Data describing a structure's geometry, loads and the results obtained during structure analysis may be presented in a table format.
The easiest way to activate tables containing data about structure elements is to select one of the system layouts (such as Nodes, Bars, and Sections). A table containing the appropriate values will appear in the lower right corner of the screen. Structure load tables (loads, load combinations, and masses) may be activated by selecting the corresponding command from the Loads menu. Tables containing structure calculation results may be activated by selecting the appropriate command from the Results menu.
Executing these commands opens a standard table in which the initial user data or the results are displayed (such as node numbers, applied loads, and displacements). Available options for each dialog allow for content configuration. Right click to access these options (including filtering/sorting, table content management options, and others).
Activated tables may be divided into two base groups.
- Structure node data/results (such as supports, reactions, node displacement).
- Structure bar data/results (such as sections, materials, forces, stresses).
The lower part of the data table contains the Data, Edit and Info tabs. Results tables (Forces, Deflections, Stresses) contain the Values, Envelopes, Global Extremes, and Info tabs.
In data tables, the tabs Data and Edit contain the same columns. The Data tab is used to present the selected component elements of the structure, whereas editing or adding new records in the data tables may only be performed on the Edit tab.
When the Value tab in the Calculation Results table is selected, the resulting values are presented for all structure nodes/bars and all load cases defined for the structure. Selecting the Envelope tab displays the maximum and minimum values which were selected for presentation for all structure nodes/bars. Selecting the Global Extremes tab displays the minimal and maximal values which were obtained during structure analysis and selected for presentation in the table. The Info tab lists the nodes, bars and load cases for which values obtained during structure analysis will be displayed in the table.
Calculation results for all nodes/bars and load cases defined in the structure are presented in the table on the Value tab. To filter results, right click in the table and select Filters.
Tables have a default column setting (column number and width). The column length may be adjusted by moving its right margin and the column number may also be changed. Once the calculations are finished, a table containing the reaction values for structure support nodes is displayed on the screen. Additional columns containing data and the remaining calculation results can be added to the table. Right click in the table, and select the Columns to open the dialog in which the presentation values of the table may be selected. The dialog is made up of tabs such as General, Displacements, and Reactions. Select the desired parameters within the tabs and click OK to add or replace existing columns.
Step through the table cells by pressing the arrow keys. Manually change cell values and either press Enter or Tab.
Please note that you can select an element by clicking its cell in a table and you may select an element's table cell by selecting the element in the graphic editor.
Guidelines for Using Tables
It is possible to transfer the table data to a MS Excel spreadsheet.
- Select rows or columns in the table and press Ctrl+C to copy. In MS Excel press Ctrl+V to paste.
- Use the text file generation from the contents of the table option and import the file into MS Excel.
To move data from MS Excel into your table, select rows or columns in the Excel sheet and press Ctrl+C to copy. In the Edit tab of your table, select the location for the data and press Ctrl+V to paste.
To quickly fill the selected columns with identical values, do the following.
- Click the Edit tab.
- Select the rows that correspond to a given bar or node to be modified. This may be easier using the graphic selection options.
- Select Fill Special and enter the desired values.
- Press the Ctrl key and select the column. Cells which are located at the intersection of the selected columns and rows will be changed to the values defined in the Fill Special dialog. If specific rows are not selected, all the cells belonging to the selected column will be modified.
To quickly select the values from the list, press the first letter key of the desired option in an active cell with a scroll list.
To change the order of the cells in the table, select the column and drag it to its new position.
Table sorting is based on the desired order of the selected column and is performed by double-clicking on the header of the column. Reverting to the default column width is done by double-clicking on the right edge of the selected column.
The column width may be easily adjusted to fit the currently displayed values. Select the column (or columns) and select Adjust width.
To quickly enter the load parameters of a given bar, enter the symbol of a given parameter and the = (equals) sign in the row cell of the appropriate record. Type in the required values. It is not necessary to move to the cell with the given parameters in the default template displayed for the load type given.
To quickly select the elements or nodes assigned to the given load, click on the cell containing the element or node list corresponding to the given load. These objects will then be highlighted and will make up the active selection list.
Table contents will be discussed further on the example of the description of the table of loads.
See also: