ETABS 2016 V16.2.

Modeling, Analysis and Design Tutorial

Based on New Ethiopian Building Code
(ES EN 1991:2015-ES EN 1998:2015)

B+G+6 Mixed Use Building

(Dual Frame and Shear Wall System)

Prepared By: Daniel Dibaba

Professional Structural Engineer (PSTE-13315)

Tel:+251-911-986-114
Email:danielcueng@gmail.com

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia July-2020

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Modeling, Analysis and Design Steps For B+G+6 Building

1. Model Initialization Story and Grid Formation

 Open ETABS setup on your desktop
 On “File‟‟ menu dropdown, click on “New Model”

 Select “Use Setting from a Model File” option from the above
initialization options. This options saves time as it uses Units, Options,
Preferences, Definitions (Material, Section, Load Pattern, Load Cases,
Load Combinations, etc) from an existing model (.edb) file. Therefore
you don’t need to define all the above things at a start by using this
option.
 Click “Ok” and it automatically takes you to file explorer so as to select a
model file for it. Then select existing model (.edb) file of your preference.
 New Model Quick Template will pop up, and fill Grid Dimensions and
Story Dimensions as per architectural drawings. You can either use
“Uniform Grid Spacing” or “Custom Grid Spacing”. Do not waste
your time as this is an initial grid and story definition, and you can edit
this information at any time once you enter into a model interface.

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  Then select “Grid Only” and Click “Ok”
 This time you can save your model by clicking on “File” menu dropdown
and click “Save”. Then select a directory folder to be saved in and write a
model name.
 You can now develop/edit grids and story that fully comply with
architectural drawings and additional elements as per you suggestion in
structural view stance. To do so, click on “Edit” dropdown menu and
click on “Edit Story and Grid System Data”.
 You can click on “Quick Add Story” to add additional stories and then
click on “Modify/Show Story Data”. Then Story Data table will pop up
which enables you to edit story names, story height and so on. When you
finish editing story information, click “Ok”
 Then, Click on “Modify/Show Grid System” and a Grid System Data
table will pop up which enables you to add or delete axes, edit axes
names and spacing. Click “Ok” once you finish editing grid information.
Click once again “Ok” on Edit Story and Grid System Data table to make
sure all edited information are saved and to simultaneously return back to
the model windows.

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2. Definitions Sections
2.1. Material Properties Definition
 Click on “Define” dropdown menu and click on “Material Properties”
 Then Define Materials table will pop up. In this table we should define
expected material types (Concrete & Steel) we are going to use in

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 modelling frame and shell elements. It is better to define new material for
your alongside understanding. So click on “Add New Material” and the
table below will pops up. Then make Region-Europe, Material Type-
Concrete and select Grade (Click on dropdown list). Since new Ethiopian
Building Code fully complies with European Code that material
properties and design code parameters are directly taken from this code.

 Then Click “Ok” and Material Property Data table will pop up which
gives you full information about the defined concrete grade (i.e C20/25).
Thus you can accept all values in this table as it is since it fully complies
with our requirements. C20/25 shall be used for horizontal members such
as slabs and beams
 You can go on this step once again to have additional concrete grade
(C25/30) for use to vertical members such as columns and Shear Walls.
 Click again on “Add New Material” to define for Rebar. This time make
Material Type-Rebar and click “Ok”

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  Material Property Data table will Pop up and you can review default
Rebar properties and accept as it is. Change Material Name as “S-400”
for convenience. If you need, Click on “Modify/Show Material
Property Design Data” and make Minimum Yield Strength, Fy =
400MPa. Leave other unchanged as it affects nothing. Then click “Ok”
on Material Property Design Data table, Material Property Data table and
Define Materials table. Now we are on Model Window.

2.2. Section Properties Definition

 Click on “Define” dropdown menu and move the cursor to “Section
Properties” and click on “Frame Section” which pops out on the right
side.
 Frame Properties table will pop up and click on “Add New Property” to
define new concrete frame or you can click on “Modify/Show Property”
if there exist defined frame section. Under Add New Property option
click on Rectangular Concrete Section (or any shape you want to define)
and Frame Section Property Data will pop up where material properties
and sections will be fed.

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  Edit name in Property Name box for your conventional use and select
material type from the Material dropdown menu. Write depth and width
of the frame member (Beam/Column) in Section Dimensions.

