SECTION WIZARD 1

Section Wizard is a suite of proprietary computer programs of Research

Engineers. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these
programs, Research Engineers will not accept any responsibility for any mistake,
error or misrepresentation in or as a result of usage of these programs.

Release 1.0

Copyright
Research Engineers
Published December, 2000
2 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

Contents

INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................4
GETTING STARTED ............................................................................................................4
PROGRAM INSTALLATION .................................................................................................4
INSTALLING SECURITY SYSTEM .......................................................................................5
SECTION WIZARD OVERVIEW ..................................................................6
MODULE LINKS ..................................................................................................................6
CO-ORDINATE SYSTEM .....................................................................................................7
SECTION BUILDER......................................................................................8
OVERVIEW ...........................................................................................................................8
Main Section Builder Window...........................................................................................8
Section Element Dialog .....................................................................................................9
ORIENTATION OF ELEMENTS ........................................................................................11
MENUS ................................................................................................................................12
File Menu........................................................................................................................12
Edit Menu ......................................................................................................................13
Settings Menu..................................................................................................................14
Tools Menu .....................................................................................................................16
Help Menu......................................................................................................................17
TOOLBAR............................................................................................................................17
FREE SKETCH............................................................................................. 18
OVERVIEW .........................................................................................................................18
MENUS ................................................................................................................................19
File Menu........................................................................................................................19
Edit Menu ......................................................................................................................21
Settings Menu..................................................................................................................23
Tools Menu .....................................................................................................................24
Help Menu......................................................................................................................25
TOOLBAR............................................................................................................................25
EQUIVALENT SECTION ........................................................................... 26
OVERVIEW .........................................................................................................................26
TOOLBAR............................................................................................................................27
 SECTION WIZARD 3

ADDITIONAL MODULES .......................................................................... 29

FORMULA CALCULATOR..................................................................................................29
UNIT CONVERTER ............................................................................................................30
APPENDIX 1: SECTION DATABASES....................................................... 31
ARBED ................................................................................................................................31
ASTM .................................................................................................................................31
BRITISH STANDARD SECTIONS ......................................................................................32
DIN.....................................................................................................................................32
OVERSEAS SECTIONS .......................................................................................................32
4 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

I NTRODUCTION
The Section Wizard is a general engineering tool that allows users to define sections
with a variety of tools, calculate the section properties and stresses under a given
loading regime.
The program is a collection of three primary modules and a number of auxiliary
programs to aid the user.

GETTING STARTED
There are three stages to using Section Wizard efficiently. First, the program
must be installed onto the computer. Second, a suitable security system must be
installed and operating correctly. Thirdly, run through the Tutorials described in the
online help files.

PROGRAM INSTALLATION
The program is supplied on a CD ROM and with a security device that is either
designed for a local standalone installation or a network server installation. Please
check which version you have prior to starting your installation. Also check what
type of device you have, such as Hasp or Sentry, this information will be needed
during the installation process.
For local standalone versions, the security device will need to be connected to
the parallel port of your computer and the correct device driver installed.
For network server installations, the security device should be connected to a
computer that will be acting as a license server and is running an appropriate license
manager software prior to starting this installation.
Start the installation by running SETUP.EXE on the CD ROM and following
the instructions presented.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR INSTALLATIONS ON WINDOWS NT

The installation requires information to be written to the registry and may
require device drivers for your security system to be installed. Both of these
functions require the installer to have suitable administrative privileges. Please check
with your network administrator that you have these rights prior to starting the
installation.
 SECTION WIZARD 5

INSTALLING SECURITY SYSTEM

To prevent illegal use, the program is secured to be used with a suitably
programmed security device. The installation will give you the option to choose to
install device drivers for your given security device.
Installations of device drivers may require your computer to be restarted before
you can use the program.
If your security system fails check the following:-
1) Check that you selected the correct security system when you installed the
software. Solution - Reinstall the software selecting the correct option
during the installation.
2) Check that the security device is securely attached to the parallel port.
Solution - Remove all other devices that are connected to the parallel port
such as other dongles and printers and try again.
3) Check that the device drivers are installed and operating correctly.
Solution - Use the Check Security application to check for the security
device.
4) Check that the security device is secured for Section Wizard.
Solution -Use the Check Security application to see what applications are
available for use with your system. If it has not been secured for Section
Wizard, contact your Research Engineers software provider.
5) If you still have a problem after checking the above, contact Research
Engineers technical support.
6 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

S ECTION W IZARD O VERVIEW

The three main modules of Section Wizard are Section Builder, Free Sketch and
Equivalent Section. Each module provides a range of functions that allow for a
comprehensive range of problems to be solved. The primary features of each
module can be summarised thus:-
Section Builder: Composite sections are constructed by selecting and
combining sections from a comprehensive library of shapes from a wide range of
countries, along with plates of any dimension. Individual sections can be utilised or
combined together to form a composite section. The geometric properties are
calculated and a stress pattern developed under a given load regime.
Free Sketch: This module calculates the geometric properties of any general
section defined by an external boundary. Holes within the section can be
accommodated. Also, a stress pattern on the section can be displayed when it is
subjected to a given loading regime.
Equivalent Section: This module will calculate the dimensions of one of 5
types of section to best fit a given set of properties of area, inertias and elastic
moduli.

