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Working With Columns

Defining a New Column

Before inserting a column member its reference axes must be defined.

Column can only be inserted on insertion point defined by intersection of 2 axes.

To define a new column member (Concrete/Steel):

Display the storey level in the drawing area which will contain the top of the column.
To create concrete column, pick “Column” from the “Modelling” ribbon at RC Members section.
To create steel column, pick “Column” from the “Modelling” at Steel Members section.
Edit the fields in the "Column Properties" form. For example, enter the column label in the "Label" field (max. 8 characters) to modify the section dimensions and eccentricities.
To insert the column, click on the required reference point in the either the plan view drawing area or the 3D view. You have to pick an axis intersection as the insertion point.
Labels of the reference axes will be shown in “Top” and “Bot” fields on “Column Properties” form.

The same axes intersections will be written in these fields when the column is first defined. In this case, column will be placed vertically along the storey levels.
In order to define a column that is inclined along the storey levels, “Top” and “Bot” fields must be changed later on. Changing the insertion axes of a column is explained under “Insertion Axes” title of this section.

Multiple columns with the same properties can be inserted at the same time by dragging a window enclosing multiple intersection of axes. Columns will be inserted at every axes intersection within the window.

Editing an Existing Column

In order to edit an existing column:

Select an existing column.
Right-click and select the “Properties” menu option.
Alternatively, double left-click on a column to bring out the Properties menu.
Modify the fields in the "Column Properties" form.
Press the "Update" button in the “Properties” form.

Right-clicking on any one of the “b1”, “b2”, “e1”, or “e2” fields will load a list of commonly used values that may facilitate data entry.

You can repeat this process on as many members as you wish. One member at a time can be edited by this method.

Editing Multiple Columns

If you want to update several columns at once, you can :

Multiple select columns to be edit > Right-Click > Properties
Column Table dialog will be shown where you can display & edit properties in a group

Alternatively, with no columns selected :

Right-Click anywhere in the modelling view
Select "Member Tables" > Column Tables
Column Table will show all columns in the active Storey

Refer to this article for details : Display and Edit Member Properties

Update Column End Conditions

To change the end conditions for multiple columns at the same time:

Select the existing column(s).
Right-click and select “Update Column End Conditions”.
Choose the required end conditions, i.e. Fix or Hinge
Press the "Apply to Selected Columns”, “Apply to All Columns in Current Storey" or "Apply to All Columns in the Model" as required.

Column Properties

"Column Properties" will be loaded when the "Column" icon in the "Modelling" ribbon is clicked.

The “Column Properties” form comprises 2 pages named as “Gen” = General & “Geo” = Geometry. You can shift between pages by pressing the related tab heading.

The “Column Properties” form can also be accessed after selecting an existing column and then by right-clicking and choosing the “Properties” option in the shortcut menu.

When the “Column Properties” form is open, right clicking on a new column member in plan window and selecting the “Select and Load Properties” option in the shortcut menu will load the properties of the new member in the same window.

The General tab consists of the following fields / options :

Label

The label that will identify the column can be entered in this field. This field (after formatted to be a proper label) is limited to 8 characters. A text control spin button exists to the right of the label field to facilitate the creation of successive label text.

As in all member types, column member labels will be listed in the “Structure Tree” under the related storey heading. This list can be used to select a member by label.

Repeating member labels is not permitted in a building. During the insertion of members the program will sound an alarm and a warning message will appear in the status bar if a repeating member label is detected.

Len (Length Storey)

Enter the number of storeys the column spans. Generally, every column spans one storey in building type structures. If the column span more than one storey, the number of storeys can be defined in this field.

For example, if a column in the 4^th storey spans to the 2^nd storey top level, this means that the column will exist along 4^th and 3^rd storeys. Therefore, "2" must appear in the "Len (Storey)" field.

Column with "Len > 1" will be rendered in grey color in the lower storey(s) where the column is spanning.

Hence, if "Len > 1" is used, do not create a new column at the lower storey(s) where the above column is already spanning, overwise they will be overlapping.

RC Column Dimensions (b1, b2)

This field is only applicable for square or rectangular concrete column.

"b1" is the section dimension of the column along the direction-1 axis it is inserted and "b2" is the other dimension orthogonal to "b1" for a rectangular column. If the direction code of the column is "1/2", then "b2" is the dimension of the column along the direction-2 axis at its insertion.

"b2" dimension must be zero to define a circular column. When “b2” is zero, "b1" will be the diameter of the circular column.

There
is limit to the ratio of the dimension (b2/b1) of the columns according to
selected code of practice. If the ratio is exceeded, it must be modelled as a
wall instead for column.

For example in British Code, column whose larger
dimension exceeds 4 times the smaller dimension should be designed as wall, as
per BS8110-1997 (Cl.1.3.4.1).

Column Eccentricities (e1, e2)

"e1" and "e2" fields define the eccentricities of the column from the insertion axes along direction 1 and 2, respectively.

These fields define the eccentricity between the center / centroid of the column to the axis intersection.

Column eccentricities can be set easily by using the "Insertion Options” button in the form.

