3.6Define Menu

Define menu contains commands that define the databases of the physical properties of the structure and the applied loads.

Type

Allows you to define the structure type (2-D or 3-D frame or truss), and input labels for the project and the engineer.

Units

Allows you to select a system of units to be used. Your choices are English or Metric. For the system selected, specify the units to be used with the different input and output parameters.

Defaults

Allows you to input the default values for the material and section properties. These default values will be assigned to members with no defined material or section properties.

Materials

Allows you to define new materials, or edit existing ones, and input their properties. A material entry consists of label, density, modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio, and thermal coefficient.

Sections

Allows you to define new sections, or edit existing ones, and input their properties. A section entry consists of label and, depending on the section type, section dimensions or properties.

Nonprismatic Members

Allows you to define new non-prismatic members, or edit existing ones, and input their properties. A nonprismatic member entry consists of label, the stiffness factors at member ends, and the carry-over factor.

Loads

Allows you to define new loads to be applied as member loads, or edit existing ones. A load entry consists of label, orientation, direction, type, intensity, and location.

Load Cases

Allows you to define the load cases under which the member loads, joint loads, and joint known displacements, will be defined. Each load case should have a unique label.