 Click on “Modify/Show Modifiers” and modify stiffness factors to be

considered after member crack (ultimate limit state). Since a cracked
moment of inertia is used for a capacity design of structural members that
a relevant factors should be used to reduce/convert a gross moment of
inertia to a cracked moment inertia. Thus for vertical members (columns
& shear walls), 0.75 is used for shear and moment terms and 0.1 is used
for torsional terms. While for horizontal members (beams), 0.5 is used for
shear and moment terms and 0.1 is used for torsional terms. Cross-

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 sectional area, mass and weight remain unaltered after crack that 1 is used
as a factor.

 Click on “Modify/Show Rebar” and Frame Section Property

Reinforcement Data will pop up. Under Design Type section, select on
Column (P-M2-M3 Design) if the proposed section is to be used as
column or make it Beam (M3 Design Only) if the section is proposed for
beam. Under Rebar Material section, select previously defined rebar
material (S-400) both for longitudinal and confinement (stirrup) bars
under the dropdown list.
 Under Reinforcement Configuration section, select either
Rectangular/Circular based on your frame section type. Make other
remaining things similar with the inputs as in table below. Then click
“Ok” to leave and save what you have modified so far simultaneously.

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  This time we have defined once cross-section for column and in order to
have many option for column cross-section, we can click on previously
defined column cross-section (say COL40x25) and just click on “Add
Copy of Property”. This time we have to only change its section name
and section sizes, and other things are the same with the previous section.
This method will save the time as it uses all properties (material type,
stiffness modifications, design type and etc..) from the previous defined
section.
 We follow the same steps with column for defining beams. But in beams
we have to make a design type “M3 Design Only (Beam)” and adjust
stiffness modification factors as stated in former sections.

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  Click “Ok” and leave Frame Section Property edit table. Then Click on
“Define” dropdown menu and move the cursor to “Section Properties”
and click on “Slab Section” which pops out on the right side. Click on
“Add New Property” and Slab Property Data table will pop out in which
we edit property name, slab material, modelling type and thickness of
slab. Select Membrane in modelling type dropdown list as it is
recommended for slab. Slab depth is determined initially from the slab
analysis (Excel Sheet) and the same thickness is defined here in the
model. Then click “Ok” to leave this table.

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  Click “Ok” and leave Slab Properties edit table. Then Click on “Define”
dropdown menu and move the cursor to “Section Properties” and click
on “Wall Section” which pops out on the right side. Click on “Add New
Property” and Wall Property Data table will pop out in which we edit
property name, wall material, modelling type and thickness of slab. Select
Shell-Thin in modelling type dropdown list as it is recommended for
wall. Mostly 25cm wall thickness is recommended for lift shear walls and
retaining walls while a minimum of 30cm thickness shall be used for
single standing shear walls. Then click “Ok” in both Wall Property Data
and Wall Properties table.

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 2.3. Diaphragm and Pier Labels Definition
 Click on “Define” dropdown menu and click on “Diaphragms” and
Define Diaphragms table will pop up. Click on “Add New Diaphragm”
and select a rigid option in Diaphragm Data table. You can do this step
until you define a number of diaphragms equal to your story numbers as
each single (say D1) diaphragm is assigned for each single story. Click
“Ok” and leave the table.

 Click on “Define” dropdown menu and click on “Pier Labels” and Pier
Labels table will pop up. Type pier name/ID for your convention (Say
P1) and click on “Add New Name”. You can do this step until you have
a number of pier names/ID equal to total sides/faces of shear wall you
have in your model as each pier ID is assigned for each shear wall sides.
Click “Ok” and leave the table.

2.4. Functions Definitions

 Click on “Define” dropdown menu and move the cursor to “Functions”
and click on “Response Spectrum” which pops out on the right side.
Then Define Response Spectrum Functions table will pop up. Choose
EUROCODE8-2004 option in the dropdown list on the right side as our

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 code fully complies with this EUROCODE. Then click on “Add New
Function” and EuroCode 8-2004 Function Definition table will pop up in
which you edit country specific and earthquake parameters as per our
code. You can refer Response Spectrum materials for your better
understanding of the parameters contained in this table. For this time and
for your works a head you can use values similar with the tables in below.
But you have to always modify Ground Acceleration, ag/g based on the
Towns where the building is to be constructed. For this case it is in Addis
Ababa (Zone-III) and its value is 0.1. Click “Ok” in tables to leave the
tables and save the work simultaneously.

