How to assign various load combinations to various objects in ETABS ?

[Sooshiant]

Suppose that we have 3 load combinations named Comb1, Comb2 and Comb3. After running analysis we want to design beams by Comb1, braces by Comb2 and columns by Comb3 and for example braces should not design by Comb1 or Comb3.

Is there any automated way to assign each combination to a specific set of objects to prevent ETABS not to check/design all objects by all combinations ?

In other words I need design/analyze/design/analyze... each objects by it's own specific combination just by ONE action (one click on start check/design structure icon) to prevent iterative trial and error process manually.

Previously thanks for your concern and hope to help me.

Best Regards

 

[PSEPK]

In case of ETABS version 9 and Concrete Frame Design, you may use following steps:

1. Analyze your model. and save the analysis results.

2. Select the members you want to design using load combination 'Comb1'.

3. Go to 'Design -> Concrete Frame Design -> Select Design Combo...', remove all the load combinations, from 'Design Combos' list, EXCEPT 'Comb1', and press 'OK'.

4. Design the selected members, using 'Design -> Concrete Frame Design -> Start design /Check of Structure' command.

5. Save the design results, with appropriate/different file name separately.

6. Open the analysis file, saved in Step 2 above.

7. Select this time the members to be designed using load combination 'Comb2' only.

8. Repeat steps 3 to 5, for load combination 'Comb2', in the same way as done for 'Comb1' earlier.

9. You may repeat same process for all different members, by selecting desired design load combinations.

For Steel or other designs, you may use relevant menu command from 'Design' Menu, instead of 'Concrete Frame Design'.

A good structural engineer is often a blessing for others.

 

[Sooshiant]

Thank you. But that is the way I've done for 5 years.

As I said I want to know if there is an option or a tricky way to assign specific combinations to each object BEFORE analyze then design ALL structure just by ONE action (one click on start check/design structure icon) to prevent manually iterative trial and error process.

I think the way we are doing (separate Analyze/Design members) is not a completely true procedure for 2 reasons :
1- It doesn't find the most optimum unique result.
2- On the other hand converging all results are very time consuming, because in a structure each member influences other members.

Including such a simple ability is not hard for ETABS developers.

 

[Sooshiant]

?

 

[PSEPK]

Did you ask from ETABS developers? They are the right people to contact for the purpose.

A good structural engineer is often a blessing for others.