Microstran Fundamentals

STAAD.Pro V8i (SELECTseries 3)

Bentley Institute Course Guide

TRNC01483-1/0001

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Copyright Notice
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Microstran Fundamentals

Copyright 2014 Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Jun-14

Microstran V9
Full-Day "Hands-On" Training Course
The focus of the course is the development of graphical input skills. Topics to be covered
include the enhancements in Microstran V9, interfacing to other programs such as AutoCAD
and Microsoft Excel, and steel design to AS 4100 or NZS 3404. The course outline is:
Session 1 9.00 am to 11.00 am

Standard structures.
Display of attributes data tips.
Basic drawing snap modes.
Changing the view interrupting commands, refreshing the view.
Keyboard input in graphics input.
Selection boxes the crossing window.
Automatic deletion of duplicates.
Extrusion.

Hands-on session: Example 1 simple truss.

Critique of various methods.
Morning tea/coffee
Session 2 11.20 am to 1.00 pm

Curve and Stretch commands.

Interfacing to a spreadsheet program (Microsoft Excel).
Renumbering and resequencing nodes and members.
The Limit command.
Context menus Command then select or Select then command.
Member and node property dialogs.
Double-clicking on node or member.
Multiple selection.
Named sets.

Hands-on session: Example 2 bridge structure.

Critique of various methods.
Lunch
Session 3 1.45 pm to 3.00 pm

The input load cases and display load cases.

Load editing multiple selection load editing.
Floor loading excluding voids.
Load sub-division.
Importing models from CAD automatic intersection.
Cable structures.
Timed backup.
Master-slave constraints, rigid offsets.

Hands-on session: Example 3 cable structure.

Afternoon tea/coffee
Session 4 3.20 pm to 4.30 pm

Steel design to AS 4100 or NZS 3404 classification of intermediate restraints.

Cold-formed steel design to AS/NZS 4600:2005.
Integrated steel connection design.

Hands-on session: Example 4 portal frame structure.

May 2013

Microstran Introduction
Richard Collins
Engineering Systems Pty Ltd
Management of job data

Each different frame becomes a new job.

Make full use of the facilities offered by Windows to
organize job data:
o Long file names aid recognition of jobs
o Different folders for different projects or users.
Use different primary load case for each different set of
loads, e.g. dead, live, wind.
Use combination load cases to check serviceability and
strength conditions.
Name all load cases clearly.
Good data management simplifies small jobs and is
essential for large jobs. These may have thousands of
members and hundreds of load cases.

Microstran basics

Frames are modelled as joints (nodes) and members.

Node coordinates and restraints (supports) are defined
with respect to global axes.
Members are located by specifying start and end joints.
Each member has its own local (member) axes, which
determine the orientation of transverse axes.
Nodes are unrestrained unless you specify a support.
Members are rigidly connected to their end nodes unless
you specify a member end release. Member end releases
are specified with respect to local axes.
Member loads can be aligned with respect to either global
(e.g. gravity) or member axes (e.g. wind load normal to a
sloping member).

Display of attributes

Standard structures.
Display of attributes:
Node/member labelling.
Query output window.
Data tips.
Property dialog box.

Graphics Input

Grid, snap mode.

Keyboard input while in graphics input:
Absolute and relative coordinates.
Cylindrical and spherical coordinates.
Breaking line:
On context menu.
Pressing space bar.
Select snap mode:
On toolbar button.
On context menu.
Refreshing the view F5 shortcut to Redraw command.
Other shortcuts Ctrl+A, Del, arrow keys.

The Command Assistant

Microstran data entry

Graphical input with keyboard entry of coordinates

(relative or absolute) as required.
Context (pop-up) menus.
Node and member property dialog boxes accessible by
double-click.
Properties of a multiple selection.
Editing member loads on a multiple selection of members.

Turn off when no longer required.

HTML Help

Microstran Help

Command Assistant
Tool tips for toolbar buttons.
Tool tips in dialog boxes.
Help topics HTML Help.

Microstran usability features

Undo/Redo.
Long file names.
Data tips for nodes and members.
Icons on menus.
Customizable toolbars.
Print preview.
Interruptible commands.

Contents synchronized table of contents in tree.

Index keywords.
Search full-text search.

2-Storey frame example

Extrusion.
Undo/Redo.
Print preview for graphics and reports.