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 2.5. Modal Case Definitions
 Click on “Define” dropdown menu and click on “Modal Case” and
Modal Cases table will pop up. Then click on “Modify/Show Case” and
Modal Case Data table will pop out in which modal case parameters will
be defined for use in response spectrum functions. For this time and for
your works a head you can use values similar with the tables in below.
But you have to modify Maximum Number of Modes depending on the
number of story. Maximum Number of Modes can be taken as a number
equals to three times the number of stories (3xNo. of story). Actual
number of modes is determined after analysis and modes whose mass
participation ratio is less than 5% of total mass is considered as non-
contributing mode. After initial analysis you can adjust the number of
modes until the Summation of Modal Mass Participation Ratio will come
to exceed 90% (0.9). Click “Ok” in both Modal Cases and Modal Case
Data table to leave the tables and save the work simultaniously.

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 2.6. Load Pattern Definitions
 Click on “Define” dropdown menu and click on “Load Patterns” and
Define Load Patterns table will pop up. You can define load patterns
similar to the tables in below for your frequent use. Then click “Ok” to
leave the table and save the work simultaneously.

2.7. Load Cases Definitions

 Click on “Define” dropdown menu and click on “Load Cases” and Load
Cases table will pop up. You can check default load cases and add
additional loads cases for response spectrum (earthquake). So click on
“Add New Case” and Load Case Data table pops out in which you will
define response spectrum load cases. Edit Load Case name as RSX or
RSY. Select Response Spectrum in Load Case Type dropdown lists. Then
click on “Add” icon on the right side. Sooner acceleration parameters
will come out in table form. You have to define one direction at a time
(Say RSX) in one table and you should do the step once again to define
for RSY. Make remaining parameters similar to the tables in below for
convenient use. RSX and RSY are response spectrum cases in X and Y
directions respectively. Then click “Ok” to leave the table and save the
work simultaneously.

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 2.8. Load Combination Definitions
 Click on “Define” dropdown menu and click on “Load Combinations”
and Load Combinations table will pop up. Click on “Add New Combo”
to define load combinations starting from Comb1 and once you define
Comb1, other combinations can be defined easily by clicking on “Add
Copy of Combo” and edit in Load Combination Data table relevant to
the combination you are defining at a time. Then click “Ok” to leave the
table and save the work simultaneously.

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 2.9. Mass Sources Definitions
 Click on “Define” dropdown menu and click on “Mass Source” and
Mass Source table will pop up. Click on “Add New Mass Source” to
define Mass Source Data. Make the parameters similar to the tables in
below for convenient use. Then click “Ok” to leave the table and save the
work simultaneously.

This time, we have finished all necessary parameters used for building
design under “Define” menu and the next step will be drawings the frame

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 elements (columns & beams), slabs and shear walls as per their relevant
locations. Repeatedly use of ETABS will make modelling simper one after
another. Once can watch tutorial videos for complex (curved and other
shapes) type of building models, and trial and error will makes you perfect.
It is better to finish modelling work before you proceed to Assignment
section.

3. Assignment Sections

In this section, Joint, Frame, Shell and their corresponding loads are
assigned as per appropriate locations.

3.1. Joint Assignment

 Set your ETABS window on “Base Plan View” and select base joints
(column and shear wall joints) in order to assign support conditions.
Make sure that “One Story” option is active to ensure only joints at base
plan are selected. Click on “Assign” dropdown menu and move your
cursor to Joint icon until a dropdown pops out on the right direction and
click on “Restraints”. In Joint Assignment-Restraints table, click on fix
support symbol and make sure all Restraints in Global Directions boxes
are checked. Then click “Ok” to leave the table and save the work
simultaneously.

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 3.2. Frame Assignment
 In this section you can change previously drawn frame section to any
types. To do so, first you have to select a frame type (column or beam)
you need to change on model section and click on “Assign” dropdown
menu and move your cursor to “Frame” icon until a dropdown pops out
on the right direction and click on “Section Property” icon and you can
select one in the list and click “Ok” to leave the table and save the work
simultaneously. This time previously selected frame elements are
automatically changed to current assigned frame sections. It is also in this
section that you can change orientations of columns as per Architects
requirement or structural decisions which ever governs. Follow this path
to change column orientation: (Assign-Frame-Local Axes).

