Webinar Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis

Professional 15/04/2015
Steel Design - how to build a
model and assign design
parameters
Artur Kosakowski
Rafał Gawęda

© 2013
Autodesk
 Welcome to Autodesk Help Webinar Series!

Where do we announce?
 www.autodesk.com/help-webinars
 Autodesk RSA Forum
 BIM Toolbox

© 2013
Autodesk
 What are « Webinars » and how they are
intended to work

 What: Focusing on one or several topics in

order to give solutions for problems
frequently submitted to the support team

 How : The webinars will be the

combinations of slide presentations and
live use of the program followed by Q & A
sessions
These webinars are not supposed to be extended training sessions.

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 Topics covered in this “Webinar” and what we
plan for the next one:

 This Webinar : Steel Design - how to

build a model and assign design
parameters
 How to create a model
 How to define loads and load combinations
 How to define steel design parameters
 How to manage the results
 Tips and common errors
 Next Webinar : RC Design - workflows
for beams, columns and foundations for
© 2013
Autodesk
columns design 4
 How to create a model
 Define bar elements in such a way it is easy to assign design 
parameters. Consider their role in a structure and design 
criteria
 Create multi span beams as single elements among supports 
(columns) rather than single elements and cantilevers as 
separate bars so that it is easy to define SLS (deflection) limits

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 How to create a model
 Enter columns as single elements instead of being defined 
through the entire height of a structure which allows for both 
defining their displacement limits as well assigning them to the 
stories (seismic analysis)

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 How to create a model
 Use ‘’superbars” in case there is a need to split columns and 
beams between supports e.g. to define a connection or to 
change its section size (e.g. increase thickness of flanges of I 
section) on a part of its length

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 How to create a model
 Use offsets (bar shortening) to generate additional bending 
moments on columns which originate from pinned connections 
of beams to their flanges

The relative definition of the offset for a member length 
automatically adjusts its value to a change in the size of a column
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 How to create a model
 To define partial releases which represent real stiffness of 
connections you can use elastic  release definition

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 How to define loads and load
combinations
 Define point load with generation of calculation node

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 How to define loads and load
combinations
 In case you need pattern loading define live load on each span 
as separate load case

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 How to define loads and load
combinations
 Define all required  types of combinations 

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 How to define design parameters
 Member type definition for typical beams

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 How to define design parameters
 Member type definition for typical beams – internal bracings 

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 How to define design parameters
 Member type definition for typical beams – internal bracings (LTB)

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 How to define design parameters
 Member type definition ‐ columns in regular buildings

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 How to define design parameters
 Member type definition – other columns or bracing

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 How to define design parameters
 Member type definition ‐ cantilevers

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How to define design parameters
 SLS – deflection and nodal displacement check
How to define design parameters
 Saving defined Member type definitions for use in next projects
How to define design parameters
 Configuration dialog – number of verification points
How to define design parameters
 Configuration dialog – excluding some internal forces from 
design
How to define design parameters
 Finding best matching section  ‐ code group definition
How to define design parameters
 Finding best matching section  ‐ settings of limits and 
optimization criteria
How to manage the results
 Finding which elements failed
Common errors
 Empty list of members in the Definitions dialog
Common errors
 SLS limits set as inactive
Common errors
 Component bars of a “superbar” should be defined in the same 
direction
Useful tips:
 Instability reported during verification is caused by exceeded slenderness 
limit
Useful tips:
 The results are shown in the location where the maximal ratio has been found 
but it is possible to force the verification in the selected point
Useful tips:
 Define buckling lengths by coefficients rather than by changing bar’s length
Useful tips:
 Use the correct family of angles (P = principal set of axes) 
Useful tips:
 Design of pipes against bending
Useful tips:
 Remember to assign section type and enter required geometrical 
data for user defined profiles  
Useful tips:
When section type is left as “?” the verification is done as for a solid 
ectangular profile which determines both verification formulas and 
erification points
ttp://knowledge.autodesk.com

Articles for covered topics:

 http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/robot-structural-analysis-products/learn-
explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2015/ENU/Robot/files/GUID-13B611CB-
0D28-499B-A331-693BF64C3EF6-htm.html
 http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/robot-structural-analysis-products/learn-
explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2015/ENU/Robot/files/GUID-0FAD8DB0-
AB28-4271-A99F-0842CAE16017-htm.html
 http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/robot-structural-analysis-
products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/ROBOT-STEEL-DESIGN-
which-is-the-top-flange-for-lateral-buckling-verification.html
 http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/robot-structural-analysis-
products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/ROBOT-Steel-design-
Fire-verification-design.html
 http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/robot-structural-analysis-
products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/ROBOT-STEEL-DESIGN-
how-design-user-defined-thin-walled-section.html
ttp://knowledge.autodesk.com

Articles for covered topics:

 http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/robot-structural-analysis-
products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/ROBOT-STEEL-DESIGN-
how-design-user-defined-thin-walled-section.html
 http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/robot-structural-analysis-products/learn-
explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2015/ENU/Robot/files/GUID-7BE43F09-40C5-
4D34-AE87-99652EDF227E-htm.html

Troubleshooting Articles – this is a new page focused around your most 
common troubleshooting problems:
http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/robot‐structural‐analysis‐
products/troubleshooting#?sort=score
Questions ?

ase feel free to ask questions using « GoToMeeting » Questions tab now

may not be able to answer all questions during the webinar. Please post them on the 
 Next webinar session on 20/05/2015 for the following topic : 

C Design: workflows for beams, columns and foundations for columns 
design