This option is used to calculate appropriate bending resistances when checking the stability of a member as a whole, as specified in Section 8.4 of the New Zealand code NZS 3404. To access this option, click the appropriate icons in the Buckling length coefficient Y or Z fields in the Member Definition - Parameters dialog.
You can select one of 6 cases in this dialog:
- first 3 can be used in simple situations when, based on the code, constant values (-1,1) should be used
- next 3 allow automatic calculation of the beta,m coefficient, based on the configuration of bending moments on member (segment) ends and midpoints.