MODULE LINKS
Each module is independent and can standalone in it's own right, but it is
possible to send data to and from the Equivalent Section to either of the other two
modules, thus:-

Section Free
Builder Sketch

Equivalent
Section
 SECTION WIZARD 7

CO-ORDINATE SYSTEM
All modules use a right handed co-ordinate system. There are two axes systems
that are utilised by Section Wizard, the geometric axes which are used to define the
section and the principal axes of the section under consideration.
The geometric axes use the labels X, Y and Z. The cross sections that are being
considered are defined such that the X axis is along the beam and would thus extend
into the screen. The section is therefore in the Y- Z plane, with the Y axis
horizontal extending positive from left to right and the Z axis is vertical extending
positive from bottom to top.
The principal axes use the labels U and V. The U axis is normally the sections
major axis and the V axis is the sections weaker axis.
8 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

S ECTION B UILDER
OVERVIEW
The Section Builder module is used to calculate the properties of sections built
up from an arrangement of cross sections taken from a number of standard tables.
This module is composed of two windows. The main Section Builder window, which
displays the composite section along with a number of tools to manipulate the
sections and the Section Element dialog box which is used to select the sections to be
used and method of locating them onto the current overall section.

Section Element Dialog box Main Section Builder Window

MAIN SECTION BUILDER WINDOW

The main Section Builder window displays the current composite section. All
of the primary commands are activated through the menus along the top of the
window. There is also a status bar along the bottom of the window which displays
the overall dimensions of the composite section and the location of the cursor when
it lies over the main workspace. Additionally a dimension value will be displayed in
the status bar by clicking and dragging the mouse across the window.
Sections created in the Section Dialog box can be located onto a composite
section relative to the nodes of the 'current section.' A section is made into the current
section simply by clicking on it so that it is shown in yellow. Note how the nodes of
 SECTION WIZARD 9

the current section are identified as potential locating points for the addition of new
sections.

SECTION ELEMENT DIALOG

The Section Element Dialog box is the tool that is used for adding sections into
the Main Section Builder window.
The dialog box essentially falls into three parts.

1) The top section is used for

selecting the section to be added
and orientating it as required.

2) The centre section is used to

determine how this section is to fit
into the composite section.

3) The bottom section is the

Assembly History table. This
shows each individual section that
has been added into the
composite section and how.

Each part of the Dialog box is described below.

SECTION WINDOW
This displays a graphic of the selected section. It displays all the node reference
points that can be referred to when locating it onto the composite section. See
Orientation of Elements to see these reference points for all the section types
considered by Section Builder.
10 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

ZOOM IN / OUT

These buttons can be used to increase / decrease magnification on the Section

window.

SELECT PROFILE
This launches the 'Select Element' dialog. From here a section can be selected
from a standard database or a flat plate of any dimension.

SECTION INFORMATION
This displays a popup window with dimensions of the chosen section.

SECTION OPERATIONS
The selected section can be rotated and unsymmetrical sections mirrored prior
to being added into the final composite section.

ASSEMBLING OPTIONS
This determines how the chosen section is locating into the final composite
section. There are three methods for locating the chosen section:-
1) Join Node. Select the node number on the chosen section and the node
number on the selected section, both these are highlighted.
2) Set Node. Give an absolute location for a selected node on the chosen
section to be located on the composite section.
3) Join Line. Select a line defined by two nodes on the chosen section to
align with a line on the selected section with an additional offset if required.

The chosen section is then added onto the composite section by clicking on the
Add button.

HISTORY TABLE
This shows each of the sections that constitute the composite section with any
rotation and mirror options that have been used in their definition. Clicking on a
section in this list will make it the Current Section.
 SECTION WIZARD 11

ORIENTATION OF ELEMENTS
The following diagram displays the node locations for the various section types
that are available in the section databases. Each section has a basic node which is the
location about which rotations occur.

a) Angles (basic node 1) b) I-sections (basic node 10)

c) Channels (basic node 1) d) CHS

(basic node 1)

e) Plate (basic node 1) f) Tee Section (basic node 1) g) RHS

(basic node 1)
12 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

MENUS
The Section Builder module has five menus of commands that have the
following functions along with it's toolbar shortcut icon:-

FILE MENU
NEW
This starts a new section design. If the currently loaded section has been
modified, then the option is given to save it prior to comencing with the
new design.

OPEN
This launches the open file dialog box. If the Show Drawing option is
checked, then a preview of the section can be displayed prior to opening
the file.

SAVE
This launches the Save dialog box if the file has not previously been saved
and allows the composite section to be saved. If the file has previously
been saved, then that file is updated with the new data.

