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User Interface
One Window, Many Views
ETABS 2013 offers a single user interface to perform: Modeling, Analysis, Design, Detailing,
and Reporting. A new model explorer is available for quick access to objects, properties, and
forms.
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Users now have no limit on the the number of model windows and views for model manipulation and data
views.
Hardware Accelerated Graphics
Direct X graphics with hardware accelerated graphics allow for navigation of models with fly-throughs and
fast rotations.
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Modeling
Templates
ETABS 2013 has a wide selection of templates for quickly starting a new model. At this model template
stage, the user has the ability to define grid and grid spacing, the number of stories, the default structural
system sections, default slab and drop panel sections, and uniform loads (specifically dead and live loads).
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Model Views
View and manipulate analytical model with great precision. Plans and Elevation views
automatically generated at every grid line. Easily define custom views and cutting planes to
view and manipulate complex geometry with ease.
Analytical model views display the finite element model of the structure which is made up of the the
connectivity of the joints, frames, and shells and defined meshing.
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Grid Systems
In ETABS, grids can be defined as cartesian, cylindrical, or general free-form grid systems. There is no
limit to the number of grid systems in a model, and they can be rotated in any direction or placed at any
origin within the model.
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Drawing Tools
Many drawing and drafting utilities are built into ETABS to enhance the engineer's modeling
experience. Users will find that many of the common industry standard shortcuts and controls
are also available in ETABS.
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Intelligent snaps make model generation simple by automatically detecting intersections, extensions,
parallels, and perpendiculars. Drawing helper tools will show physical extrusions even when in analytical
draw mode.
Plans and Elevations
Plan and elevation views are automatically generated at every grid line to allow for quick
navigation of the model. Users can create their own elevation sections by using our
Developed Elevation feature.
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When in a 2D view, see arrow buttons to quickly move from grid line by grid line. A transparent plane will
be show in the 3D view to show you exactly which elevation or plane you are looking at in the model.
Interactive Table Data Editing
ETABS data can be viewed and edited using on-screen dockable tables. This is quite useful for defining a
model from spreadsheets or viewing analysis or design results.
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Meshing Tools
Engineers have many options when it comes to mesh generation in ETABS. Simply select the
area object and then select the rules for the automatic mesh generator to use.
Object meshing is automated based on maximum element size. The mesh will always be parallel and
perpendicular to longest edge, grid system, or area local axes and aims to maintain good element aspect
ratios.
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Building Components
Towers
Multi-tower buildings can now easily be modeled by using the new tower feature. Defining towers in an
ETABS model allows users to define unique story levels and grid systems for different building structures
within the same ETABS model. For example, ETABS models can share a podium level and then separate
into towers on higher floors.
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Beams, Columns, Braces
In ETABS 2013, beams, columns, and braces are frame elements that can be straight or curved. They are
used in a general, three-dimensional, beam-column formulation which includes the effects of biaxial
bending, torsion, axial deformation, and biaxial shear deformations. Intermediate joints will automatically
be generated where other members intersect with the frame to ensure finite element connectivity.
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Section Properties
ETABS has a built-in library of standard concrete, steel, and composite section properties of both US and
International Standard sections. Even non-prismatic and built up steel sections can be easily defined. Use
our Section Designer for more complex sections.
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Shells (Walls, Floors, Ramps)
Shell elements are used to model walls, floors, and ramps. A layered shell element has been added in
ETABS 2013 that considers mixed material composite behavior, as well as nonlinear material behavior
options for each layer based on stress-strain, with shearing behavior considered for rebar layered shell
sections.
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Shear Walls
Customizable wall configuration templates help you define your wall section properties with ease by
drawing multilevel wall configurations in a single click. When you draw walls using the wall stack, all pier
and spandrel labeling is automatically assigned.
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Link Elements
ETABS 2013 has a many different link elements available for users to accurately represent the behavior of
a structure. Link elements types include Linear, Multi-linear Elastic, Multi-linear Plastic, Gaps, Hooks,
Dampers, Friction Isolators, Rubber Isolators, T/C Isolators, and Triple Pendulum Isolators.
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Hinge Properties
Users can create and apply hinge properties to perform pushover analyses in ETABS 2013. Nonlinear
material behavior in frame elements (beam/column/brace) can be modeled using fiber hinges. Mixed
materials, like reinforced concrete, and complex shapes can be represented. Yielding, cracking, and
hysteresis behavior can all be captured using hinge properties.
Floor Diaphragms
Rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible floor diaphragms can be defined in ETABS. Diaphragms can be assigned to
joint objects or area objects.
