MODELLING OF MASONRY STRUCTURES USING ETABS

1. Saving the Autocad layout with .dxf extension

2. Running ETABS from the bottom right menu choose the measurement units
according with the self-habitude. For the lengths the units used in AutoCAD
drawing it is obligatory. During the modelling process these units can be
changed but usually, after each save and run option the program will return to
the initials. There is an option to export the model as an .e2k extension text
file, with the preferred units, to close than the model without saving and to
import the .e2k file. Then save the file. In this way, the chosen units system
will remain permanent. So pay a great attention when youll collect the results.

3. From the menu bar you must choose: FILE/IMPORT/DXF File of Architectural
grid

4. A new window will open

5. Select - No

6. A new window will open in which you may find and select the .dxf extension
drawing file you need to import.

7. After this selection, a new window will open, from which select the desired
layers, holding [Ctrl] key pressed. To simplify the introduction of the structural
walls you can select layers of axes and walls:

8. At this point in the two default ETABS windows the imported model drawing
appears. By default it will have four levels each one with a height equivalent of
three meters. Check that the import was done correctly, first like appearance and
the dimensions:

The Import is correct

The Import is wrong the unit length is chosen with a higher degree then the AutoCAD
one

The Import is wrong the unit length is chosen with a lower degree than the AutoCAD
one

9. As for simplifying the data entry were selected as axes traces in ETABS
(including the walls), is necessarily to reduce to zero the bubble size which label
the axes. For this purpose double click on one of the axes:

10.A new window will open. Please select one of the axes:

11.A new window will open:

12.At Bubble the size must be zero and please put a check mark in the right boxes
from a Primary Line and Apply to all options:

13.In the ETABS model the axes notations will disappear and the model is much
easier to read and manipulate:

14.Taking into consideration the real number of the building levels you must keep
or modify the initial data. Whether you want to introduce a number of additional
levels or to delete a number of levels from 4 predefined levels, this will be
mandatory in the range of 1 to 4. It is not recommended to add the levels above
the 4th one because the axes will disappear. For this purpose enter Menu / Edit /
Edit Story Data

If youll keep the number of levels and just to modify the heights you must enter in
Edit Story. Here you can also to change the names of the levels.
If you want to introduce additional levels enter Insert Story.
If you want to delete levels please enter in Delete Story. You will select the level or
the levels that will erase by holding pressed the [Ctrl] key and then select OK.

15.For example, removing two levels the following model form occurs:

16.To simplify the model data acquisition you may close the right 3D window by
clicking the X which appear in the upper right of it:
17.Youll obtain a single window - a plan view, in which both axes of the structural
elements and the dimensions in the plan will occur.

18.For various reasons such as lack of axes you need it to define the structural
vertical and /or horizontal elements. To enter them in ETABS you can use a little
trick. Plot a FRAME element in the area where you want to introduce the axis,
select this FRAME element and divide it into two parts:

19.Select the middle joint of the frame and insert a new axis, parallel to X in this
case.

20.This operation will be repeated whenever you need, both on the X or Y axis by
selecting from GRID the desired direction. Finally the plan with all the axes is
complete (excluding the possible positions of the partitions - if there are no other
structural elements in the same positions - beams in their area). Then you may
delete FRAME lines artificially introduced for defining these axes.

21.After completion of "axes" continues to define the other input data. Choose the
plan view and define the structural elements of the levels (preferably the latest)
by selecting the "Set plan view" then the level.

22.You can select a new group of units, depending of designer experience (for
example tf-m):

23.The materials used in modelling you must define by their characteristics,

depending of the state limits you need for the calculations:

For example - CONC the default concrete - you can change the name as you desire.
Also will change in order from top to bottom: density, specific weight, elastic Young
modulus E, Poisson's ratio (giving 0.25 - the program calculates its transverse modulus
G) and coefficient of thermal expansion (if there are no calculations in this regard can
enter zero).