SAVE AS
No This launches the Save dialog box and allows the file to be saved with a
icon new filename whether or not it has been saved previously.

CREATE STANDARD SECTION

This launches the Standard Section dialog box which can be used to
quickly generate a composite section based on one of seven options.

PREVIEW
This displays the section as will be drawn in the report. See Report option
above.
 SECTION WIZARD 13

REPORT
This performs the calculations as in the Calculate command above, but
formats and sends the data to the Report Type option defined in the Misc.
sheet of the Preferences dialog. See Settings Menu below.

EXPORT STAAD USER TABLE

No This allows the current section data to be used to create STAAD External
icon User tables. There are two types of database that can be created , either a
Prismatic Section or a General Section. Selecting either command will ask
for a name of file to be used. If the filename chosen exists already, then
the current section will be added to the bottom of the file.

SEND
This sends the current file as an attachment to an e-mail using your e-mail
system.

RECENT FILES
No This displays the last 4 sections that have been opened. Click on the name
icon to load that file.

EXIT
No This offers the user the option to save the current composite section if it
icon has been modified since it was last saved and then closes the Section
Wizard program.

EDIT MENU
UNDO
This undoes the last modification that has been made. The program
supports multiple undo.

DELETE
This removes the currently selected section from the composite section.
14 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

SHIFT, ROTATE ELEMENT

This offers the user options to displace the currently selected section by a
relative dimension or rotation about it's basic node. See section
Orientation of Elements for the basic node of each section type used by
Section Builder.

SHIFT CO-ORDINATE CENTRE

This option is used to relocate the origin of the geometric axes relative to
the composite section. There are three options:-
1) Set it to the current centre of gravity
2) Set it to a given node on the current section.
3) Set it to a given Y, Z co-ordinate.

COPY ELEMENT
Offset dimensions in the Y and Z axes and a number of times the section
is to be copied is used to generate 1 or more copies of the selected section.

SETTINGS MENU
PREFERENCES
This opens the Program Settings dialog box. This has four tabs which
cover the following options:-
1) Units. Select the units for angles, section dimensions, section
properties, axial forces and moments, as well as the number of decimal
places and whether or not to use an exponential form.
2) Databases. Select the range of databases that are referred to by the
program. See Appendix 2: Section Databases for a current list of available
database sections.
3) Miscellaneous. Select the language, Report settings such as the template
document, whether the documents should use Word 7 or Word 97 file
formats, the paper size and font. Set whether documents should be sent
direct to the printer or into Word for editing. Additional options
determine the number of vertices to created by a circle, option to snap to
grid and whether the ends of vertices are indicated by a circle or not.
Stress Scale. This sets the colours of the maximum compression and tension
stresses and the colour these grade to for zero stress, along with the
number of bands to be displayed
 SECTION WIZARD 15

GRID SETTINGS
This sets the spacing of the grid that is displayed if the Grid option is
toggled on.

GRID
This toggles whether the grid is displayed or not.

CO-ORDINATE AXES
This toggles whether the co-ordinate axes is displayed or not.

PRINCIPAL AXES
This toggles whether the principal axes is displayed or not.

CENTRE OF GRAVITY
This toggles whether an icon that shows the location of the centre of
gravity is displayed or not.

ZOOM IN
Increases the scale of the diagram.

ZOOM OUT
Decreases the scale of the diagram.
16 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

TOOLS MENU
CALCULATE
This performs the calculations to establish the section profile information
and presents the results in a dialog box. The values are calculated using the
methods described in Appendix 1: Definitions of Geometric Properties.
To change the units see the Preferences option in the Settings Menu. To
print the values, see the Report option in the File Menu.

STRESS CONTOUR
Displays a graded colour pattern over the composite section based on a
loading regime of axial load and moments about the principal axes.
Extreme positive and negative values are displayed on the diagram. The
stress at any location on the section is displayed on the status bar as the
cursor hovers over that location. By clicking on the section an additional
label of the stress at that location is also added.

FREE SKETCH
This launches the Free Sketch module of Section Wizard and closes the
Section Builder module.

FIND EQUIVALENT SECTION

This launches the Equivalent Section module and passes it the current
composite section data.

FORMULA CALCULATOR
This launches the Section Wizard, Formula Calculator module. See the
section Additional Modules for more information on this module.

WINDOWS CALCULATOR
This launches the Microsoft Windows calculator.

UNIT CONVERTER
This launches the Section Wizard, Unit Converter module. See the section
Additional Modules for more information on this module.
 SECTION WIZARD 17

HELP MENU
HELP TOPICS
This launches the Section Wizard help document.

HOW TO USE HELP

This launches the Windows general help document.

ABOUT SECTION BUILDER

This displays a dialog that gives information about the version of Section
Builder that is being used.