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Loading
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Automated Code Based Loading
ETABS will automatically generate and apply seismic and wind loads based on various
domestic and international codes.
Supported codes included in ETABS
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ASCE 7-10
ASCE 7-05
ASCE 7-02
AS/NZS 1170 2002
GB50011-2010
• Eurocode 8 2004
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IS 1893 2002
Italian NTC 2008
NBCC 2010
NBCC 95
NBCC 2005
Turkish Seismic Code 2007
NZS 1170 2004
BOCA 96
NEHRP 97
UBC 94
UBC 97
UBC 97 Isolated
Point, Line, Area, and Thermal Loads
ETABS is robust when it comes to assigned loads. Uniform or non-uniform surface loads can be assigned
in any direction, not just gravity. Uniform or trapezoidal loads can be defined on lines in any direction.
Thermal load can be assigned to joints, lines, and areas.
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Cladding
Automatically add analytical cladding to entire structure for loading purposes.
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Live Load Reduction
Live-load-reduction factors may be assigned on a member-by-member basis. This may be done either
within the graphical user interface, once design is complete, by right-clicking on a member, or it may be
done using interactive database editing.
Supported codes and user defined types included in ETABS
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ASCE 7-95
ASCE 7-05
ASCE 7-10
AS/NZ 1170.1-2002
Chinese GB 50009-2012
Eurocode 1991:2002
Hong Kong COP 2011
IS 875-1987
NBCC95
NBCC2005
NBCC2010
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UBC97
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User Parameters (per Section 1607.5, UBC 1997)
User Defined Curves (By Tributary Area)
User Defined (By Stories Supported)
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Analysis
Overview
CSI Solvers have been tried and tested by the industry for over 35 years. The SAPFire Analysis Engine can
support multiple 64-bit solvers for analysis optimization and perform both Eigen Analysis and Ritz
Analysis.
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Dynamics
ETABS dynamic analysis capabilities include the calculation of vibration modes using Ritz or
Eigen vectors, response-spectrum analysis, and time-history analysis for both linear and
nonlinear behavior.
Eigen-vector modal analysis finds the natural vibration modes of the structure, which can be used for
understanding the behavior of the structure, and also as the basis for modal superposition in responsespectrum and modal time-history load cases. Ritz-vector modal analysis finds the optimum modes for
capturing structural behavior in response-spectrum and modal time-history load cases, and is more
efficient for this purpose than Eigen-vector analysis.
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P-Delta
P-delta analysis captures the softening effect of compression and the stiffening effect of tension. A single
P-delta analysis under gravity and sustained loads can be used to modify the stiffness for linear load cases,
which can later be superposed. Alternatively, each combination of loads can be analyzed for full nonlinear
P-delta effects. P-delta effects are included for all elements and are seamlessly integrated into analysis and
design.
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Buckling
Linear (bifurcation) buckling modes of a structure can be found under any set of loads. Buckling can be
calculated from a nonlinear or staged-construction state. Full nonlinear buckling analysis is also available
considering P-delta or large deflections effects. Snap-through buckling behavior can be captured using
static analysis with displacement control. Dynamic analysis can be used for modeling more complex
buckling, such as follower-load problems.
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Pushover
Pushover analysis features in ETABS include the implementation of FEMA 356 and the hinge and fiber
hinge option based on stress-strain. The nonlinear layered shell element enables users to consider plastic
behavior of concrete shear walls, slabs, steel plates, and other area finite elements in the pushover analysis.
Force-Deformation relations are defined for steel and concrete hinges.
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Time Dependent
Incremental construction sequence modeling and loadings can be modeled in
ETABS. Nonlinear effects can be considered such as large deflections, yielding,
and gap opening and closing. Time-dependent creep, shrinkage, and strengthchange effects will all so be taken into account.
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Users can add arbitrary loading sequences at various points to simulate real life construction conditions.
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Load Cases and Combinations
ETABS allows for an unlimited number of load cases and combinations. Load combination types include
linear additive, envelope (min/max), absolute add, SRSS, and range combinations. Combination
components can include other combinations.
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Model Alive
For small to medium sized structures, analysis can be performed on the fly as you build and
modify the model. For each change you make to the geometry, properties, or loading, the
structure instantly responds with the new deformed shape, moment diagram, or any other plot
of results. It’s like working with a live model, and it is a very powerful tool for conceptual
design and for testing "what-if" scenarios.
Design
Steel Frame
Fully integrated steel frame design includes member size optimization and implementation of design codes.
ETABS allows users to interactively view design results at any frame member, change the parameters or
section properties, and display the updated member results.
