This option is used to determine additional code parameters of the type of a steel member for the Chinese code GB50017 - 2003. It is available after pressing the More button in the Member Definition - Parameters dialog box.
Options in the above dialog box enable definition of additional parameters of a member:
- load patterns (on pressing the icons the program opens an additional dialog box: Load patterns for a member); the option is used to calculate a value of the equivalent moment parameter of members subjected to simultaneous compression and tension; defining any of the load patterns results in automatic calculation of the coefficients bmy , b mz (according to point 5.2.2.1) and the coefficients b ty, b tz (according to point 5.2.2.2); if the coefficient is defined manually by typing a value into the edit field, then this value is adopted at the same time for the coefficients b m and bt
- section factor (for a section subjected to axial forces): An/A ratio of areas - the option is used to define the ratio of the net area of a section which includes bolt openings to the gross area of a section. In addition, there is a possibility to define the number of all bolts in a connection and in a critical section being analyzed. This data is used by the program for verification of a member due to tension according to point 5.1.1 of the code
- section factors (for a section in bending): the ratios Wny/Wy and Wnz/Wz - the option is used to define the ratio of the net section modulus (for a section including bolt openings) to the gross section modulus. The factors are considered in the calculations during verification of the member section ratio according to point 4.1.1 of the code
- method of angle connection - the option makes it possible to determine if an angle member is fixed to the remaining structure part by one leg or in any other way; for compression members made of angles fixed by one leg the steel strength is reduced by the program according to the guidelines in point 3.2.2.1 of the code.
In the lower part of the dialog box additional conditions for round sections may be determined: unidirectional bending. If the option is activated, then during calculations of a member with round-section subjected to bi-axial bending, the moments My and Mz are replaced by a resultant moment being their vector sum. From that moment on the program treats the member as a member subjected to unidirectional bending.