Multiple selection load editing

Floor loading.
Ctrl+A shortcut to Select All command.
Load editing from right-click.
Load sub-division.
Excluding void from tributary area.
Multiple selection load editing.

Tower example Stretch command

Table Input & tree view

Standard structures truss.

Renumbering and resequencing.
Interfacing to Excel with Copy & Paste.
Tree view displayed when
Table Input initiated.
Expand branch by doubleclicking header or clicking
+ symbol.
Double-click entity to display
table.
Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Z in table.
Generation.
Double-click header to sort
rows by column.

Extrusion.
Stretch command.

Properties of multiple selection

Curve command
Node and member property dialog boxes.
Double-clicking on node or member.
Blank values in multiple selection properties.
Command format choices:
Command > Select.
Select > Command.
Second method is more intuitive.

Emu River Bridge

Standard structures truss.

Curve command.
Automatic deletion of duplicates merging nodes.
Equal segments on arc or chord.
This example illustrates the speed of Graphics Input:
Extrusion.
Properties of multiple selection.

5th July, 2011

NEW FEATURES IN V9

Merge jobs.
Section builder.
Graphics input keyboard accelerators (hot-keys).
Copy member load function.
New button to plot reactions.
Extend member command.
Load case template.
Multiple load case delete.
New button for one-click access to View > Limit > Set command.
Enhanced member data tips.
Improved job notes.
Enhanced main view mouse wheel zoom centered on cursor, middle button pan.
Enhanced OpenGL view mouse wheel zoom centered on cursor; double-click zoom, middle
button pan.
Print OpenGL view, save .JPG image.
Sets preserved on renumbering nodes/members.
Non-vertical (global axis) area loading.
One-way area loading.
Conversion of job units.
Improved handling of thick line plotting.
Additional parameters for dynamic analysis.
Plotting LTB restraints in OpenGL view.
Member steel design report accessible from right-click.
Box sections checked by Limsteel to AS 4100 and NZS 3404.
Monosymmetric I sections checked by Limsteel to AS 4100 and NZS 3404.
Tee section design strength increased when stem in tension.
Plotting connection symbols in main view.
Optional auto-check for more recent version.

1-2
2-3
3-4
4-5

1000
1200
1750
1200

Panel lengths:

This sketch was made by an engineer preparing to analyse a simple truss. In the past, structural analysis involved preparation of tables of
data for input to a computer program hence the node and member numbers. With graphical input you dont need to worry about node and
member numbers just draw the structure.
TIPS:
Keyboard input of coordinates (relative).
Extrusion.
Middle/End snap mode.
Space bar to break line or simply draw over existing member.

Input Example 1a

Sometimes, you can get a head start by starting with a standard

structure. Mostly, however, you will spend more time modifying
the standard structure than drawing it from scratch in Graphics
Input.
Graphics Input is a bit like AutoCAD. You can use the Structure
> Draw Members command to draw the members. Another
node is created each time you draw a new member. Try it but
dont forget to change the default drawing snap mode in
Middle/End snap mode you can only draw to the middle or end
of existing members. You can change the snap mode with one
of the buttons on the right or you can right-click and choose a
new mode from the pop-up menu.
You cant draw accurately enough to lay out a structure on the
screen, so you need to use keyboard input.
Millimetres are rarely used for this sort of work. Make sure you
input coordinates in metres.
Dont just click anywhere to start drawing the first member. For
convenience, you may as well start drawing at the origin. When
in drawing mode, just type 0 (zero), press Enter to dismiss the
Node Coordinates dialog box, and the A node of the first
member will be at the origin. Notice that as you move the mouse
you are dragging the B node of the first member. (There is a
button on the Extra toolbar for displaying the origin you may
also do this with View > Display Options.)
Instead of clicking the B end of the first member, type 1 and
then press Enter (you can click the OK button but pressing Enter
is probably quicker). You should now have drawn the leftmost
member of the bottom chord. You are still in drawing mode
now draw the next member in the bottom chord by typing r1.2
and pressing Enter (the r or R is for relative you can use
AutoCADs @ instead, if you wish).

