Know the Advantages of ETABS Over Other Structural Designing Tools

A 3D modelling programme, ETABS, is used for all structural analysis and design types. You can build both RC Structures and Steel Structures with this application. The ETABS software for 3D modelling has a host of significant benefits.

Why do Most Structural Design Engineers learn ETABS?

Using ETABS, one can rapidly give life to your idea and visualise it through 3D designs. It improves the capacity of the construction system to learn geometry.

In ETABS, models are created, and results are reported at the object level. It enables the designer to focus on macroeconomic performance objectives.

Simple lateral operations, Response Spectrum Analysis, Push-over analysis, and Response History Analysis are all things the ETABS application can handle. The data output options in this system encourage lateral designing aspects more.

Large-scale seismic projects, especially non-linear modelling, can be managed using ETABS.

What is the Difference between SAP2000 and ETABS?

ETABS and SAP2000 vary primarily because the former is special-purpose software while the latter is general-purpose.

Software with a specific purpose, such as ETABS, provides all the tools required to develop systems and aids in the geometry formation of those.

However, SAP2000 is general, allowing you to model any geometry, analyse, and design.

We'll explain how we now use both of these products. Doing so will highlight each application’s top qualities to shine.

 SAP2000 software uses:

• SAP2000 is mainly used for designing and analysing gravity systems.
• Smaller buildings or parts of more giant constructions are frequently planned using this tool.
• It handles complex geometry by giving users access to various element types and meshing choices.
• Additionally, it can simplify seismic design processes and wind analyses. For story drift, story shear, base shear, etc., extra data post-processing will be required to obtain the necessary results.

However, it doesn't discretise the structure into macroscopic elements with the same ease as ETABS.

ETABS software uses:

• Large-scale seismic (or wind) projects, including non-linear modelling, are handled right by this programme.
• It makes modelling the entire structure more accessible, allowing the designer to concentrate on macroscopic performance goals.
• Simplified lateral procedures, Push-over analysis, Response Spectrum Analysis, and Response History Analysis may all be easily handled by this system.
• The data output options greatly favour lateral design.

midas Gen Vs ETABS

midas Gen, a Building Information Modelling (BIM) system, enables businesses to evaluate and create large building structures. It enables experts to configure workflows, track several construction projects, and visualise architectural and building models.

Whereas multi-story building analysis and design services can be executed by the engineering software program ETABS. The grid-like geometry specific to this form of construction is considered through modelling tools and templates, code-based load prescriptions, analysis techniques, and solution approaches.

It allows designers to communicate with clients, examine building plans, and distribute project files among team members. This application offers many functions, including safe data storage, teamwork, analytics, task management, document tracking, and more.

What are the Advantages of ETABS over other Open Source Applications Performing Reinforced Concrete Designs?

For simple and quick model building for any structure, ETABS permits user input and graphic changes. Making a 3D model is simple when plan views and elevations are used, which is true for any complicated structure.

We have listed some standard conveniences reported by professionals who rely on ETABS for 3D modelling.

• Model editing is pretty simple. Any item can be moved from one spot to another, combined with other objects using the merge command, made similar using the mirror command, and copied in the same or different story levels.
• One may accurately draw an object using the snap command, which has end, perpendicular, and centre parameters.
• Any item, such as a beam, column, slab, wall, etc., can be quickly created with just one mouse click.
• In the ETABS application, there is simple window switching among several views. With this function, you can design or change your model while viewing it in real time.
• It is simple to create your model and edit it thanks to the 3D view's various zoom options and panning command, which allows you to move the entire model quickly and without rotating it.
• The 3D model has various view options, including a plan view, any side elevation view, and even a view that the modeller customises.
• Through a section designer, every type of shape and material can have its sectional dimensions graphically inserted. This curriculum offers almost every shape for different members.
• Different working aspects can take advantage of the model geometry's exporting functionality to .dxf files.
• Make use of EC-Praxis 3J connection; this enables analysis and design for steel structure connections easier.
• It is now simple to consider the self-weight of different members even when the size is altered thanks to automatic consideration of material self-weight.
• Also, the software is far faster to automatically create earthquake and wind loads than to manually calculate and assign them to a 3D model.
• You do not need to define each load combination separately; this automates compliance with your defined building code and saves you time.

To learn how to develop your designs using ETABS, check our Skill-Lync’s PG Program for civil engineers. 

Conclusion 

Drawing a plan in CAD and importing it into ETABS is relatively simple because ETABS is compatible with numerous CAD formats, including AutoCAD. 

Additionally, you can choose which layers from AutoCAD you want to import by downloading them separately from ETABS. The ETABS model can be imported into AutoCAD in the same way. If we create designs with plugins and tools like CSI Detailer or CSI XCAD, this will be more beneficial.