WHAT IS ETABS

ETABS is an engineering software

product that caters to multi-story building
analysis and design. Modeling tools and
templates, code-based load prescriptions,
analysis methods and solution techniques, all
coordinate with the grid-like geometry unique to
this class of structure.
 FEATURES
I.User Interface
1. One window many views :
• ETABS offers a single user interface to perform: Modeling, Analysis, Design, and Reporting.
• A new model explorer is available for quick access to objects, properties, and forms .
2. Hardware Accelerated Graphics
• Direct X graphics with hardware accelerated graphics allow for navigation of models
with fly-throughs and fast rotations.
 II. Modeling
1. Templates
• ETABS has a wide selection of templates for quickly starting a new model.
• At this model template stage, the user has the ability to define grid and grid spacing,
the number of stories, the default structural system sections, default slab and drop
panel sections, and uniform loads (specifically dead and live loads).
2. Model Views
• View and manipulate analytical model with great precision.
• Plans and Elevation views automatically generated at every grid line.
• Easily define custom views and cutting planes to view and manipulate complex
geometry with ease.
3. Grid Systems
• In ETABS, grids can be defined as cartesian, cylindrical, or general free-form grid systems.
4. Drawing Tools
• Many drawing and drafting utilities are built into ETABS to enhance the engineer's modeling
experience.
5. Plans and Elevations
• Plan and elevation views are automatically generated at every grid line to allow for quick
navigation of the model.
6. Meshing Tools
• Engineers have many options when it comes to mesh generation in ETABS.
• Simply select the area object and then select the rules for the automatic mesh generator to use.
7. Interactive Table Data Editing
• ETABS data can be viewed and edited using on-screen dockable tables.
• This is quite useful for defining a model from spreadsheets or viewing analysis or design results.
 III. BUILDING COMPONENTS

1. Towers
• Multi-tower buildings can now easily be
modeled by using the new tower feature.
• Defining towers in an ETABS model allows
users to define unique story levels and grid
systems for different building structures
within the same ETABS model.
2. Beams, Columns, Braces
• In ETABS, beams, columns, and braces are
frame elements that can be straight or
curved.
• They are used in a general, three-
dimensional, beam-column formulation
which includes the effects of biaxial
bending, torsion, axial deformation, and
biaxial shear deformations.
3. Section Properties
• ETABS has a built-in library of standard concrete, steel, and composite section properties of both
US and International Standard sections.
• Even non-prismatic and built up steel sections can be easily defined.
 IV. LOADING
• ETABS will automatically generate and apply seismic and wind loads based on various domestic
and international codes.
• ETABS is robust when it comes to assigned loads. Uniform or non-uniform surface loads can be
assigned in any direction, not just gravity.
• Uniform or trapezoidal loads can be defined on lines in any direction. Thermal load can be
assigned to joints, lines, and areas.
• Live-load-reduction factors may be assigned on a member-by-member basis.
• This may be done either within the graphical user interface, once design is complete, by right-
clicking on a member, or it may be done using interactive database editing.
• Automatically add analytical cladding to entire structure for loading purposes.