You can introduce other materials, in this case the masonry:

24.As an important observation, although the trend of everyone is going fast

forward, it is recommended that after every step of the way to save what was
defined. For various reasons it can happen that software or computer to block
and can lose everything. Initially using SAVE AS from the Menu/File and
defines a name. Then use SAVE Menu/File or may use [CTRL +S].

25.In the next step you can define different types of structural wall using planar
finite elements (2D). There are some predefined type items as WALL or SLAB
of 25 cm thick reinforced concrete. So for example if you have two types of
walls (25 and 50 cm) of masonry, first you may change the type of wall - WALL
1 which is default:

26.Then you can define the other wall, with 50 cm thickness as an example. You
have also the possibility to introduce two others elements, without to use de
default one. The material must be masonry, defined before.

27.Also you can use the default SLAB 1 element, changing the thickness and
eventually the material, according with the model:

If you just intend to make a structural computation, without the slab one, in a simplified
manner you may choose to put a check mark at MEMBRANE. If the intention is to
compute the slab also you must put the check mark at SHELL
28.In this moment you can introduce the structural wall (masonry or RC). First you
must select a level where to define them (usually the last one). From the left
menu bar select Draw Walls (Plan) and in the new open window you must select
the WALL section you desire to use:

You can move the open window inside the screen surface in a convenient position to
not disturb you. This you may apply to each interior windows.

29.You must position the cursor to the first joint (of the two that will be inserted to
define the wall) and click on it:

Move the cursor to the second joint (in between youll define the wall) and click... and
so on. When you fully defined a wall at the last joint you may give a double click (or
left click right click), in order to move to the next wall.

You may repeat this operation in order to define all the walls with the same thickness.

30.To define the other walls with a different thickness you must select before from
the opened window another property (Property) for instance 50. To define
these walls you may use the same manner described above.

31.To close the opened window you may click on the arrow button from the left bar
menu (Select Object):

32.You may choose a 3D view to correct any mistake.

Then you may turn back in a 2D view window, to continue with the new data definition.

33.It will further define the type sections of beams columns, column ties, beam ties,
beams etc. Select the MENU / DEFINE FRAME SECTIONS and introduce step
by step the desired sections:

34.You must define the column ties positions in accordance with the pre-design
rules. From the left vertical menu bar you must select Create columns in regions
or at clicks (plan):

35.A new window will open in which you may select the section as STALPISORI,
for example:

36.You must position with a simple click the column ties step by step.

37.From the left vertical menu bar you must select then Draw lines (Plan,
Elev.,3D) to position the beam ties or the beams. In the new open window you
must select the section, CENTURI, as an example:

38.Define element positions fixing the cursor on the first node by clicking and
moving on to the next node with one click. At the last node a double click (or
left click, right click) you must use.

And so on until all elements are inserted

39.You must repeat all these operations, for different sections and elements.

40.You can further define the floor slabs. Select from the left toolbar "Draw
Rectangular Areas (Plan View):

41.A new window will open from which you may select the 2D elements for the
slabs:

42.You must select the 2D element you wish to use, for instance PLACA. You must
define the slab panels, fixing the cursor on the first left bottom joint by a click
and keeping the left mouse button push you will move the cursor until the right
top joint. You can repeat the same operation style for each rectangular slab panel.

43.After these operations you must push the arrow from the left vertical bar menu
Select Object:

44.You may select all the slab panels entering in MENIU/SELECT/by

WALL/SLAB/DECK SECTIONS in function of the desire section (for instance
PLACA) or in MENIU/SELECT/by AREA OBJECT TYPE using FLOOR
selection.

Or

45.For a correct calculation is recommended to use the auto mesh option for the
slabs.

46.Select the Auto Mesh Object into Structural Elements/Further Subdivide Auto
Mesh with Maximum Element Size of. For instance 0.3 m or 30 cm.

47.It will divide the FRAME elements in the finite element model by the position
grids and walls. Use the shortcut by pressing [Ctrl] and then the [A] (which
means select all) and then enter the MENU/EDIT/DIVIDE LINES which opens
a new window, where you mark a check "Break with Intersections with selected
lines and points".