Column Insertion Options Button

A set of column insertion option buttons are provided for facilitating the definition of “e1” and “e2” fields.

Insertion Options

After setting the dimensions of a column, you can easily set the column eccentricities by pressing the “Column Insertion Options” button. After pressing this button a window will appear displaying “Eccentricity Option Buttons”.

Choosing one of the options available in the “Eccentricity Option Buttons” will automatically redefine the “e1” and “e2” fields.

The "Update" button must be pressed to update the selected column with the new eccentricity values.

It should be noted that the eccentricities of the column defined here will not modify the location of the actual analytical frame member used in the analysis model. The frame member will be located on the insertion point of the column.

A positive value entered in “Eccentricity (a)” field is used to shift the insertion point of the column in both "1" and "2" directions. The formulation used can be viewed in the tooltip of relevant buttons.

Alternatively, you can control the “e1” and “e2” values using the direction keys of your keyboard.

In order to modify the eccentricities, first select a column and load the “Properties” dialog.

Then, when you press left or right keys, the “e1” property, when you press up or down keys, the “e2” property will be modified and the column is displaced.
The eccentricity step value can be set using the “Member Section Eccentricity Step” value in Settings Center > ProtaStructure Environment

Alternatively, without bringing out the "Properties" dialog, use keyboard arrow keys directly to move the wall.

Column Anchor Point

A set of column anchor option buttons are provided to anchor a specific point on its section.

Column Anchor Point Options

After you anchored a point on column section, when the section size is changed, the member is automatically resized with reference to the anchor point.

To assign Anchor point via Column Properties window:

Select a column, right-click and choose "Properties".
Click on the Anchor icon and choose the desired anchor point.

To assign Anchor point via right-click dialog:

Select a column.
Right-click select "Column Section Anchor Point", choose the desired anchor point.

Alternatively, select the column:

Press CTRL + SHIFT + Arrow keys to set anchors to corners automatically
Press CTRL + Arrow keys to flush the member to grids.

Insertion Axes

All structural members are inserted based on axis intersections as an insertion reference. At least two axes must intersect at every insertion point.

Labels of the reference axes will be displayed in “Top” and “Bot” fields on “Column Properties” form. Same axes intersections will be written in these fields when the column is first defined. In this case column will be placed vertically along the storey levels.

The "Top" insertion axes cannot be changed.

The Bot Insertion axes or point can be changed, to model a slanting / inclined column by clicking on "Bot Insertion Point"

Refer to this article of slanting or inclined column : Define Slanting/Sloping Column.

Column Orientation

Column orientation can be controlled "Angle" input. Angle is always measured horizontal, anti-clockwise.

Further, the orientation can be controlled by "Dir" options :

When "1" is pressed, "b1" dimension of the column will be set parallel to the direction-1 insertion axis that appears in the "Axes" fields. "b2" dimension will be perpendicular to this direction.
When "2" is pressed, "b2" dimension of the column will be set parallel to the direction-2 insertion axis that appears in the "Axes" fields. "b1" dimension will be perpendicular to this direction.
When "1/2" is pressed, then dimension of the column will be parallel to both direction 1 & 2 insertion axes respectively.

Column End-Condition Options (Fix / Hinge)

Columns ends are fixed by default when it is created.

The End Releases options enables users to release the internal forces of a column with respect to the Top I and Bottom J node.

To quickly hinge column ends, i.e. release moments, you can click successively at end condition icon

Alternatively, you can check / uncheck the releases individual force, i.e. axial, shear & moment.

The sign convention is always with respect to the local axes of the column as shown below

N releases the internal axial force
V2 releases the shear along axis 2
V3 releases the shear along axis 3
M2 releases the moment about axis 2
M3 releases the moment about asix 3

Column end conditions also can be assigned through shortcut menu. Select a column or multiple beams, right-click > Update Beam End Condition > select your preference.

Section Manager

Column section manager and material can be accessed in “Edit Section / Material” by either :

Click "Section Manager" icon in column Properties menu
Select a column > Right-Click > select "Edit Section / Material"

The Section Manager of concrete and steel column is as shown below.

On the left side, under Database tab are options for different types of columns :

Concrete : If concrete is chosen, various types pre-defined shapes such as "L", "T", "I" can be selected.
Steel : If Steel is chosen, then various country section database can be chosen such as Euro, Singapore, Japan, Chine, etc.
Built Up Steel : Can be used to enter non-standard steel sections.
Cold Formed : Cold formed sections usually used for roof, e.g. "Z" sections
Composite : Steel column encased in concrete (without / without Steel Casing)

For irregular column shapes not available in the above selection, it can still be drawn by refer to Polyline Column Editor

On right side comprised of “General” & “Properties” tabs

The section name, dimensions. display color & Materials can be changed in “General” tab.
The moment of inertia, section area and other properties can be reviewed in the “Properties” tab.

General tab

Section dimensions input fields will be shown and can be edited.

Under "Materials", material properties (concrete and reinforcing steel grade) defined in "Materials" dialog will be assigned as "Default" to the column element unless otherwise specified :

To change from default, you can click on [Default] to change the material.
However, we advise you do not change the default as material are best set in master Materials dialog (in "Building Setout" ribbon). This is more efficient that trying to set each column material one by one.

