If there are any results displayed, switch them off by clicking the
button on the toolbar. Click the
button to set the axonometric view.
For a better view, select the Wireframe Model option that you can access by clicking the
button on the toolbar.
To select the two columns, draw a window from right to left across them. Do not capture any other members within.
Double-click one of the selected columns to open the 'Edit Member' dialog box. On the first tab, the 'Design properties' are enabled so that additional tabs are available to control the settings.
Effective Lengths
Select the Design Types tab.
Next to the 'Effective lengths' line, click the
button to create a new length type. The 'New Effective Lengths' dialog box opens.
The default settings look appropriate for this tutorial and therefore no changes need to be made.
To check the column axes, use the
button in bottom part of the right area. The real view of the model is displayed.
Select the Nodal Supports & Effective Lengths tab next.
Supports are set at both member ends by default. The preset type is laterally fixed with a torsional restraint about the longitudinal axis, yet free to warp.
In the 'Effective Length Factors' area, the factors are set as 1.0. They represent a hinged-hinged model concerning buckling. One might consider the elasticity of the column heads by increasing the buckling length factors, but assuming fixed supports is adequate for the tutorial.
Click OK to close the dialog box and return to the 'Edit Members' dialog box.
Design Configuration
Finally, select the Design Configurations tab. The 'Default' strength configuration is preset (see the image). It would be possible to define a new configuration and apply it only to the columns, but this is not required for the tutorial.
Click OK to assign the effective lengths and close the 'Edit Members' dialog box.