TOOLBAR
There is a toolbar is fixed to the top of the Main Section Builder Window that
provides a shortcut to a number of the most commonly used commands in the
Section Builder module. See the menu items above to see the commands that each
icon provide a shortcut to.
18 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

F REE S KETCH
OVERVIEW
The Free Sketch module allows the user to create sections with an outer
boundary of any shape with a number of internal openings if required.

The scope of the section is determined by first setting the overall dimensions of
the workspace to extend to at least the maximum dimensions of the section that is
to be considered. A grid is then placed within this workspace, which if selected in
the options, can be snapped to in order to accurately locate the co-ordinates of the
boundary nodes.
An outer boundary can now be defined by selecting the option from the Edit
menu or the toolbar. Click around the grid to define the boundary with a double
click on the final node to complete the boundary definition. To move a defined
boundary point, click on it and double click on it's new location. New nodes can be
introduced into vertices between nodes by clicking on the boundary line and double
clicking on a new location.
Holes can be placed into the body of the section by selecting an option from
the edit menu or from the toolbar.
The outer boundary and any non-circular internal boundary can be re-defined
by selecting the Vertices command from the Edit menu and entering the required
co-ordinates into the table.
 SECTION WIZARD 19

Free Sketch data files can saved in either one of two formats. <filename>.CNS
is a binary file format which is the most compact and preferred way to store files.
Alternatively, files can be stored as <filename>.CON, stores the file in an ASCII
format which can be opened and edited by any text editor, such as Windows
Notepad.

MENUS
The Free Sketch Module has five menus of commands that have the following
functions:-

FILE MENU
NEW
This starts a new section design. If the currently loaded section has been
modified, then the option is given to save it prior to comencing with the
new design.

OPEN
This launches the open file dialog box. If the Preview option is checked,
then a preview of the file will be displayed prior to opening it.

SAVE
This launches the Save dialog box if the file has not previously been saved
and allows the composite section to be saved. If the file has previously
been saved, then that file is updated with the new data. Note that a Free
Sketch file can be saved in one of two formats *.CNS and *.CON. See the
section on Free Sketch Overview for more information on filetypes.

SAVE AS
No This launches the Save dialog box and allows the file to be saved with a
icon new filename whether or not it has been saved previously.

CLOSE
No This closes the current section and leaves Free Sketch ready to start a new
icon file or open an existing file.
20 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

PARAMETRIC SECTIONS
This launches the Parametric Section dialog box that allows sections to
created quickly based on a section type (18 different types currently
available) and a number of key dimensions.

REPORT
This performs the calculations as in the Calculate command below, but
formats and sends the data to the Report Type option defined in the Misc.
sheet of the Preferences dialog. See Settings Menu below.

IMPORT DXF / DWG

No This command imports cad files in the AutoCAD *.DWG or more general
icon *.DXF file format. The following entity types are supported:-
• 3DFACE
• SOLID
• TRACE
• LINE
• POLYLINE
• LWPOLYLINE
• ELLIPSE
• CIRCLE
• ARC
Note that files that are to be imported are such that all the vertices are in a
single plane and form closed areas.

EXPORT STAAD USER TABLE

No This allows the current section data to be used to create STAAD External
icon User tables. There are two types of database that can be created, either a
Prismatic Section or a General Section. Selecting either command will ask
for a name of file to be used. If the filename chosen exists already, then
the current section will be added to the bottom of the file.

SEND
This sends the current file as an attachment to an e-mail using your e-mail
system.
 SECTION WIZARD 21

RECENT FILES
No This displays the last 4 sections that have been opened. Click on the name
icon to load that file.

EXIT
No This displays the last 4 sections that have been opened. Click on the name
icon to load that file.

EDIT MENU
UNDO
This undoes the last modification that has been made. The program
supports multiple undo.

OVERALL DIMENSIONS
This specifies the size of the workspace that will be required to create the
section. The minimum it should be set to is the overall dimensions of the
section, but can be set larger.

EXTERNAL BOUNDARY
This option is used for drawing the outer boundary of the section.
Clicking in the workspace will create a node on the boundary. If a grid has
been defined and the 'Snap To' option set in the Preferences, then the
nodes will snap to the nearest grid intersection.

CIRCULAR EXTERNAL BOUNDARY

No This will create a circular external contour with a specific radius. This
icon option is only available before an external boundary has been defined.

POLYGON HOLE
This command is used for creating internal openings within an external
boundary. Clicking inside the boundary creates a node on the contour.
Double clicking on the last node will complete the boundary.

CREATE CIRCULAR HOLE

This command is used to create a circular hole within the external
boundary by clicking once to define the centre of the hole and double
clicking on a point on the circumference of the hole.
22 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

CREATE CIRCULAR HOLE WITH FIXED RADIUS

This command is used to create a circular hole within the external
boundary by defining it's radius and clicking to define the centre of the
hole. Multiple holes with the same radius can be defined by repeatedly
clicking within the same boundary.

DELETE HOLE
This command is used to delete any hole by clicking within the hole.

