magnitudes on the same slab?
Do I have to break the slab into pieces wherever my loads are changing?

Also, what is a better way of modelling wind loads for buildings: Exposure from diaphragms exposure from area objects?

Any insights into this is deeply appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[ke27on]

To answer the varying load question, you can draw null areas to add in additional load. Put a null area for each area with a different load. I do this all the time for areas of slab that need to receive different loading.

One thing im not sure is if you can enter trapezoidal loads. There might be a way but I havent. But assuming you just need different various uniform loads, you can use null areas as i suggested.

 

[serrojo]

abrar245,

I have to agree to ke27on on the slab issue,

as to the second I have tied to use the diaphragms exposure, but had no good results, in stead Assigning the pressure coefficient to an area object looks much more controlled, since you can draw manually all the area elements and later define which of them takes the corresponding value as well by hand, so you are in charge of how the wind load impacts your structure. If you assign a group to a diaphragm you can't choose what Cp value to assign to each part.

At least it was my experience, if anybody had different view please share how to do.

best regards

MSc. Eng. Serguei Joa
Tel: +5352460358
mail: sm.joa@bouygues.cu