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Microstran Fundamentals
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.
May 2013
Microstran Introduction
Richard Collins
Engineering Systems Pty Ltd
Management of job data
Microstran basics
Display of attributes
Standard structures.
Display of attributes:
Node/member labelling.
Query output window.
Data tips.
Property dialog box.
Graphics Input
HTML Help
Microstran Help
Command Assistant
Tool tips for toolbar buttons.
Tool tips in dialog boxes.
Help topics HTML Help.
Undo/Redo.
Long file names.
Data tips for nodes and members.
Icons on menus.
Customizable toolbars.
Print preview.
Interruptible commands.
Extrusion.
Undo/Redo.
Print preview for graphics and reports.
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.
Extrusion.
Stretch command.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Specify combination cases to combine existing case 1 with moving load cases
After distribution of loads to grillage, confirm that any original cases are to be retained