FILLET
This command is used to convert sharp corners to smoothed corners by
defining a radius which is fitted into the corner. This command can be
used on both the external boundary and any non-circular internal holes.

MOVE
This command is used for graphically relocating nodes that define the
section. Once selected, click twice on the workspace to define a
rectangular selection window. All the nodes that occur within that window
become selected. Click within that selection rectangle and drag it to a new
location and click to complete the relocation.
Note that Circular holes are selected if the selection window passes
through the centre of the hole.

NODE COORDINATES
This command opens the Co-ordinates dialog box. This displays the Y and
Z values for each co-ordinate that is used to define the outer boundary and
any non circular internal holes. Modifications can be made to the values in
the table and applied to the section by clicking on the Apply button.

COORDINATES ORIGIN
This command relocates the origin of the geometric axes. Either
specific values for the Y and Z offset can be given, or it can automatically
be set to the centre of gravity by clicking on the 'Shift' button.
Note that the origin must remain within the overall dimensions of the
workspace.
 SECTION WIZARD 23

SETTINGS MENU
PREFERENCES
This opens the Program Settings dialog box. This has three tabs which
cover the following options:-
1) Units. Select the units for angles, section dimensions, section
properties, axial forces and moments, as well as the number of decimal
places and whether or not to use an exponential form.
2) Miscellaneous. Select the language, Report settings such as the template
document, whether the documents should use Word 7 or Word 97 file
formats, the paper size and font. Set whether documents should be sent
direct to the printer or into Word for editing. Additional options
determine the number of vertices to created by a circle, option to snap to
grid and whether the ends of vertices are indicated by a circle or not.
3) Stress Scale. This sets the colours of the maximum compression and
tension stresses and the colour these grade to for zero stress, along with
the number of bands to be displayed

GRID SETTINGS
This sets the spacing of the grid in the Y and Z directions and can include
an angle of rotation if required.

GRID
This option toggles between turning the grid from being displayed or not.

CO-ORDINATE AXES
This toggles whether the co-ordinate axes is displayed or not.

PRINCIPLE AXES
This toggles whether the principal axes is displayed or not.

CENTRE OF GRAVITY
This toggles whether an icon that shows the location of the centre of
gravity is displayed or not.
24 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

SHEAR CENTRE
This toggles whether an icon that shows the location of the shear centre is
displayed or not.

ZOOM IN
Increases the scale of the diagram.

ZOOM OUT
Decreases the scale of the diagram.

TOOLS MENU
CALCULATE
This performs the calculations to establish the section profile information
and presents the results in a dialog box. The values are calculated using the
methods described in Appendix 1: Definitions of Geometric Properties.
To change the units see the Preferences option in the Settings Menu. To
print the values, see the Report option in the File Menu.

STRESS CONTOUR
Displays a graded colour pattern over the composite section based on a
loading regime of axial load and moments about the principal axes.
Extreme positive and negative values are displayed on the diagram. The
stress at any location on the section is displayed on the status bar as the
cursor hovers over that location. By clicking on the section an additional
label of the stress at that location is also added.

SECTION BUILDER
This launches the Section Builder module of Section Wizard and closes the
Free Sketch module.

FIND EQUIVALENT SECTION

This launches the Equivalent Section module and passes it the current
section data.
 SECTION WIZARD 25

FORMULA CALCULATOR
This launches the Section Wizard, Formula Calculator module. See the
section Additional Modules for more information on this module.

WINDOWS CALCULATOR
This launches the Microsoft Windows calculator.

UNIT CONVERTER
This launches the Section Wizard, Unit Converter module. See the section
Additional Modules for more information on this module.

HELP MENU
HELP TOPICS
This launches the Section Wizard help document.

HOW TO USE HELP

This launches the Windows general help document.

ABOUT FREE SKETCH

This displays a dialog that gives information about the version of Free
Sketch that is being used.

TOOLBAR
There is a toolbar is fixed to the top of the Free Sketch Window that provides a
shortcut to a number of the most commonly used commands in the Free Sketch
module. See the menu items above to see the commands that each icon provide a
shortcut to.
26 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

E QUIVALENT S ECTION
OVERVIEW
As the name suggests, the Equivalent Section module finds a best fit solution
from the table of values of area, inertia and elastic moduli. The data can either be
entered directly into the table, or generated from the Section Builder or Free Sketch
modules, or from the Standard Section toolbar command.

The Equivalent Section module then finds the best fit on one of the following 5
section types:-

1) I Section, with independent dimensions for the top and bottom flanges
2) Rectangular Hollow Section, with separate dimensions for the side walls
and the top and bottom flanges.
3) I Section, with the same sizes for the top and bottom flanges.
4) Rectangular Hollow Section, with the same thickness for the flanges and
the side walls.
5) Channel Section.