48.You must declare the slab as a horizontal diaphragm by selecting all the joints
from that level, starting from left bottom outside of the layout until outside of
the layout right top:

49.From the top horizontal bar you must choose the DIAPHRAGMS icon and then
D1 horizontal diaphragm

50.You may define all the load cases in MENIU/DEFINE/STATIC LOAD CASES.
For instance DEAD=PERMANENTE, LIVE=UTILE, X=seism on X and
Y=seism on Y.

A new window will open:

You may observe that the DEAD Self Weight Multiplier is by default 1 (one), to take
into consideration the self-weight loads.

To define the seismic base coefficient you must select each load case separately (X and
Y) with a click on Modify Lateral Load. For instance if CB=0.2. For X:

And also for Y:

51.You must introduce the vertical gravitational loads on the slab panels, previously
calculated. You must have into consideration that the self-weight of the
elements are computed by the program itself. The loads must be divided in
DEAD, LIVE, SNOW, etc. As an example let say that the dead loads onto slab
panels are 0.15 tf/sqm (1.5 kN/sqm) and a live load of 0.3tf/sqm. You can have
different loads on different slab panels so you must pay attention during the
defining. If all the slab panels have the same loads you can select all of them and
assign the same load. Preferably the loads are introduced with normal values
following that the coefficients will appear in accordance with the combinations.

From the MENIU bar you may select Assign Uniform Load

From the MENIU bar you may select Assign Uniform Load

A new window will open where youll select the load type DEAD=PERMANENTE or
LIVE/UTILA or other load types previously described.

You must introduce the load values (according to measurement units). Pay attention to
the loads direction.

Repeat the operation for each load type.

52.Define the loads combinations using

COMBINATIONS

Continue with Add New Load:

MENIU / DEFINE / LOAD

As an example lets use GF for gravitational loads in Fundamental Combination:

Then GS for gravitational loads in Special Combination:

Lets use XP as a combination of GS previous combination and the X seism on positive

sense:

Lets use XN as a combination of GS previous combination and the X seism on

negative sense:

Lets use YP as a combination of GS previous combination and the Y seism on positive

sense:

Lets use YN as a combination of GS previous combination and the Y seism on

negative sense:

Since when masonry wall structures, active areas for tensile or compression can be
different in both senses of action for each main direction, the final model it will be
copied by 4 different names and the envelope efforts are given properly.

As an example for the model where the x direction seism act in the positive sense.

Choose the Type ENVE.

Finally the combination cases being:

53.You must define the level masses looking in MENIU/DEFINE/MASS

SOURCE.

Please choose From Self and Specified Mass and Loads using DEAD with a
coefficient 1 and LIVE with 0.4. If there are also different other loads you must count
them.

54.All the introduced data until now are for just one level. For all the other levels,
thinking that are similar (in a different case you must locally change the loads)
you may select the entire level in a 3D view (using [CTRL] + [A] complete
selection). From MENIU/EDIT/REPLICATE please select STORY and in our
case STORY1..

The program will copy (replicate) all the selected data from the previous declared level
to all the others (STORY 1 in our case).

55.Attention should be given to supports of the building base - which must be set
to FIX SUPPORTS. The program does not automatically consider in this way,
so you have to go to the plane, select all nodes at the base (as we did on other
occasions) or icon to select "Assign Restraints" on the bottom menu bar. It will
open a new window in which to mark a check all the possible restrictions.

56.The final model must be with fix supports at the base.

57. In the next step will be split in finite element all the structural walls. Number
and size of the FE (finite elements) will be determined so that they can easily
declare assets compressed or tensed areas. For buildings with low and medium
height system can accept finite elements with dimensions of about 30x30 cm.

58.Because all we import from AutoCAD seems to be axes for ETABS you must
follow only the valid axes. As an example you may start with the first
longitudinal axe which in this case is 100.

59.You may select the 100 elevation (as an example).

60.This is the 100 elevation.

61.If the plan you can measure dimensions, in elevation this cannot be done directly.
You can however select "Draw Line" from the left menu bar. Without choosing
a particular type of section.