3.3. Shell Assignment

 In this section you can change previously drawn shell section to any
types. To do so, first you have to select a shell type (slab or wall) you
need to change on model section and click on “Assign” dropdown menu
and move your cursor to “Shell” icon until a dropdown pops out on the
right direction and click on “Slab Section or Wall Section” icon and you
can select one in the list and click “Ok” to leave the table and save the
work simultaneously. This time previously selected shell sections are
automatically changed to current assigned shell sections. It is also in this
section that you assign diaphragms for slab sections and pier labels for
wall sections.
3.3.1. Diaphragm Assignment
 First you have to select all slabs on a single floor (Say First Floor) and
click on “Assign” dropdown menu and move your cursor to “Shell” icon
until a dropdown pops out on the right direction and click on

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 “Diaphragm” icon and you can select one in the list (for convenient use
take D1 for 1st story D2 for 2nd story and etc) and click “Ok” to leave the
table and save the work simultaneously. Diaphragms are assigned only
for slab sections in building structures.
3.3.2. Pier Label Assignment
 First you have to select single faces of shear wall starting from base to top
floor and click on “Assign” dropdown menu and move your cursor to
“Shell” icon until a dropdown pops out on the right direction and click on
“Pier Label” icon and you can select one in the list (Say P1) and click
“Ok” to leave the table and save the work simultaneously. If shear wall
has four (4) sides (ex: lift shaft shear wall) it will then have four
assignments that one assignment is made for each face/side of shear wall.
This method is adopted for easier reading of designed reinforcements as
uniform reinforcement is provided for each pier (one side of shear wall).

3.4. Frame Load Assignment

 First you have to select frame elements on which you want to load wall
loads (loads on beam) and click on “Assign” dropdown menu and move
your cursor to “Frame Loads” icon until a dropdown pops out on the
right direction and click on “Distributed” icon and a table will pop out in
which you assign a load magnitude. As shown in the table below you
have to select Wall Load from the Load Pattern Name dropdown list and
overwrite the computed wall load magnitude in Uniform Load section.
Other parameters can be made similar with the tables in below. Click
“Ok” to leave the table and save the work simultaneously.

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 3.5. Shell Load Assignment
 First you have to select shell sections on which you want to load areal
load (Live, Finishing or Partition Load) and click on “Assign” dropdown
menu and move your cursor to “Shell Loads” icon until a dropdown
pops out on the right direction and click on “Uniform” icon and a table
will pop out in which you assign a load magnitude. As shown in the table
below you have to first select Load Pattern Name (Either Live, Finishing
or Partition Load) and then write the corresponding load magnitude.
Other parameters can be made similar with the tables in below. This step
shall be followed again for assigning remaining load patterns since live
loads, partition loads and finishing loads are expected to be assigned on
each slab panels on all suspended floors. Click “Ok” to leave the table
and save the work simultaneously.

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 3.6. Miscellaneous Activity
 Now preliminary modelling works has been finished and before we just
analyse the model, we have to check some design preferences and
miscellaneous things.
 Randomly you can check load and other assignments of frame elements
on the model. Set your window on plan view (either 1st, 2nd floor, or etc)
and left click on specific beam and once the beam is selected right click
just over the beam and Beam Information table will pop out in which you
can check over Geometry, Assignments, Loads and Design data.
 Exactly the same step can be followed to check load and other
assignments of slab on the model. Set your window on plan view (either
1st, 2nd floor, or etc) and left click on specific slab panel and once the slab
is selected right click just over the slab and Slab Information table will
pop out in which you can check over Geometry, Assignments and Load
data.
 Click on “Design” dropdown menu and move your cursor to “Concrete
Frame Design” icon until a dropdown pops out on the right direction and
click on “View/Revise Preferences” icon and make sure that
Eurocode2-2004 is selected in Design Code dropdown list. Click “Ok”
to leave the table and save the work simultaneously.
 Click on “Design” dropdown menu and move your cursor to “Concrete
Frame Design” icon until a dropdown pops out on the right direction and
click on “Select Design Combinations” icon and make sure that all
previous combinations are set into Design Combinations. Click “Ok” to
leave the table and save the work simultaneously.
 Get back to the model on ETABS window and select all model elements.
To do so, click on “Select” dropdown menu and move your cursor to
“Select” icon until a dropdown pops out on the right direction and click

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 on “All” icon and make sure that all selection is made on the window.
Then click on “Design” dropdown menu and move your cursor to
“Concrete Frame Design” icon until a dropdown pops out on the right
direction and click on “View/Revise Overwrites” icon and select on DC
Medium (Ductility Class Medium) in Frame Type dropdown list. Click
“Ok” to leave the table and save the work simultaneously.
 This time we have finished miscellaneous activities and the model is
ready for analysis. Sample figures have been included here under to
illustrate the steps in the miscellaneous activity.