Each of the values can be weighted for importance by setting a bias for that
value. The larger the bias, the more the program will attempt to match that value
rather than any of the others.
 SECTION WIZARD 27

TOOLBAR
The commands for Equivalent Section are access from the icons on the toolbar
that runs along the top of the program window. These commands are as follows:-
OPEN
This launches the open file dialog box. If the Preview option is checked,
then a preview of the section can be displayed prior to opening the file.
Either Section Builder *.SEC files or Free Sketch *.CNS files can be
opened.

SAVE
This launches the Save dialog box if the file has not previously been saved
and allows the Equivalent Section, section to be saved. If the file has
previously been saved, then that file is updated with the new data. Files are
saved in the Section Builder *.SEC format.

REPORT
Once an equivalent section has been 'found', the data displayed in the table
and a dimensioned drawing will be sent to a report formatted to the
Report Type option defined in the Misc. sheet of the Program Preferences
dialog. See Preferences below.

CREATE STANDARD SECTION

This launches the Standard Section dialog box which can be used to
quickly generate a composite section based on one of seven options. This
is the same option that is available in the Section Builder module.
28 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

PREFERENCES
This opens the Preferences dialog box. This has three tabs which cover
the following options:-
1) Units. Select the units for angles, section dimensions, section
properties, axial forces and moments, as well as the number of decimal
places and whether or not to use an exponential form.
2) Databases. Select the range of databases that are referred to by the
program. See Appendix 2: Section Databases for a current list of available
database sections.
3) Miscellaneous. Select the language, Report settings such as the
template document, whether the documents should use Word 7 or Word
97 file formats, the paper size and font. Set whether documents should be
sent direct to the printer or into Word for editing. Additional options
determine the number of vertices to created by a circle, option to snap to
grid and whether the ends of vertices are indicated by a circle or not.

LAUNCH SECTION BUILDER MODULE

This launches the Section Builder module of Section Wizard and creates
section based on the section that was 'found'.

LAUNCH FREE SKETCH MODULE

This launches the Free Sketch module of Section Wizard and creates
section based on the section that was 'found'.

EXPORT STAAD USER DATABASE

This allows the current section data to be used to create STAAD External
User tables. There are two types of database that can be created, either a
Prismatic Section or a General Section. Selecting either command will ask
for a name of file to be used. If the filename chosen exists already, then
the current section will be added to the bottom of the file.
 SECTION WIZARD 29

A DDITIONAL M ODULES
There are two other modules that are supplied with Section Wizard. As with the
three primary modules, these modules can also be used as standalone programs in
their own right.

FORMULA CALCULATOR
The Formula Calculator provides users with a simple tool to solve equations
that can contain up to three variables, X, Y and Z

To use variables in the equation, ensure that the Variables button is depressed
and enter the value for the variable in the required cell. To solve the equation click
on the Calculate button.

Note also that once defined, a function can be differentiated with respect to
one of the variables by clicking on the appropriate button, df/dx, df/dy or df/dz.
Consider the partial differentiation of the following equation:-
f = 2 * ( sin( x + 2 ) )+y^2

df/dx = 2 * cos( x + 2 )

df/dy = 2*y

Click on the Copy button to copy the result of the equation to the clipboard so
that it can be pasted into other Section Wizard modules or other MS Windows
applications.
30 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

The Formula Calculator supports use of the operators:- +, -, *, /, ( , ), and ^.

The Formula Calculator supports use of the following functions:-

floor — the greatest whole number not exceeding the given one;
tan — tangent;
sin — sine;
cos — cosine;
asin — antisine;
acos — anticosine;
atan — antitangent;
exp — exponent;
ceil — the least whole number exceeding the given one;
tanh — hyperbolic tangent;
sinh — hyperbolic sine;
cosh — hyperbolic cosine;
log — natural logarithm;
log10 — common logarithm;
abs — absolute value;
sqrt — square root.

UNIT CONVERTER
The Unit Converter module provides the user with a tool to quickly convert
values in one unit to another quickly.
There are conversion sheets for Length, Area, Volume, Force, Angle, Pressure
and Moment. To operate the converter, simply enter the known value in the
appropriate cell and press the 'Enter' key on the keyboard for the values in all the
other cells to be calculated.
 SECTION WIZARD 31

A PPENDIX 1: S ECTION D ATABASES

Section Wizard is supplied with 5 databases from a number of sources. The sections
that are available in each of these databases are as follows:-

ARBED
Equal Angles Euronorm 56-77
Unequal Angles Euronorm 57-78
European I-beams (IPE)
European standard beams (IPN)
European wide flange beams (HE)
European wide flange beams (HL)
Wide flange columns (HD)
Wide flange bearing piles (HP)
American wide flange beams (W)
British universal beams (UB)
British universal columns (UC)
Channels with parallel flanges
European standard channels

ASTM
Equal Angles
Unequal Angles
H-Piles
Miscellaneous Shapes
American Standard Shapes
Wide Flange Shapes
Miscellaneous Tees
American Standard Tees
Wide Flange Tees
American Standard Channels
Miscellaneous Channels
Pipe
Extra Strong Pipe
Double-Extra Strong Pipe
Tube Steel (Square)
Tube Steel (Rectangular)
32 RESEARCH ENGINEERS