See supported design codes
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Concrete Frame
Fully integrated concrete frame design in ETABS includes: required area of steel calculations, auto
selection lists for new member sizing, implementation of design codes, interactive design and review, and
comprehensive overwrite capabilities.
See supported design codes
Composite Beam and Column
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Fully integrated comprehensive composite beam design includes member sizing using auto-select lists,
calculation of camber and stud requirements, implementation of US and many international design codes,
and comprehensive overwrite capabilities.
See supported design codes
Shear Wall
Fully integrated comprehensive shear wall design includes calculation of reinforcing requirements for both
overturning and shear, demand/capacity calculations of defined reinforcement, US and international design
codes, and comprehensive overwrite capabilities.
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See supported design codes
Steel Joist
Fully integrated comprehensive steel joist design includes member sizing using auto-select lists, and
overwrite capabilities.
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See supported design codes
Steel Connection and Base Plate
ETABS uses forces at joints and design preferences to determine connection design in terms of D/C ratio
for each load combination. Design is based on load combinations for each design code supported, as well as
a set of user-specified loading combinations.
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See supported design codes
Output and Display
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Mixed Units
ETABS gives users full control of the units used with all model data and displays results in the units
desired. Whether architectural units or analysis results units, you can have any combination of units
throughout your model.
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Deformed Geometry
Users can display deformed geometry based on any load or combination of loads, as well as animations of
modes.
Shell Force and Stress Contours
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Display of shell forces and stress contours can be based on load case, load combination, or modal case.
Users can show resultant forces and shell stresses on any component in any direction. Control the stress
contour appearance by showing undeformed, deformed, or extruded shapes, with or without loading values.
Reaction Diagrams
Support reactions can be displayed graphically on the model either as vectors or as tabular plots for selected
reaction components.
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Tabular Output
ETABS has the ability to display and dock tables for all input data, analysis results, and design results.
Organize the tables in any way you like by dragging and dropping them to any location of the ETABS
environment. Tables support sort, cut, copy, and paste for use in other programs. Print or save tabular data
to Access, Excel, Word, HTML, or TXT.
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Section Cuts
Use graphical section cut definitions to see the resultant forces and moments across any location in the
structure. A section cut can have any shape and can be used to compute story shears, connecting forces,
design forces in shear walls, and for many other purposes. Section cut results can be obtained for all types
of load cases and combinations.
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Video Animations
ETABS has the ability to generate video (.avi) files to visually display a set of analysis results that vary
over a particular time period, such as in a time history analysis.
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Rendered Views
Rendered views can used to create images to include in client reports. ETABS has multiple lighting
options, shadows, and texture options to create life-like images of your structures.
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Detailing
Drawing Generation
ETABS has complete drawing generation capabilities incorporated into all levels. The
detailing window is like any other ETABS model window.
Components views are the basic building blocks for drawings that can be dragged and dropped onto
drawing sheets. Detailing components include: concrete beams, columns and walls, steel framing, beam
schedules, column schedules, and connections.
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Component Views
ETABS will perform comprehensive steel detailing and scheduling for floor framing, beams, columns, and
connections. Users can control detailing preferences for each type of steel detailing component.
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Concrete Reinforcement Detailing
ETABS detailing will perform complete reinforcement detailing for concrete frame and shear walls based
on ETABS concrete frame and concrete shear wall design results. Users have full control over rebar sizes
to be used in detailing.
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Detailing Section Cuts
While in the detailer, create section cut through slabs, beams, and mats to see instant cross sections of the
part of the drawing. Users define orientation and length of the section cut and then use the section cut as a
component view in another drawing.
Print and Export Drawings
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Print drawings and views directly to a printer or plotter, or export drawings and views to DXF or DWG
format to be opened in AutoCAD or other CAD software.
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Reporting
Report Generation
The report generator features include an indexed table of contents, model definition information, and
analysis and design results in tabulated format. Reports are viewable within ETABS 2013 with live
document navigation connected to the Model Explorer and directly exportable to Microsoft Word.
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Tools
Section Designer
Section Designer is a utility that is built into ETABS. It allows users the ability to create specialized
sections of any arbitrary shape and material, including rebar layout. All section properties, biaxial
interaction diagrams, and moment curvature diagrams are automatically calculated.
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Import and Export
Supported Formats
ETABS supports many industry standards for importing and exporting data. Autodesk Revit Structure,
AutoCAD (DXF/DWG), CIS/2, IFC, and SDNF are all supported. ETABS also supports exporting of a
model to an Microsoft Access database.
Learn more about Building Information Modeling
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