Section cuts in etabs

[bazflexure]

Dear All,
I have viewed the tutorial of section cuts in etabs.. also have looked in the help files and done a google on that, but still I couldn't grip it...
what i need to see is moments at a certain section of a slab

1) Is the section cut data report along the section line drawn or on the left and right of section line..??
2) I couldnt get they way forces are reported./. I mean what does 1 mean, 2 and Z ?????
3) All i could understand from CSI tuts and google that the information given by section cut is reported at the center of section cut... I couldnt figer it out what is meant by left and right..????
4) if i want to obtain negative moment at the end of a way one slab shall my section cut pass along the edge of beam supporting slab or perpendicular to the beam supporting slab???

Please advice...
Thanks in advance

 

[jenofstructures]

i don't use section cut when getting the moment for slab

i advise you to come up with your own spreadsheets (calculations) for slabs. Moment calculation for slabs is given in ACI codes so its easy for you to get it

Another one is that slab and load on slabs in ETABS are good for just transferring the load from slab to members or frames

if you want to know the failures or the most stressed part in your slab, you can use the "Show Member Force / Diagram" in etabs, its in the upper right side of the screen if im not mistaken
hope it could help

 

[bazflexure]

If we talk about one way slabs,
the coefficients given in ACI 8.3.3 have certain requirments. Like it should have 2 or more than two panels etc .. I believe section cuts are a very fast and easy way of getting slabs moments but its out of practise and due to lack of documentation its not being practised widely..