BRITISH STANDARD SECTIONS

Universal Beams
Universal Columns
Universal Bearing Piles
Rectangular Hollow Sections
Circular Hollow Sections
Square Hollow Sections
Joists
Equal Angles
Unequal Angles
Channels
Structural Tees cut from UB's
Structural Tees cut from UC's

DIN
Equal Angles DIN 1028
Unequal Angles DIN 1029
Beam DIN 1025
IP DIN 1025
IP DIN 1025 (9%)
Channels DIN 1026
Circular Hollow Sections DIN 2448
Rectangular Hollow Sections DIN 59410
Square Hollow Sections DIN 59410

OVERSEAS SECTIONS
ASTM W Shapes (Universal beams and columns)
IPE Shapes (European universal beams)
HE Shapes (European universal beams and columns)
Rectangular Hollow Sections
Circular Hollow Sections
Square Hollow Sections
Section Wizard Tutorial 1

Section Wizard Tutorial

Section Wizard Tutorial 2

CONTENTS
Section Wizard Tutorial.................................................................................................1

Overview ......................................................................................................................3

Section Builder Tutorial ...............................................................................................4

The section:-.............................................................................................................4

The loading:- ............................................................................................................4

Section Builder Tutorial - Steps ...................................................................................5

Free Sketch Tutorial ...................................................................................................13

The section:-...........................................................................................................13

The loading:- ..........................................................................................................13

Free Sketch Tutorial - Steps .......................................................................................14

Equivalent Section Tutorial........................................................................................20

Section Wizard Tutorial 3

OVERVIEW
This help file contains a series of tutorials to help you become familiar with the use
of the main Section Wizard modules.

There are tutorials for three main modules, select one to view:-

Section Builder Create sections using standard shapes.

Free Sketch Create sections using a drawn geometry.

Equivalent Section (No tutorial in this version)

Note that the files used in these examples are installed in an Examples folder in your
application installation folder.
Section Wizard Tutorial 4

SECTION BUILDER TUTORIAL

The following steps show a number of the facilities available in Section Builder to
create a complex composite section from profiles from standard steel suppliers and
establish the stress pattern under a given loading regime.

THE SECTION:-

THE LOADING:-
Bending about major principal axis, Mu= 200 KNm

Bending about minor principal axis, Mv = 0 kNm

Axial Load, N = 100 kN (100000 N)

Section Wizard Tutorial 5

SECTION BUILDER TUTORIAL - STEPS

1) Launch Section Builder from:-
Start>Programs>Research Engineers>Section Wizard menu.

2) If the screen contains data from a previous file, start a new file by either clicking the
icon or selecting the menu option:-
File>New

3) There are two parts to the Section Builder module:-

Section Element
Main Section Builder Window
The first step is to select a section from the Section Element window. Click on the
Select Profile button.

4) Section Builder displays a list of sections from a number of available databases.

Form the British Standard Sections, select the Circular Hollow Sections database.
From the available sections select:-
114x6.3 CHS
Click on the OK button to accept your selection.

5) This section now has to be added into the composite section.

Simply click on the Add button.

6) To add the first of the I sections onto the composite section, click on the Select
Profile button. Once again select the British Standard Sections, but this time select
the Universal Beams database. From the available list select:-
203x133x30 UB
Click on the OK button to accept your selection.
Section Wizard Tutorial 6

7) To add the I section onto the composite section the appropriate assembling method
needs to be selected. The first section to be added will be the top I section. This is
to be joined to the top of the CHS. Select the Assembling option Join Node. The
first node is from the I section. Set this to 2, noting that it is coloured red on the
preview window. The second node is from the CHS. Set this to 5, noting that it is
coloured red on the main Section Builder window. To combine the sections, click on
the Add button.
Section Wizard Tutorial 7

8) We now need to add the same section on again, but rotating it through 120 degrees.
Below the Select Profiles button, set a rotation angle of 120 degrees and click on the
Rotate button. The preview window should show:-

9) This time we need to assemble the section onto the composite section using the Set
Node option. Select this option and set the node number to 2, noting that it becomes
coloured red on the preview window. Set the co-ordinate that it is to link to as:-
Y = -49.40675
Z = -28.525
Then click on the Add button.

10)To add the final I section onto the composite section, change the rotation angle of the
selected I section to 240 degrees and click on the Rotate button.
Maintain the option to Set Node with the selected node as node number 2, but
change the co-ordinate to: :-
Y = 49.40675
Z = -28.525
Then click on the Add button.
Section Wizard Tutorial 8

11)The composite section should now look like:-

12)To add the plate sections, click on the Select Profile button. This time select the
option to define a plate. Enter the values:-
Plate Thickness 80 mm
Plate Width 390.0 mm
Material Steel

Then click on the OK button. Note that as the plate is rather thin, the node numbers
overprint. Recall that the nodes on a plate are thus:-

Rotate the plate by 240 degrees.