Getting Started Input Example 1a

You can now proceed to draw the remainder of the members in
the bottom chord, simply by typing r followed by the offset in
metres from the previous node. You could stop at the centre and
then use the Reflect command but its hardly worth the trouble.
Now, you can use the Structure > Copy > Linear command to
copy the bottom chord 2.15 metres vertically. As you become
more familiar with Microstran, you will probably use toolbar
buttons and the right-click pop-up menu instead of using
commands from the main menu.
Note the Extrude checkbox in the dialog box for the Linear Copy
command. Check this before clicking OK and you will see that
all the vertical members are drawn automatically. The
importance of extrusion cant be emphasised too much it can
save half your work!
In drawing mode, you can now draw the diagonal members
simply by clicking on nodes or member mid-points.
You can draw a continuous run of members simply by clicking
point after point. To stop, you right-click and select End Line on
the pop-up menu. If you select Break Line you will remain in
drawing mode.
There are two quick ways of breaking the line you are drawing
press the space bar or simply draw over the top of an existing
member. When you draw over an existing member there is no
new member drawn. Graphics Input automatically removes
duplicate members and the original one remains.
Now that you have drawn the structure, try dragging a box to
select members so you can change their section numbers and
properties. What is the difference between dragging from left-toright and vice-versa?

The way this sketch is dimensioned reveals how the designer was
planning to input the structure. There is really no need to calculate
offsets from one end of the structure. Its also not necessary to
number nodes or members at this stage. If you want node or
member numbers allocated in any special way, you can arrange
them later.

Input Example 1b

TIPS:
Keyboard input of coordinates (absolute).
Move Node or Join command to remove interior nodes.
Input in metres - millimetre units are rarely used for this kind of
work.

Input Example 2

1.730
3.181
4.324
5.197
5.774
6.059

Length: 17 @ 2.540 = 43.180

Arch/stringers 11.049 c/c
Footpath cantilevers 1.778

TIPS:
Its rarely worth starting with a standard structure it could be
this time.
Extrusion.
You dont need to use the Curve command.
Properties of a multiple selection.

83
86
89
92
95
98

Hanger lengths (c/c)

Input Example 3

Input Example 4

HANDOUTS
www.microstran.com.au/training/Microstran_handout_May13.pdf
www.microstran.com.au/training/MS_examples.pdf
www.microstran.com.au/training/Short_session_program.doc
GRAPHICAL INPUT
www.microstran.com.au/training/Emu_river_bridge.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/Extend_to_measure_radius.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/Reference_node.msw
INITIALIZATION OF DESIGN MEMBERS
www.microstran.com.au/training/Linked_unlinked.ppt
www.microstran.com.au/training/Column_unlinked.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/Column_linked_wrong.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/Portal_frame_column_linked_unlinked.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/Unrestrained_chord.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/Unrestrained_chord_wrong.msw
ELASTIC CRITICAL LOAD ANALYSIS
www.microstran.com.au/training/Ecl_example.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/Ecl_truss0.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/Ecl_truss1.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/ECLA_k_factor.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/ECLA_k_factor2.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/Steel_design_kx_study0.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/Steel_design_kx_study1.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/Steel_design_kx_study2.msw
PORTAL FRAME HAUNCHES
www.microstran.com.au/training/Haunch_Properties.pdf
www.microstran.com.au/training/Haunches_sc_v31_n3.pdf
DESIGN OF PORTAL FRAME BUILDINGS, 4TH EDITION, WOOLCOCK ET AL.
www.microstran.com.au/training/Woolcock_2011.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/Woolcock_2011_crane.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/Woolcock_2011_apex_joint_LC25.lmc
www.microstran.com.au/training/Woolcock_2011_knee_joint_LC21.lmc
www.microstran.com.au/training/Woolcock_2011_knee_joint_LC25.lmc
GAP/FUSE MEMBER
www.microstran.com.au/training/Gap_example.msw
CATENARY CABLE MEMBER
www.microstran.com.au/training/Cable_net.msw
BEAM ON ELASTIC FOUNDATION
www.microstran.com.au/training/BEF_lift-off.msw
RESPONSE SPECTRUM ANALYSIS
www.microstran.com.au/training/As1170_4.xls
www.microstran.com.au/training/As1170.4-2007_RSA_test.msw
DESIGN OF LIGHT-GAUGE SECTIONS TO AS/NZS 4600
www.microstran.com.au/training/As4600_portal_frame.msw
www.microstran.com.au/training/Healey_portal_frame.msw

May, 2008

Microstran V8
Integrated Connection Design
INTRODUCTION
This white paper documents an optional new feature in Microstran V8 the integration of the steel
connection design program, Limcon V3. Please refer to the Limcon V3 User Manual for detailed
information about Limcon.
Microstran V8.2 contains enhancements to its OpenGL virtual reality view to support the graphics
required for integrated connection design. These enhancements are documented here.
Integrated connection design and virtual reality representation are computationally intensive tasks and
a modern computer is recommended.