62.You can fix at the pier left edge with left click and you may move to the right
pier edge pushing a click.

63.Note that on the element type FRAME length is written, in the unit located in
the bottom right corner. In this case, it is of 70.50 cm. To remain not select the
frame element type, press the Escape key. If we choose the division into finite
elements about 30x30 cm, we find that the size of per not divide exactly. How
finite elements must not be absolutely equal, we can accept that the horizontal
division of the element to be in two finite elements (each 35.25 cm what we
choose) or in 3 finite elements (each 23.5 cm). If the height is 300 cm (3m) well
divide the pier into 10 finite elements of 30 cm. We'll keep this division of pier
heights for all the levels.

64.You may select the piers with more or less the same dimensions

65.From EDIT select please Mesh Areas.

66.At Mesh Quads/Triangles you declare in the first box 2 finite elements (on
horizontal layout) and in the second box 10 finite elements (on the vertical
direction) then push OK. Take care that if you mesh an element and then you
save, it is impossible to renounce at this (the FRAME elements are not in the
same problem)

67.In this moment the first pier is divided in proposed finite elements.

68.You may repeat the operation for each pier and elevation.

69.In this moment all the piers are divided in convenient finite elements.

70.In this moment all the piers are divided in convenient finite elements.

71.At this moment, because all the piers were divided in finite elements, we must
do the same operation for Column and beam ties, beams and so on, in the idea
to work together with the other elements.

71. From EDIT please select Divide Lines

72. You may mark as check the second possibility.

73. In this moment all the existing FRAME elements were divided like the piers.

74. In the followings the parapets and spandrels must be described.

75. Please select Draw Rectangular Areas from the left instruments bar.

76. Auto ownership the first property is chosen initialy. Suppose further that we
forget to select the thickness of the wall 50 and we leave it on the 25.

77. Well start to declare the parapets and spandrels, in an order we wish.

78. In this moment in the 100 elevation we almost declare the parapets and spandrels
positions. We must divide these elements.

79. Select all the 100 elevation

80. Select please EDIT, Mesh Areas.

81. Please mark as check the last two options and then push OK.

82. In this moment the parapets, spandrels and piers are divided in convenient finite
elements like the tie columns and beams.

83. You must continue this operation for all the elevations.

84. Returning to the fact that initially we were wrong and we have no correctly
selected a wall thickness of 50 cm for spandrels and parapets in some elevations,
we must go back to those elevations, choose the correct property and select only
those that finite elements thickness are wrong.

85. You can observe that in this moment all the wall finite elements have 50 cm
thickness.

86. You may continue for to declare the spandrels and parapets for all the windows
regions and spandrels for the door regions.

87. In this moment the model is complete, having all the wall piers, parapets,
spandrels, column and beam ties.

88. Since dividing the piers in finite element the base restraints you must go to the
base of the building, to change the restraints to fix supports.

89. Save the "witness" model - you keep itself in this form.

90. Save the model with 5 different names: One model for SLS displacements; one
model for special combination with the positive X seismic action; one model for
special combination with the negative X seismic action; one model for special
combination with the positive Y seismic action; one model for special
combination with the negative Y seismic action.

91. Suppose that you start with the model (s) for displacements. So open the saved
model appropriately named "displacements"

92. You must introduce another concrete material with the same density and selfweight like the initial one but with half of the Young elasticity modulus. This
will be for column ties, beams, and beam ties. The slab will remain with the
initial one.

93. Modify the Young longitudinal elasticity modulus for the masonry material, to
500fk, in accordance with CR6 (Eurocode 6).

94. Change the material type for the FRAME elements.

95. Save the model

96. Run the model

97. The program finished the analysis.

98. From DISPLAY select Show Story Response Plot. Take care about the
measurement units from the left right corner.

99. Select the load case seismic action (X or Y) then Maximum Story Drifts

100.
Using the cursor you may look at the values at each level. For instance, at
the first level 0.0003726 meaning 0.3726.

101.