Section Wizard Tutorial 9

To combine this plate into the composite, in the Assembling option, select the Join
Node option. As we now have a number of sections already in our composite
section, then we need to select the section that we want to connect to. Do this by
either clicking on the lower left I section in the main Section Builder Window or in
the Section Element window click on element 2 in the list of section at the bottom of
the dialog box. Either way, the I section in the lower left corner of the composite
section should become coloured yellow and indicate the locations of it’s node points.

13)Add the plate section into the composite by setting Node 4 on the plate to combine
with Node 12 on the I section and click on the Add button. The composite section
should now look like:-

14)Rotate the plate to 0.0 degrees and add it onto the composite section by selecting
Node 1 on the plate to connect to Node 10 on the lower left I section and click on the
Add button.
Section Wizard Tutorial 10

15)For the final plate addition. Select the lower right I section using either method in
item 12 above. Rotate the plate to 120 degrees and join Node 1 on the plate with
Node 10 on the lower right I section. The final composite section should look like
this:-

16) Save the section by selecting the menu option:-

File>Save
and calling the file Tutorial 1.
Section Wizard Tutorial 11

17) To get a stress plot for the given loading regime select the menu option:-
Tools>Stress Contour
or click on the icon. Enter the following values of applied force into the dialog
box and clicking on the OK button:-

Mu = 200 kNm
Mv = 0 kNm
N = 100 kN

You should then get the following picture.

Section Wizard Tutorial 12

18) To View the values of this composite section click on the icon. This should
show you values similar to the following:-

This concludes Tutorial 1

Section Wizard Tutorial 13

FREE SKETCH TUTORIAL

The following steps show a number of the facilities available in Free Sketch to create
a complex composite section and establish the stress pattern under a given loading
regime.

THE SECTION:-

THE LOADING:-
Bending about major

principal axis Mu= 200 KNm

Bending about minor principal axis Mv = 0 kNm

Axial Load N = 100 kN

Section Wizard Tutorial 14

FREE SKETCH TUTORIAL - STEPS

1) Launch Free Sketch from:-
Start>Programs>Research Engineers>Section Wizard menu.

2) If the screen contains data from a previous file, start a new file by either clicking the
icon or selecting the menu option:-
File>New

3) Define the size of the workspace that will be required. Click on the Overall
Dimensions button and set the size to 500 mm x 500 mm

4) The next stage is to set a snapable grid of 25 mm in either direction that is aligned to
the boundary. To do this, first click on the Grid Settings button and set the Y
and Z values to 25mm and the angle to 0 degrees.

To ensure that the snap is turned on, click on the Preferences button and turn to
the Misc tab. In the group box titled ‘Other’ ensure that the option ‘Snap to Grid’ is
turned on. Click in the check box to display a tick if necessary.
Section Wizard Tutorial 15

5) To define the boundary click on the External Boundary button , then click on the
grid 2 units to the right and 2 units up from the bottom left corner of the workspace.
Continue to click around the workspace either clockwise or anti-clockwise on the
grid locations where the boundary is to change direction. Notice how the area is
defined with each additional click. To complete the boundary double click on the
last point. The screen should look somewhat like this:-

Do not worry if you have created a node in the wrong location. To edit the
boundary, simply move the cursor over the boundary outline and note when the
cursor changes to a double square. Clicking here will move the selected node to a
new location and will continue to add further nodes into the boundary until you
double click once again.
Section Wizard Tutorial 16

6) There are two types of internal boundaries that can be defined, polygonial and
circular. The polygonial holes are created similar to the external boundary, clicking
systematically either in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Form the
rectangular opening by clicking on the Polygon Hole button . Form the circular
hole by clicking on the Create Circular Hole with Fixed Radius button , set the
radius to 25mm and click on the grid intersection to give the following diagram:-

If the circular hole is located in the wrong place, click on the Delete Hole button
and click within the circle. Click on the Create Circular Hole with Fixed radius and
position it in the correct location.
Note that all boundaries are independent and whist they may touch, they must not
cross one another.
Section Wizard Tutorial 17

7) Finally to smooth the edges of the external and polygonial internal click on the
Smooth button . Set the radius to 25mm and click on the corners of the
boundaries to create the completed section:-
Section Wizard Tutorial 18

8) To get a stress plot for the given loading regime select the menu option:-
Tools>Stress Contour
or click on the icon. Enter the following values of applied force into the dialog
box and clicking on the OK button:-

Mu = 200 kNm
Mv = 1000 kNm
N = 100000 N

You should then get the following picture.

Section Wizard Tutorial 19

9) To View the values of this composite section click on the icon. Enter the
poissons ratio (nu) of 3 and click on the OK button. This should show you values
similar to the following:-

This concludes Tutorial 2.

Section Wizard Tutorial 20

EQUIVALENT SECTION TUTORIAL

This tutorial has not been included with this version of the program.