LICENSING
Integrated connection design is an optional design module for Microstran V8.2. In order to run
integrated connection design you require Microstran V8.2 or later that is validated for steel design and
connection design. Stand-alone Limcon cannot be used with Microstran.

OVERVIEW
Integrated connection design in Microstran is an extension of the existing steel design option. With the
steel design option single or multiple analysis members in the Microstran model are defined as design
members. Each design member is assigned certain steel design data, which enables Microstran to
evaluate it according to the member design rules of the configured design code. The steel design data
includes the steel grade and the disposition of LTB (lateral torsional buckling) restraints, neither of
which is used for structural analysis.
With connection design, you may enter connection-related data for each design member. A design
member may have a connection at each end and a single splice at a specified distance from the start of
the design member. In many cases you have a choice of which design member you allocate the
connection to for example, an apex connection in a portal frame may be associated with the right end
of the left rafter or the left end of the right rafter. It does not matter which member the connection is
associated with but you should not input the same connection twice.
When initializing design members you may choose linked or not linked. Linked design members,
which contain more than one analysis member, are used to design steel members containing interior
nodes at which there is no twist restraint. Such members could not otherwise be designed because
interior nodes without twist restraint cannot terminate a design segment, as defined by the design code.
Microstrans OpenGL virtual reality window is used to represent each connection in the structure,
exactly as it is. Each connection is shown in Limcon in a standard position. When the same connection
is shown in Microstran it must be moved into the position where it exactly fits the rest of the structure.
This usually means that the connection appears in Microstran with a different orientation from that
shown in the Limcon representation. This is illustrated below for an HSS K/N connection.

OPENGL REPRESENTATION IN MICROSTRAN

OPENGL REPRESENTATION IN LIMCON

DETAIL IN LIMCON DIALOG BOX

KEY DIAGRAM IN LIMCON DIALOG BOX

SIMPLE SHEAR CONNECTIONS

Three simple shear connections are available. These are:
WSP Web side plate (also known as a fin plate or shear tab)
ACLT Angle cleat
FEP Flexible end plate
These connections can be selected at either end of any horizontal I section design member as long as
there is a pin ensuring that there is zero bending moment in the Microstran model. Microstran identifies
the support member, which may be a column or a beam.

MOMENT CONNECTIONS
Moment connections available are:
BMEP ASI bolted moment end plate
HBEP ASI haunched end plate
WBC ASI welded beam/column
MEPC AISC moment end plate connection
FPC AISC flange plate connection (welded or bolted)
These connections can be selected at either end of any I section design member where there is not a
pin. Microstran identifies the support member, which must be a column oriented so that the connection
is to the column flange. Only the connection between the beam and the column is checked. Column
actions and actions from other beams connected to the column are ignored.
Column stiffeners may be specified for any of these connections. They are checked ignoring the effect
of member forces in the column and any other beam connected to the column.

SPLICES
Splices available are:
BMEP ASI bolted moment end plate
BSPL ASI bolted splice
WSPL ASI welded splice
A single splice may be included for any I section design member. The distance from the start of the
design member must be specified. The splice location does not have to coincide with a node.

BRACING CONNECTIONS
Microstran permits 12 types of single bracing connection. These allow you to check the connection
between a bracing member and a cleat or gusset plate. Only axial forces in the bracing member are
considered. Bracing connections comprising beam, column, and X or K bracing members all connected
together are not yet available in Microstran or Limcon.

BASE PLATES
Pinned and moment base plates are available for integrated connection design. Base plates are
permitted only at vertical column supports. You must not specify a moment base plate at a pinned
support or a pinned base plate at a support where there is bending moment.

HSS TRUSS CONNECTIONS

General
Integrated connection design of HSS truss connections is available for trusses located in a vertical
plane. Every member in the truss must have its transverse member y axis in the plane of the truss and
must be defined as a steel design member.
The types of HSS truss connection available are:
K/N overlap or gap connection
X connection
Y/T connections
K/N and X connections have two bracing members, referred to in Limcon as brace 1 and brace 2, while
the Y/T connection has only one.
Each connection is associated with one of the design members at the joint. Where chord members have
been initialized linked it is necesssary to associate the connections with bracing members. This is
because the members in each chord form a single design member that can have connections at its ends
only.
For the X connection, the two members with the greater section depth are assumed to be the chord
members. If the chord and bracing sections are of the same depth the member associated with the
connection is assumed to be a chord member.
For HSS truss connections Microstran evaluates all relevant member forces at the connection and
transfers to Limcon all resultants necessary for checking the connection according to the connection
design model.

