Member Definition - Parameters (ANSI/AISC 360)

Use this dialog to define the code parameters of a member type according to the ANSI/AISC 360-05, ANSI/AISC 360-10, and ANSI/AISC 360-16 codes.

Access

Dialog elements

Member Type
Specifies the name of the selected member type.
Note: You can enter a new name in the member type box.
Buckling (y axis) and Buckling (z axis)
Use the Buckling (y axis) and Buckling (z axis) options to determine the length of a member for the appropriate plane.
Enter a value in the member length box, and then define this length in either of the following ways:
  • Select Real, to use the value in the member length box as the member length.
  • Select Coefficient, to use the value in the member length box as the coefficient by which the real member length should be multiplied to obtain the required value. For example, if the value 0.25 is entered, it means that the relevant member length equals 1/4 of the real length.
    Note: This last method is especially convenient for example if you want to define simultaneously several members with differing actual length, with additional supports that are equally spaced. This method is necessary if the parameters are saved as a category. If the value 1.0 is entered, it guarantees that each member defined using the category as Ly will have its actual length accepted.
Buckling length coefficients (Ky and Kz)
Use the buckling length coefficients options to define the member buckling length coefficients.

The actual bar length, or the sum of the component member lengths, is automatically entered in the appropriate fields.

The Buckling length coefficient depends on the end-support condition of member nodes in the buckling plane.

Click the icon corresponding to the selected buckling type, to open the Buckling types dialog which allows you to define the buckling length of a member. Typical member support schemes are provided here; when one of them is selected, the coefficient value will be accepted or calculated automatically.

The icons in the Buckling types dialog are divided in two groups:
  • Typical (code) methods of member support and the corresponding values of buckling coefficients.
  • Options used to calculate buckling coefficient for columns of multi-story frames.

Buckling is always considered during calculations when a compressive force acts on a member, even if it is negligible in comparison to other internal forces. The program does not perform - on its own - a separate analysis that would determine if buckling effects may be disregarded or not.

Select Buckling to exclude buckling effects from the calculations.

Flexural-torsional buckling
Select this option to perform an additional check of members made of specific types of shapes (tees, channels, and mono-symmetrical I sections) against flexural-torsional buckling.
Note: For the ANSI/AISC 360-16 code, you can also perform this check of members made of the following types of shapes:
  • Bi-symmetrical I sections
  • Rectangular HSS.
Lateral Buckling Parameters
Use the Lateral Buckling Parameters Cb and Lb to select which options to use during the verification of member lateral buckling.
Lateral buckling
Select this option to take into account the code requirements concerned with lateral buckling during the member calculations.
Lateral buckling length coeff. Cb
Lateral buckling calculations require that the distance between sections protected against torsion, also called lateral buckling length, be specified for a member. Due to the possibility of supporting the upper or lower flange separately and the occurrence of compressive stresses in upper or lower flange for different load cases, two lateral buckling lengths are distinguished. There is a coefficient provided, by which the base member length should be multiplied to obtain the lateral buckling length. As base length, the lz length is assumed.
Enter a coefficient value directly or choose an icon with typical support case for which the coefficient will be selected automatically.
Note: The symbols included in the Lateral buckling length Coeff. dialog are explained in the Detailed Results tab of the Results dialog. This dialog contains definitions of all the parameters assumed for steel member calculations and result values obtained after member calculations.
Seismic analysis parameters
Select this option to check the additional conditions that should be satisfied by steel load-carrying elements subjected to seismic loads during the steel design.
Note: The programs uses a set of regulations for seismic loads based on the code ANS/AISC 341-16 - 'Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel buildings.

The verification of steel elements for a seismically-loaded structure includes the verification of steel sections according to American steel code ANSI/AISC 360-16 - 'Specification for Structural Steel Buildings' which applies the additional limitations given in ANS/AISC 341-16 - 'Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings'.

System
Contains the list of seismic systems.
Note:
  • If you select the STMF system, you can specify if you also want to check the Special segment members.
  • If you select the OCBF (Ordinary Concentrically Braced Frames) system, you can specify if you also want to check the OCBF above Seismic Isolation systems.
Element type
Contains the list of elements available for the selected system.
Service
Opens the Serviceability - Displacement Values dialog which allows you to define the limit displacements for a member.
More
Opens the Member definition - additional parameters dialog which allows you to define the remaining member type parameters described in the code such as: equivalent moment factor, section parameters, etc.
Stiffeners
Opens the Location of transverse stiffeners dialog which allows you to define transverse stiffeners along the member length.
Save
Adds the member type with its defined name and determined parameters to the list of previously defined steel member types.