Properties tab

The section properties tab shows all the auto-calculated section properties of the column.

"I1" is the moment of inertia along direction-1 axis (about direction-2 axis) and "I2" is the moment of inertia along direction-2 axis (about direction-1 axis) of the column.

“A” is the gross area of the section

“Shear Area” is used for the calculation of shear deformations and is calculated automatically as "5/6" times the axial area of the section.

You can override the automatically calculated properties by either :

Under Factors, input the ratio, example 1 = 100%, 0.5 = 50%
Check "Edit Manually" & manually enter values. Be warned that this will de-link the auto-calculation of section properties, e.g. when column sizes change.

Column Geometry tab

In column properties, Geometry tab consist of the following :

Plane (Top) & (Bot)

This field will be state the plane number that is attached to this column. The top & bottom node will automatically follow that of the attached plane.

To detach it from the plane you can click the icon

For information on plane, refer : Working with Planes

del z (Top) & (Bot)

By default, when column is created, it automatically follows the storey height.

Example if you model the column at ST01 :

The top node of the column is the same as the top of the storey ST01 level – i.e. del z (Top) = 0mm
The bottom node is the same as the top of the below storey ST00 level – i.e. del z (Bot) = 0mm.

You can manually change the top and bottom node of the column by modifying del z values, example :

Del z (Top) : Positive value will elongate the column upwards, vice versa
Del z (Bot) : Positive value will shorten the column upwards, vice versa.

If "Plane" is used to define the column, the delta z value will automatically be calculated based on plane elevation & these fields will be deactivated.

Drop / Slab Patch Panel

In Flat Slab type floor systems (no beams), a drop panel can be inserted on top of the columns in order to increase punching resistance.

Please do not insert a drop panel if there are beams framing into the column or wall, as drop panel are meant specifically for flat slab (no beams).

There will be analysis & design conflict where beams, being stiffer, will inherently absorb most of the shear forces; rendering the drop panel redundant.

Slab patch panels can be created in order to design additional rebars at the column support regions.

A Column Drop or a Patch Panel can be independently assigned to columns. In other words, column drop dimensions can be different than patch panels.

To insert drop panel, check "Drop Layout" :

Dimensions and Eccentricities of the Drop Panel can be adjusted using “b1”, “b2”, “e1” and “e2” data fields. Definition of these parameters are identical with column dimension and eccentricity parameters.
In order to locate the drop panel just to center the column, press “Center” button . “e1” and “e2” values will automatically be determined according to the column size.
"H" field is the total depth of the Drop Panel, measured from top of the flat slab. Hence, the value must be more than the slab thickness.

To insert Patch panel, check "Patch Layout" :

Dimensions and Eccentricities of the Drop Panel can be adjusted using “b1”, “b2”, “e1” and “e2” data fields
In order to locate the drop panel just to center the column, press “Center” button . “e1” and “e2” values will automatically be determined according to the column size.

Kindly read this article for further details on flat slab design using drop & slab patch panels : Flat Slab and Raft Design with Slab Patch Panels

Support Types

You can review or change the Support Type for the bottom Node of a column :

[Default] – For all columns & walls created in ST01, a default fixed support (restrains in all six degree of freedom (DOF) will always be created & assigned automatically, as ST01 is the ground floor
For all columns & walls created in ST02 and above, the [Default] option means it is free to move (not restrained) and will automatically be supported by elements modelled below it.
[None] means the column or wall be free to move in 3D. This option should not be used, as it ignore any elements modelled at the column bottom node.
If there are other supported types created via Support Type function – they will be listed & selectable.

Transfer Member

If the column is discontinuous, i.e. it is a transfer column then this option must be checked.

Checking this option will ensure the transfer column be correctly analyzed and designed.

Refer to this article for details : How to model a Transfer Beam supporting discontinuous columns and walls

Vertical only Member

Check “Vertical-Only Member (VOM)” option to designate the member as a vertical-only (not part of the lateral load resisting system) member. When this option is checked, corresponding member(s) will only design for VOM load combinations.

For more information about VOM load combinations, please refer to Designating Vertical-Only Load Combinations

Update Button

Whenever you make new specifications in one of the fields in “Column Properties” form for an existing column member, press the “Update” button in order to display the changes in the plan window.

Close Button

Pressing the “Close” button will close the “Column Properties” form and return back to “Select Mode”.

Column/Wall Shortcut Menu

You can access the most often used command options for the column members in the shortcut menu (displayed by right-clicking the mouse) of from "Column/wall" ribbon after selecting a column (or a group of columns)

A shortcut menu for a single column selection includes “Polyline Column Editor”, “Column Reinforcement Design”, “Column Steel Details” and “Column Punching Check” options specific to a column member. These options will be omitted from the shortcut menu when multiple columns are selected.

“Delete”, “Mirror Elements” and “Properties” options are default options in shortcut menus for all member types. All the options provided in a column shortcut menu may also be accessed by using the pulldowns.

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