Create the Structural Axis and Stories

Learn how to create a structural axis as the basis for the column grid and how to add stories for the levels of the building.

1. Start a new project using the Building Design Template.
2. Click Tools > (Preferences…).
3. In the Preferences dialog, in the Languages area, set the Regional settings to Eurocode, as shown below.
   
   
4. Click Tools > Job Preferences, and then select Metric as the default units system.
5. In the Menu Bar, select Geometry > (Axis Definition…).
6. In the Structural Axis dialog box, on the X tab, set the Position to 0, No. of repet. to 8, Distance to 6 (m) and Numbering to A B C… and then click Add. On the Y tab, set the Position to 0, No. of repet. to 5, Distance to 6, and Numbering to 1 2 3… as shown below.

   

7. Click Apply and close the dialog box. The new axis displays as shown below.

   

8. In the view window, click the View tab to change to the 3D view. By default, there are Base and Story 1 levels as shown below.

   

9. In the Menu Bar, click Geometry > Stories > (Stories…).
10. In the Stories dialog box, select Define manually.
11. Select the existing Story 1 and click Delete. The Reference level reverts to 0.
12. Set the No. of repet. to 5, the Height to 4, and the Numbering to Story 1,2,… (as shown below) and then click Add.

    

13. Click Apply and then close the dialog box. The stories display as shown below.

    

14. Save the project as Structure-Seismic.rtd.