Constraint in Etabs

[plopez]

Hi:
I'm generating a building model with several walls in Etabs.
I need the joint compatibility in the intersections of the walls to have the same vertical displacement .
In Sap2000 exists the "constraint joints" that makes this,but Etabs don't have this tool.
I make a partial solution using a "rod" with big axial section but the answer of my model depends of the value of the cross area of this element.
I apreciate your help..............Thanks

 

[amadeus]

plopez:

Line constraints is a feature added to ETABS on version 8. To activate this function, select one or more area objects then go to Assign -> Shell/Area -> Auto Line constraints and on the window that appears select Create line constraints around walls, ramps and floors and also check the Apply to Full Structure (not just selection). This will assure mesh and deformation compatibility between adjacent area objects.

Hope this was useful.

 

[plopez]

amadeus:

My model is built using frames (line objects) not using shells (area objects) thats the reason I need to link the intersection between two walls to make they have the same vertical displacement.
I have several stories in my model and I need a vertical constraint in all the corners of two walls.

I hope the question now is a little more clear.

Thanks..........

 

[amadeus]

There is something I don't understand. If you have two walls then you have at least two shells. If a beam frames into the end of any wall, then vertical deformation compatibility is automatically forced.
If you could post a 3d view of your model, perhaps I can give you further advice.

 

[plopez]

amadeus:
See the page

http://www.geocities.com/etabsmodels.

 

[plopez]

amadeus:
Sorry,the name of the web site is:

http://www.geocities.com/etabsmodels/building1.html

Thanks for your help......

 

[amadeus]

Ok. Let me review the pier design procedure so you can check with what you have modeled so far.
In ETABS, walls are modeled using shell elements. There is NO NEED to use other elements to model panels. To define the properties of the panels you go to Define -> Wall/Slab/Deck Sections. On the dialog box that appears you then choose Add New Wall. Another dialog box, you give it a name, a material property (usually concrete) the thickness (membrane and bending are usually the same) and the type (normally Shell).
Click OK and OK to close those dialog boxes. Then you proceed to draw the actual walls. I like to do it in plan view and if the walls have the same section over several stories, I activate the similar or all stories function. If two or more of the walls are coupled, by selecting them and assigning the same pier label in the SAME STORY, ETABS will output forces for those walls acting as a unity. In order to assure proper meshing in the wall- to- wall or slab to wall interfaces, you then select one or more shells and do the procedure I outlined in the previous post.
At this point you can mesh the shells automatically or manually. ETABS V8 automatic meshing is so good you will want to do it that way instead of manually. Run an analysis and then proceed to design the walls. One last thing. Remember those coupled walls? If you do Design -> Shear wall design -> Define general pier sections and add a pier section using the start from an existing wall pier. If you start from a coupled wall pier you alreday named, then the geometry of the whole coupled wall will be there in section designer so you will only have to assign the proper reinforcing. ETABS will generate an interaction diagram for the whole coupled wall and report a ratio based on the forces acting on the whole coupled wall as a unity. So you will have no worry about corner reinforcing.

Shear wall design can not get easier then that.

Hope this was useful.