ETABS is a structural and earthquake engineering software produced for the analysis and design of multi-story buildings. Developed in context with the grid-like geometry unique to multi-story building design, ETABS tailors control features and software functions to this class of structure. The graphical interface, object-based modeling tools, nonlinear and dynamic computational processes, and output options all coordinate to streamline and simplify building design.

Modeling of Structural Systems

The observation that multi-story buildings typically consist of identical or similar floor plans, repeating in the horizontal, and supported by gravity and lateral systems in the vertical, is fundamental to ETABS application. ETABS enables the methods and technologies at the forefront of structural engineering, providing a suite of modeling features:

• templates for global-system and local-element modeling
• custom section geometry and constitutive behavior
• grouping of frame and shell elements
• link element assignment for characterization of isolators, dampers, and other advanced seismic systems
• hinge property specification
• automatic meshing with optional user control
• extrusion tools for radial geometry
• diaphragm constraints
• editing and assignment features for plan, elevation, and 3D views

Loading, Analysis, and Design

Once modeling is complete, ETABS automatically generates and assigns code-based loading conditions for gravity, seismic, wind, and thermal forces. Users may specify an unlimited number of load cases and combinations.

Analysis capabilities then offer advanced nonlinear methods for characterization of static-pushover and dynamic response. Dynamic considerations may include modal, response-spectrum, or time-history analysis. P-delta effect account for geometric nonlinearity.

Given enveloping specification, design features will automatically size elements and systems, design reinforcing schemes, and otherwise optimize the structure according to desired performance measures.

Output, Interoperability, and Versatility

Output and display formats are also practical and intuitive. Moment, shear, and axial force diagrams, presented in 2D and 3D views with corresponding data sets, may be organized into customizable reports. Also available are detailed section cuts depicting various local response measures. Global perspectives depicting static displaced configurations or video animations of time-history response are available as well.

ETABS also features interoperability with related software products, providing for the import of architectural models from various technical drawing software, or export to various platforms and file formats. SAFE, the floor and foundation slab design software with post-tensioning (PT) capability, is one such option for export.

coordinated SAFE to be used in conjunction with ETABS such that engineers could more thoroughly detail, analyze, and design the individual levels of an ETABS model.

While ETABS features a variety of sophisticated capabilities, the software is equally useful for designing basic systems. ETABS is the practical choice for all grid-like applications ranging from simple 2D frames to the most complex high rises.

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