Limitations of the K/N Connection Model

The models for the K/N gap and overlap connections are only valid for one bracing member in tension
and the other in compression. A node load occurring at the connection may result in both bracing
members being simultaneously in tension or compression, thus invalidating the model. Microstran
detects this condition at each K/N connection for any load case and displays an error message.

Noding Eccentricity
The eccentricity at a connection is the distance from the intersection of the bracing members to the
center-line of the chord. Eccentricity is positive when measured towards the outside of the chord and
negative towards the inside.
Initially, all K/N truss connections are shown in Limcon with a zero chord eccentricity. Whether K/N
connections with zero eccentricity are gap or overlap connections depends on the geometry of the truss.
This means that a connection specified in Microstran as a K/N overlap connection may appear in
Limcon as a K/N gap connection. Similarly, a connection specified in Microstran as a gap connection
may appear in Limcon as an overlap connection. When you edit a connection you may set the
eccentricity as required and the connection type will be adjusted accordingly.
The values of gap or overlap corresponding to zero eccentricity may not be admissible in the
connection design model for example, in an overlap connection the overlap must be at least 25% but

cannot exceed 100%. Usually, the gap or overlap would be specified to give the desired connection
detail but the resulting eccentricity must then be considered.
Unless rigid offsets are specified in the chord members the eccentricity in the Microstran model will be
zero. Discontinuities will be visible in the Microstran OpenGL view between a connection and the rest
of the structure if the eccentricity in the Microstran model does not equal that in the connection.

Joint Bending Moments

Bracing Members
Bending moment is usually not significant in the bracing members of a truss, and indeed, it is not
considered in the HSS truss connection models. The bracing members in the Microstran model for an
HSS truss often include pins (moment releases) at each end but bracing member bending moments are
usually negligible without them.
Chords
The HSS truss connection models take into account bending moment in the chords caused by
transverse member loading but that caused by noding eccentricity may be ignored provided that the
eccentricity is within the prescribed limits. For design of the chord members, however, the bending
moment caused by noding eccentricity must be considered. It is necessary to introduce rigid offsets in
the chord members to ensure that the chord design moments are consistent with the connection
eccentricities.

USING INTEGRATED CONNECTION DESIGN

Note: You must use kN and meter units in your Microstran model if you are going to use integrated
connection design.

Steel Member Design

Before using integrated connection design you must have used an optional steel design module to
check all design members. The steps required are:
Analyse the structure.
Initialize design members.
Modify design data as required.
Specify the load cases to be used in the design.
Check all design members.
Update design member sections as required.
Please refer to Microstran User Manual for detailed information.

Input Connection Data

The only item of connection data required in Microstran is the connection type, and for a splice, the
offset from the start of the member. The dialog box below is displayed for each design member where
you wish to add a connection. Not all connection types are displayed in the dialog box because
Microstran automatically eliminates any that are not feasible. At the bottom of a column, for example,
the only available connection types are the pinned and fixed base plate.

CONNECTION TYPE DIALOG BOX

This dialog box is displayed after the steel member design data dialog boxes when you select the
Design > Design Data > Input/Edit command. You may also go straight to this dialog box by rightclicking any design member and choosing Steel Connection Type on the pop-up menu.
The connection type entered at this stage is not checked. If an inappropriate connection has been
chosen an error message will normally be displayed when you check the connection.

Check Steel Connections

The next step in connection design is to select the Design > Steel Connections command and then
click on all design members whose connections are to be checked. After selecting these design
members, right-click and choose OK on the pop-up menu. Limcon then displays a connection dialog
box for each connection in turn.

CONNECTION DIALOG BOX

You may change any connection detail or dimension. The dialog box for some simpler connections
contains a Design button, which iteratively changes the connection parameters, searching for a
configuration that passes all strength checks. This may not always give a satisfactory design. It is
always your responsibility to ensure that the final connection configuration is satisfactory in every way.

