Virtual Work Diagrams

[Trenno]

I have only recently started to investigate the Energy/Virtual Work Diagrams feature within ETABS.

I'm curious how many others are using it to assess lateral stability systems?

Few initial thoughts:
- Would there be any benefit if CSI broke down each degree of freedom (ie axial deformation of a column * axial load) as opposed to take the sum of the individual Forces*Displacements + Moments*Rotations?
- This was you could clearly identified what in particular is driving the design (axial, shear or moment).
- When would you ever want to multiply forces and displacements from different load cases?
- Seems like a handy tool to compare two different lateral stability systems. What effect does adding an outrigger here have, what effect does thickening the walls here have... etc etc...

Keen to hear other thoughts on how they use these diagrams (if anyone does).

 

[JoshPlumSE]

I'm curious how many others are using it to assess lateral stability systems?

I've never used it for lateral stability. However, I have looked at the results to understand which beams or columns are most effective in resisting drift. That way, I can focus on up-sizing the members that are likely to make the biggest difference.

Not sure that it was as insightful as I hoped it would be. I was thinking of using it as a way to automate member sizing most efficiently. I didn't get very far in the process though.

 

[Celt83]

Here's what Ashraf has to say about it: Link

My Personal Open Source Structural Applications:

https://github.com/buddyd16/Structural-Engineering

Open Source Structural GitHub Group:

https://github.com/open-struct-engineer

 

[Trenno]

Thanks Celt, I came across it when I was researching this.

Surely other people have used this method and have some opinions on the above queries?