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 3.7. Analysis and Design of Frame Elements
 Click on “Analyze” dropdown list and click on “Run Analysis”. After
analysis is finished click on “Design” dropdown menu and move your
cursor to “Concrete Frame Design” icon until a dropdown pops out on
the right direction and click on “Start Design/Check” icon and design of
frame elements (columns and beams) will automatically starts up.
 Now it is time to check on the design results and optimize the design
sections. Optimization of frame elements needs progressive experience in
structural design and I hereby provide you with vital information for your
practical works ahead.

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 3.7.1. Optimization of Beams
 Set your window on specific floor plan view and click on “Design”
dropdown menu and move your cursor to “Concrete Frame Design”
icon until a dropdown pops out on the right direction and click on
“Display Design Info” icon and select Longitudinal Reinforcing in
Design Output dropdown list. Click “Ok” to leave the table and save the
work simultaneously. Accordingly, longitudinal reinforcement demands
(in mm2) will be displayed on active window (specific floor plan). The
reinforcement demand displayed on the window is always the governing
demand from the given design combinations that you should just use
displayed values without any further action (After optimization).

 If the beam fails either in flexure or shear, beam elements will have red
colour. In this case right click on that specific beam and Concrete Beam
Design Information will pop up and then click on “Summary” to find out
by what parameter does the beam failed. A report type Concrete Frame
Design Information with full of tables will be displayed and check over it
thoroughly. If it says “O/S-Reinforcing Required Exceeds Maximum
Allowed” then the case is due to provided depth is lower than the
required beam depth for flexure and thus we need to use beams with
larger depths than before. Uniform beam depth is recommended for floor

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 under consideration that we have to do this step for all beams before we
decide final depth.
 For your frequent design, use the following beam span-cross section
correspondents which I have found economical and efficient from my
practical stand view.

Beam Span Cross Section

2.5m-3.5m 30cm (D)x20cm (B)
3.6m-4.5m 35cm (D)x25cm (B)
4.6m-5.5m 40cm (D)x25cm (B)
5.6m-6.5m 45cm (D)x25cm (B)
6.6m-7.0m 50cm (D)x30cm (B)
7.1m-7.5m 55cm (D)x30cm (B)
7.6m-8.0m 60cm (D)x30cm (B)

 Beam to beam connections has to be given emphasis as they impose

significant shear force to the main load bearing beam and eventually
results in “Shear and Torsion Failure”. When such condition happens,
it is better to increase depth for main load bearing beam or try to avoid
beam connections at critical shear force locations (in the vicinity of
support). And also shear force is larger at beam to beam connection
locations that you have to give due care in stirrup provision around that
area as it requires congested spacing compared to other locations.
 Generally when the reinforcement demand (longitudinal and stirrup)
seems exaggerated than you expected in beam elements, you just have to
decide on increasing beam depths that looking for other options. Then
make analysis and design once again and see the difference for your
better decision.

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 3.7.2. Reinforcement Detailing of Beams
 One beam element is discretized into 3 elements for design purpose that
design outputs are displayed at three points. The elements are start, mid
span and end sections. Thus bottom and top reinforcements demands will
be displayed for these three sections. Top reinforcement demands are
displayed just over the beam line and bottom reinforcement demands are
displayed just below the beam line. Mostly maximum top reinforcement
demands are obtained on start and end sections while maximum bottom
reinforcement demands are obtained on middle span sections. The
following sample figure shows how beam reinforcements are computed
and converted in to detailing for construction shop drawings.
 Take beam on axis-B of first floor slab such that top and bottom
reinforcement demands (mm2) are displayed for each discretized beam
elements. At crossing axis-1, top reinforcement is 479mm2 (214+116)

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 or (414) or (316). We have to follow this conversion rule to satisfy at
least the reinforcement demands whole beam on this axis.

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Check the provided reinforcement against the demand displayed
(ETABS result) over the figure. At crossing axis-2, maximum top
reinforcement (either on left or right side of axis 2) should be taken to satisfy
both conditions, thus 1274mm2 (right side of axis-2) is governing that we
should convert this into the number of bars. Accordingly, 216 is used as full
spanning reinforcement that additional bars to this are determined.

