Tutorial 2 - Modify

Next, modify the drawing grid to make the addition of the next members easier. These settings allow
you to set up a grid of graphical editing points along any orthogonal plane. They also allow you to
automatically snap to the quarter or third points of existing members.

On the Drawing toolbar, click Modify Drawing Grid . Click the Snap To Options tab.
Under Member Snap Locations, select the Quarter Points and Third Points check boxes (if not
already selected).
Under Universal Snap Increments, make sure the Use Universal Increments check box is
cleared, as shown below:

Continue drawing your cold formed girts:

Click Ok to close the dialog box and begin drawing.

77
Tutorial 2 - Modify

When you move your cursor over

graphical editing points, a red dot
appears. Check the Status bar to
view the coordinate location of
each point.

Your cursor indicates that

you are in drawing mode.

Graphical editing point Status bar coordinate

display

Draw the lower girts using the drawing points defined at the quarter points of the columns.
Click the left column coordinate (21, 4.625, 30). Then click the middle column coordinate (21,
4.625, 15) and the right column coordinate (21, 4.625, 0).
When you are finished drawing, right click to release the mouse. Right click a second time to exit
the drawing mode.

Click the Toggle Rendering button twice to return to rendered view.

When you are finished your screen should look like this:

78
 Tutorial 2 - Modify

Selecting Planes
Next, you will add a floor composed of plate elements. Use Criteria Selection again to select the joints to
facilitate drawing at the 10 foot elevation. This selection option allows you to select elevations, plans, or
any block of the model.
Unselect the entire model and define the coordinate elevation as follows:

On the Selection toolbar, click Unselect All .

Also on the Selection toolbar, click Criteria Selection .

Select the Coordinates tab.
Click the Clear Selection Criteria button to clear the entries from the previous selection.
Under Coordinate Bounds, in the Y Coordinate box (in the Minimum column), type 10. Press
TAB to move to the Maximum column and type 10 again.
The dialog box should look like this:

Close the dialog box:

Click OK.

79
Tutorial 2 - Modify

Items at the 10 foot elevation are selected like this:

Drawing Plates
Next, define the floor by drawing and submeshing plates.

On the Drawing toolbar, click Draw New Plates .

In the Material Set box, select gen_Conc3NW. In the Thickness box, type 8.
The dialog box should look like this:

Close the dialog box and return to wireframe view for easier drawing.
Click Apply to close the dialog box and enter the drawing mode.

Note: The cursor changes to , indicating you are in the plate drawing mode.

Click the Toggle Rendering button once to return to wireframe view.

80
 Tutorial 2 - Modify

Now draw in the plates.

To begin, click the closest corner joint (N48) then move counter-clockwise and click the joints
(N16), (N15), and finally (N47).
Right click to exit the drawing mode.

Click the Toggle Rendering button twice to return to rendered view.

The plate appears in rendered form with its thickness shown to scale, as shown below:

Coordinate Locations:
N48: (21,10,30)
N16: (21,10,0)
N15: (0,10,0)
N47: (0,10,30)

Sub-meshing Plates
How many plate elements do you need to get accurate results? Many books have been written
addressing the topic of “mesh size.” The finite element method is an “approaching method.” This means
the more fine your mesh, the more accurate your results. See the RISA-3D General Reference for
parametric studies that demonstrate this, along with some design examples for shear walls, horizontal
diaphragms, and spread footings. Our studies have shown that, to get accurate results, you should try to
have a 4x4 mesh of plates between points of support and load concentrations.
RISA-3D provides two distinct submeshing options: Automesh and Quad Submesh.
Automesh is the most advanced of the two options. This feature allows you to draw any arbitrary
polygon and have RISA-3D fill the polygon with well-sized quadrilateral plates. The AutoMesh feature
will not be demonstrated in this tutorial; however, you are encouraged to learn more about AutoMesh
in the RISA-3D General Reference.
Quad Submesh is the simpler option. It involves creating a single plate and then replacing that plate with
a submesh of smaller plates. You will use this option to mesh the plates next.
Press CTRL+D to display the dialog box again.
Click the Quad Submesh tab.

81