When you click the OK button in the connection dialog box the connection details are saved and the
dialog box is displayed for the next connection. If you click the Cancel button any changes made in the
dialog box are abandoned and the dialog box is not displayed for any remaining selected connections.
You may check connections one at a time by right-clicking on a design member and selecting Check
Steel Connection from the pop-up menu. Where you right-click on the design member determines
which connection is checked in Limcon. Right-clicking within the end quarter of the design member
selects the connection, if it exists, at that end of the design member. Right-clicking within the middle
half of a member selects the splice, if it exists.

Display Steel Connections

Having checked all the connections in the job, you may display an OpenGL image of the whole
structure, including connections, by clicking the Virtual Reality View button see below for detailed
information on Microstrans OpenGL view. Initially, connections are not shown type C to redraw
the view including connections.
Connection data is saved in Limcon files in the Microstran data folder. These files are created when
Limcon is run for each connection and they are accessed when you display connections.

Reports
A detailed report for selected connections is available with the Reports > Steel Connections
command. The report may be previewed with the File > Print Preview command or printed using the
File > Print File command.

Updating Design Member Sections

The essential commands in Microstran steel design are:
Design > Steel > Check All
After this operation the Microstran database contains a strength ratio or load factor for each design
member checked (this is the ratio of the available strength to the required strength).
Design > Steel > Design
In this operation, Microstran determines the minimum satisfactory section for each design member but
the database is not automatically updated with this section. If you check a connection at this stage the
section transferred to Limcon is that in the Microstran database; i.e. Limcon uses the actual section, not
the one that steel design says is required.
Design > Update Sections
This command is required to make the design members in the Microstran model adequate to resist the
design actions. The operation invalidates the analysis results; i.e. the bending moments and other forces
throughout the structure were not derived using the sections that steel design has determined to be
necessary. Microstran automatically deletes analysis results as soon as you take any step that
invalidates them. Connection data, however, is not stored in the Microstran database, so you must
ensure that all connections in the model are re-checked whenever you do anything that invalidates
them. To do this, choose the Design > Steel Connections > Check All command.

OPENGL GRAPHICS IN MICROSTRAN

An important feature of Microstran is its OpenGL view. This is a window containing a virtual reality
representation of the structure. With integrated connection design enabled, this graphical representation
includes every detail of each connection in the model, right down to the welds and markings on the
bolts.
Initially, when you drag the mouse, the structure rotates in the drag direction about the center of the
structure. Double-click on any point on the displayed model and that point becomes the new center of
rotation. If you double-click away from the structure the structure may become invisible in this case,
press Esc to revert to the initial view. You may pan the view by dragging with the right mouse button
and you may zoom with the mouse wheel or the Page Up and Page Down keys.

MICROSTRANS OPENGL VIEW

A pop-up menu appears when you right-click the stationary mouse anywhere on the structure (if the
mouse is moving you will pan). This menu, shown below, offers commands to toggle the display of
connections (keyboard shortcut C), node numbers (N), node symbols (S), member numbers
(M), and connection status flags (F). It also allows you to display node or member property dialog
boxes and change or check a connection with Limcon.
Connection status flags show the connection number on the front and the connection strength ratio
(load factor) on the reverse type R to reverse the flags. The flag is green when the strength ratio is
1.0 or greater, red when it is less than 1.0, and black when the connection has not been checked.
The File menu for the OpenGL view allows you to save a .JPG file of the image or print the image.
Keyboard shortcuts for these commands are J and P, respectively.

May, 2008

Microstran V8 - Moving Loads Graphics Input

A small skew grillage has been defined with an existing load case (Dead load).
1. Specify 3 lanes, allowing sufficient runoff for M1600 truck.
2. Specify small user-defined truck.
3. Set up M1600 trucks at the start of lanes 1 & 2.
4. Set up user-defined truck at start of lane 3.
5. Specify offset load cases to move trucks across grillage with appropriate load factors.
6. Specify combination load cases to combine moving truck loads with existing dead load case.
7. Apply loads
Specify lanes

Specify user-defined truck

Case 10 - M1600 at start of lane 1

(Case 11 similar M1600 at start of lane 2)

Case 12 - User-defined truck at start of lane 3

Specify offset load cases:

* Move all trucks along lanes
* Factor truck loads

Specify combination cases to combine existing case 1 with moving load cases

Process applied loads, display applied loads

(Use Drive command to proceed automatically)

Apply loads to grillage, display grillage loads

After distribution of loads to grillage, confirm that any original cases are to be retained