116 = 200.96mm2

1274mm2-2*200.96mm2 = 872mm2

Let’s use 20 whose area is 314mm2

872mm2/314mm2 = 2.77=320 is used as additional top bars.

Take 365mm2 as maximum bottom reinforcement demand between crossing

axis-1 & axis-2.

Let’s use 14 whose area is 153.86mm2

365mm2/153.86mm2 = 2.37=314 is used as bottom bars between crossing

axis-1 & axis-2.

This step is followed to determine the number of bars for remaining top and
bottom bars.

 For stirrup spacing determination, first we have to display stirrup

demands on specific floor plans. Set your window on specific floor plan
view and click on “Design” dropdown menu and move your cursor to
“Concrete Frame Design” icon until a dropdown pops out on the right
direction and click on “Display Design Info” icon and select Shear Plus
Torsion Reinforcing in Design Output dropdown list. Click “Ok” to
leave the table and save the work simultaneously. Accordingly, combined

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 shear and torsion reinforcement demands (in mm2) will be displayed on
active window (specific floor plan). The reinforcement demand displayed
on the window is always the governing demand from the given design
combinations that you should just use displayed values without any
further action (After optimization).

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Referring to the enlarged view of axis-B on first floor slab, we can see the
displayed shear and torsion reinforcement results in mm2/m (ASW/S)

The above term is shear area of shear reinforcement divided by spacing where
shear area is considered in mm2 and spacing in m.

Let’s take 559.04mm2/m (near crossing axis-2 for beam between crossing axis-2
and axis-3)

Let’s use 8 whose area is 50.24mm2

There is two (2) shear leg for rectangular beams having a single stirrup that total
shear leg area will be 2*50.24mm2 = 100.48mm2

Spacing (S) = 100.48mm2/559.04mm2/m = 0.179m = 179mm

Take 8/150mm as stirrup near crossing axis-2 for the beam spanning between
crossing axis-2 and axis-3.

This step is followed to determine the spacing of stirrups for remaining sections.

3.7.3. Optimization of Columns

 Set your window on specific axis elevation view and click on “Design”
dropdown menu and move your cursor to “Concrete Frame Design”
icon until a dropdown pops out on the right direction and click on
“Display Design Info” icon and select Longitudinal Reinforcing in
Design Output dropdown list. Click “Ok” to leave the table and save the
work simultaneously. Accordingly, longitudinal reinforcement demands

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 (in mm2) will be displayed on active window (specific axis elevation
view). The reinforcement demand displayed on the window is always the
governing demand from the given design combinations that you should
just use displayed values without any further action (After optimization).

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 If the column fails either in flexure or shear, column elements will have red
colour. In this case right click on that specific column and Concrete Column
Design Information will pop up and then click on “Summary” to find out by
what parameter does the column failed. A report type Concrete Frame
Design Information with full of tables will be displayed and check over it
thoroughly. If it says “O/S-Reinforcing Required Exceeds Maximum
Allowed” then the case is due to provided cross-section is lower than the
required for flexure and thus we need to use larger cross-section than before.

In the capacity design of columns where the building is situated in medium

seismic zone (Zone-III), a medium ductility class (DCM) is adopted and the
axial compression ratio limit for columns under this zone is 0.65. Axial
compression ratio is computed as a ratio of design axial load to concrete
compressive capacity. Accordingly, a column cross-section is optimized
based on this ratio where a column cross-section is sized in the way that the
axial compression ratio nears the limit. For medium ductility class design,
mostly the column reinforcement ratio is 1% of concrete cross-section. This
result may vary within a range of 1%-10% based on the biaxial moment
values on column ends. If the computed axial ratio is less than the limit
(0.65), column will then be taken as sufficient in cross section. Also
provided column reinforcement should at least be equal to the required
reinforcement ratio (say 1%).

 Let’s take column on axis-3B and right click basement column and
Concrete Column Design Information will pop up and then click on
“Summary” to check its adequacy. A report type Concrete Frame Design
Information with full of tables will be displayed and check over it
thoroughly. Give an emphasis on „Axial Compression Ratio‟ table for
efficient optimization of column and to know whether the provided cross-
section is sufficient or not.