For instance, at the second level 0.0004081 meaning 0.4081.

102.
Do the same thing for the Y seismic action. For instance, the drift at the
second level is 0.0003998 meaning 0.3998.

For instance, at the first level 0.0003486 meaning 0.3486.

103.

104.
These are relative rotations for each level that need to be changed because
they are calculated with the seismic forces initially defined. The values obtained
at the two levels, in SLS, must be multiplied by behavior factor q and a
coefficient equal to 0.50 for 3rd grade of importance and exposure. In our case,
assuming q = 3.125 (behavior factor) it results that the initial drifts you must
multiply by 3.125x0.50 = 1.5625:

Level

Rotational
drift for X
seism from
ETABS ()

Rotational
drift for Y
seism from
ETABS ()

Rotational
drift SLS
seism X ()

Rotational
drift SLS
seism Y ()

0.4081

0.3998

0.64

0.63

0.3726

0.3486

0.58

0.54

You may observe that the drifts are smaller than the admissible values (accepting an
allowable rotation in SLS about1.5 and 2.5 in SLU). These are different than the
P100 admissible values, because in our case is about a masonry structure and not about
frames with partitions or wall panels.

105.
In the same idea you may observe other structural responses like total
shear forces at each level, on both directions.

106.

Or the total overturning moments at each level, on both directions.

107.

Or the absolute displacements, at each level, on both directions.

108.
You may observe the proper modes of vibration to determine which kind
of displacements appear (translation or torsion).

109.
Note, for example, the mass participation factors for instance the 1st mode
in ETABS is the fundamental mode of vibration in the X direction, and the 2nd
from ETABS is the fundamental mode of vibration in the Y direction (this means
that there is little difference in stiffness between the two main directions of
vibration) and the 3rd mode of vibration from ETABS it is the fundamental
torsion mode.

110.
To collect the efforts you must open the models, according to the direction
and sense.

111.
To be more easy you may hide some of the elements (for instance Floor
Area and Beams), presented in the view. You may keep only the Walls and
Columns.

112.
If the building is uniform onto vertical, in a plan view you can select in
one of the views All Stories from the bottom right menu.

113.
In function of previous computations concerning the active zones for
compression or tension, you may establish the names of the piers and youll
declare them.

114.
From the 3rd raw instruments bar you may select Assign Pier Label. Select
all the finite elements of the pier one (for instance)

115.
From the 3rd raw instruments bar you may select Assign Pier Label. Select
all the finite elements of the pier one (for instance).

116.
Note that the components of the first pillar was already fixed. You must
give the same pier name also for the column ties.

117.
In this idea you must enter in Assign/Frame Line/Pier Label and youll
select the desire PIER.

118.
Note that the column ties has been awarded with the same PIER name as
the wall shell elements. This is repeated for all the wall piers that works in the
longitudinal direction in the sense of the seismic action left to right. Proceed
similarly for the other directions/senses.

119.

In this moment you may observe all the wall piers

120.

And also all the column ties

121.

A general view with all the piers from this model.

122.

Save the model.

123.

Run ETABS.

124.
After the analysis please look first at the measurement units, at the bottom
right corner.

125.

Push Display/Show Tables

126.
Make a check at what you want. For instance the vibration modes and the
wall piers efforts

127.

For the wall piers you must select the loads you wish.

128.
At the proper modes of vibrations you may observe the previous presented
distribution (at displacements section).

129.

Please select Pier Forces to obtain the efforts table.

130.

The wall pier efforts table

131.

You can copy the table ... and...

132.

You can import in Excel

133.

The copied efforts in Excel

134.
You may sort the efforts as you wish. As an example from the load case
point of view.

135.
In Excel you have the efforts table, selected in the desired order. Further
strength checks can be made.
136.

Repeat the operation for each model.

137.

Bending moments diagrams

138.

Shear forces diagrams

139.

Axial forces diagrams

Associate Professor Daniel Stoica

UTCB Bucharest Romania
stoica@utcb.ro
danielstoica2001@yahoo.com