3. Masonry wall creation

The RC/masonry wall editor is run from the corresponding option of the main menu. Initially, the user must choose between RC or masonry section from the respective options :

3.1 RC wall creation

First the section type is selected from the available options from the respective toolbar buttons :

Rectangular section. Geometric data : b1, h1.

L-section. Geometric data: b1, b2, h1, h2.

T- section. Geometric data: b1, b2, h1, h2, h3.

U- section. Geometric data : b1, b2, b3, h1, h2, h3.

Z- section. Geometric data: b1, b2, b3, h1, h2, h3.

S- section. Geometric data: b1, b2, b3, h1, h2, h3.

The geometric data for each section type are displayed in the following figure (these are displayed on screen by clicking the button) :

Having input the geometric data of the selected section type in the corresponding fields and the reinforcement cover, the section shape is created by clicking the button. Particular attention must be drawn at this point, since the local axes 2 and 3 displayed in the editor must match the respective axes in the ETABS model (on plan). Should this not be the case, the section must be rotated using the appropriate buttons and by +90^ο and -90^ο respectively (the axes remain constant).

When the section is ready, its name should be input in the relevant field, which must match the respective Pier name assigned in ETABS. Next, the section file must be saved in the same folder where the Input and Output design files were stored, as described in section Σφάλμα! Το αρχείο προέλευσης της αναφοράς δεν βρέθηκε.. To save the file, either click the button. 

The file name will be the same as the section name*, with a .wal extension, e.g. WALL1.wal in the following example :

* It is reminded that there is a limit of 9 characters (no spaces allowed) for the section name.

All the aforementioned activities are not required when in S.EN. mode, since these sections are automatically created.

Additional editor options are as follows :

-   button: Opens a prepared RC wall section (file with a .wal extension) from the hard drive.

-   button: Saves on the hard drive a previously stored section under a different name.

button : Displays the RC wall outline (initial figure).

button : Displays the outline of the RC wall’s end columns.

button : Displays the outline of the RC wall’s core(s).

-  Optional parameter Wall Story : Should the RC wall dimensions vary from floor to floor in the ETABS model, then separate sections (.wal files) must be created having the same name (which must always match the corresponding Pier name in the ETABS model) and by inputting the corresponding floor name in the relevant field. The created file has the form <section name>@<floor name> (e.g. WALL1@STORY1) and is automatically identified during the design run. (this ia done automatically when in S.EN. mode)

3.2 Masonry wall creation

The same procedure as for RC wall section creation applies for the masonry wall section creation. The only differences are that the created file names have the .mas extension (e.g. MASONRY1.MAS) and their creation is not subject to regulatory clauses governing minimum dimensions. It is again highlighted that the local axes 2 and 3 displayed in the editor must match those in the ETABS model and the editor section name must match the corresponding Pier/Spandrel name assigned in the ETABS model.

This of course is not the case for the software in S.EN. mode, since then the *.mas sections are created automatically, when they correspond to one of the predefined shapes.

The geometric data for each section type are shown in the following figure (these can be displayed on the screen by clicking the  button) :

Usually in masonry wall models the number of masonry areas and intermediate RC beams (lateral supports) can be very large and the creation of the necessary elements following the above procedure can be cumbersome. To facilitate the creation of the masonry sections, when in Etabs mode, there is the option to create multiple masonry elements, which is displayed by clicking on the  button at the toolbar. The procedure described below is to be followed in the popped up window :

1. By clicking the  button (Copy) the form is copied on the Clipboard. Next, it is pasted in a spreadsheet (e.g. Microsoft Excel^®).

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2. The geometric data is filled in the spreadsheet for each section (one per line). In the section type it is filled Ι, G, Τ, P, Ζ, S for rectangular, L-, T-, U-, Z- or S-section respectively. Next, select the whole table (Ctrl-A) and copy (Ctrl-C) and paste it in the multiple element creation window by clicking the  button.

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3. By clicking the  Save button, the folder* where all the masonry wall section files (.mas) are saved is selected.  Should any of the sections require further editing (e.g. rotation), they can be opened in the editor, modified accordingly and saved.

All the above are only used for reviewing the sections when in S.EN. mode.

^*The same folder where the Input and Output files from the design are stored.