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  As you see from the picture, axial compression ratio is 0.423 which is
well below the limit and the provided column cross section (60cmx40cm)
is adequate. And also the longitudinal reinforcement demand is 2400mm2
(1%) which is about 1216 and we have just provided 1416. When the
above ratio is greater than 0.65 for earthquake combinations (Comb-2 up

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 to Comb-9), the summary report will say “O/S-Reinforcing Required
Exceeds Maximum Allowed” and in such cases you have to use larger
cross-sections to bring down the ratio well below 0.65.
 You have to follow these steps to gradually decrease column cross-
sections along the floor rise and it is mandatory to start optimization at
base columns. Reinforcement provisions are also reduced as the cross-
section decrease along the floor rise.
 Here also columns having relatively nearer axial loads can be made in
one group so as to decrease types of columns and thus facilitate ease of
construction, foundation design and overall design simplicity. I usually
group columns based on their relative magnitudes of factored axial load
and bi-axial moments. Columns having nearly the same axial loads are
fall under the same group. Most commonly columns having axial load
difference in a range of 0kN to 400kN are made as one group (say C-1).
 Stirrup requirements for columns are usually satisfied by minimum
provisions that it is better be decided by the designer. But I usually
recommend either of the following lists.
 8/150mm for low rise buildings (Up to G+3)
 8/120mm for medium rise buildings (Up to G+5)
 10/150mm for moderate rise buildings (Up to G+9)
 10/120mm for high rise buildings (> G+9)

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 3.8. Analysis and Design of Shell Elements (Shear Walls)

 Click on “Design” dropdown menu and move your cursor to “Shear

Wall Design” icon until a dropdown pops out on the right direction and
click on “View/Revise Preferences” icon and make sure that
Eurocode2-2004 is selected in Design Code dropdown list and select
appropriate Rebar Material (S-400) from the dropdown list. Click “Ok”
to leave the table and save the work simultaneously.
 Click on “Select” dropdown menu and move your cursor to “Select” icon
until a dropdown pops out on the right direction and move your cursor to
“Labels” icon until a dropdown pops out once again on the right
direction and click on “Pier Labels” icon and Select by Pier Label table
will pop up. Then hold shift key and click on all pier labels in the table
and click “Select” and then click “Close” leave the table and save the
work simultaneously. Make sure that all shell elements are selected. Then
Click on “Design” dropdown menu and move your cursor to “Shear
Wall Design” icon until a dropdown pops out on the right direction and
click on “View/Revise Pier Overwrites” icon and make sure that
Uniform Reinforcing is selected in Pier Section Type dropdown list.
Also select appropriate material type (C25/30) in Material dropdown list
and click “Ok” to leave the table and save the work simultaneously.
 Click on “Design” dropdown menu and move your cursor to “Shear
Wall Design” icon until a dropdown pops out on the right direction and
click on “Select Design Combinations” icon and make sure that all
previous combinations are set into Design Combinations. Click “Ok” to
leave the table and save the work simultaneously.
 Click on “Analyze” dropdown list and click on “Run Analysis”. After
analysis is finished click on “Design” dropdown menu and move your
cursor to “Shear Wall Design” icon until a dropdown pops out on the

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 right direction and click on “Start Design/Check” icon and design of
shell elements (shear walls) will automatically starts up.
 Now it is time to check on the design results and compute the
reinforcement demands for detailing.
 Set your window on one side of shear wall (Say P1) elevation view and
click on “Design” dropdown menu and move your cursor to “Shear Wall
Design” icon until a dropdown pops out on the right direction and click
on “Display Design Info” icon and select Pier Longitudinal Reinforcing
in Design Output dropdown list. Click “Ok” to leave the table and save
the work simultaneously. Accordingly, longitudinal reinforcement
demands (in mm2) will be displayed on active window (specific elevation
view of pier side). The reinforcement demand displayed on the window is
always the governing demand from the given design combinations that
you should just use displayed values without any further action (After
optimization).

 Then convert the reinforcement area in to spacing of longitudinal bars

Mostly reinforcement results for lift shaft shear walls will have the
following values and I do usually recommend this for frequent use.
 12/150mm as longitudinal bars and 10/150mm as horizontal
bars for medium rise buildings (Up to G+5)

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  14/150mm as longitudinal bars and 12/150mm as horizontal
bars for moderate rise buildings (Up to G+9)

GOOD LUCK

Prepared By Daniel Dibaba

Professional Structural Engineer
(PSTE-13315)
Tel: +251-911-986-114
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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