TRAINING GUIDE FOR ETABS

Facilitators:
1. Bañez, Jarra T.
2. Basista, Zaina D
3. Corocoto, Jared Kent Caesar C.
4. Egang, Dianizelle C.
5. Gajana, Romela Ann C.
6. Mendez, Pia Loren T.
7. Sacaben, Dwight C.

1. Training Objectives
By the end of this session, you should be able to:
● Comprehend the Fundamentals: Understand what ETABS is and its core purpose in
structural analysis and design.
● Identify Key Applications: Recognize the types of structures and design tasks for
which ETABS is the ideal software.
● Acknowledge its Limits: Know the situations where ETABS may not be the best tool
for the job.
● Apply a Basic Workflow: Be able to follow the fundamental steps of modeling,
analysis, and design for a simple structure.

2. Introduction to ETABS
ETABS, which stands for Extended Three-dimensional Analysis of Building Systems,
is a sophisticated software package developed by CSI (Computers and Structures, Inc.). It's
a specialized tool for the analysis and design of building structures.

Think of it as a digital laboratory where we can build a virtual model of a high-rise

building, an apartment complex, or even a small office. We can then subject this model to
various loads—like gravity, wind, and seismic forces—to see how it behaves. The software
provides detailed insights into the structural performance, helping us ensure our designs are
safe, efficient, and compliant with design codes.

3. Applications and Limitations of ETABS

Applications: Where ETABS Excels
ETABS is the industry standard for a reason. Its features are specifically tailored for
vertical structures. You'll find it indispensable for:
● High-Rise Buildings: Modeling complex structures with a large number of stories,
including shear walls, cores, and transfer floors.
● Seismic and Wind Analysis: Performing advanced dynamic analysis to understand a
building's response to lateral forces.
● Concrete and Steel Design: Designing and checking reinforced concrete and
structural steel elements (beams, columns, slabs) based on various international
 building codes.
● Shear Wall and Core Wall Design: Providing specialized tools for the detailed analysis
and design of vertical load-bearing elements.
● Foundation Design: Exporting foundation reaction forces for use in dedicated
foundation design software.

Limitations: When to Use Something Else

While powerful, ETABS isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Its focus on buildings means
it might not be the best choice for:
● Bridges and Dams: These structures have unique geometric and loading conditions
that are better handled by specialized software like CSI Bridge or SAP2000.
● Geotechnical Engineering: It doesn't perform detailed soil analysis or foundation-soil
interaction studies.
● Individual Element Design: For complex, isolated elements (e.g., a heavily reinforced
beam-column joint), a more detailed FEA software might be required.
● Non-Building Structures: Things like transmission towers, tanks, or shells are better
suited for general-purpose structural analysis software.

4. ETABS vs. Other Software

Feature ETABS SAP2000 SAFE

Primary Use High-rise buildings General structures Slabs and

(bridges, stadiums, foundations
towers)

User Interface Intuitive for building Highly versatile and Optimized for 2D
layouts customizable floor plans

Analysis Specialized building Wide range of Focus on floor

analysis (e.g., analysis options systems and mat
diaphragm (static, dynamic, foundations
behavior) non-linear)

Ideal For... Your typical multi- A unique or Designing a

story building complex structure building's
project that isn't a building foundations or floor
plates

5. Structural Fun Facts & Puns!

● Fun Fact: The world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, was designed using ETABS for
its structural analysis and design.
● Fun Fact: The Taipei 101 tower, which was the tallest building from 2004 to 2010, uses
a massive 660-tonne tuned mass damper to resist swaying from wind and seismic
activity.
● Structural Pun: Why did the structural engineer break up with the column? It had too
many moments!

6. The Hands-On Tutorial: A Simple ETABS Example

Step 1: Setting up a New Model
1. Open ETABS and select File > New Model.
2. Choose the Use Built-in Settings with option. Select your desired region's design
code.
3. In the Grid and Story Data window:
○ Set the number of grid lines in the X and Y directions.
○ Define the grid spacing.
○ Set the number of stories and the height of each story. Click OK.
Step 2: Defining Materials and Frame Sections
1. Go to Define > Materials Properties.
2. Add a new material for concrete and steel reinforcement. You'll need to specify
properties like compressive strength (fc′) for concrete and yield strength (Fy) for steel.
3. Go to Define > Section Properties > Frame Sections.
4. Add a new concrete rectangular section for your beams and columns. Define their
dimensions.
Step 3: Drawing the Elements
1. From the Draw toolbar, select the Draw Beam/Column/Brace tool.
2. Choose the section you just defined.
3. Click on the grid intersections to draw your beams and columns.
4. You can use the Quick Draw Beams or Quick Draw Columns tools for faster modeling.
Step 4: Assigning Supports
1. Select the base points of your columns.
2. Go to Assign > Joint > Restraints.
3. Choose the Fixed support condition to fix translation and rotation at the base.
Step 5: Defining and Assigning Loads
1. Go to Define > Load Patterns.
2. Add a new load pattern for Live Load. The Self Weight Multiplier should be 0 for Live
Load. The Dead Load pattern is created by default with a multiplier of 1.
3. Select a beam.
4. Go to Assign > Frame Loads > Distributed.
5. Choose the Live load pattern and enter a distributed load value.
Step 6: Running the Analysis
1. Save your model.
2. Go to Analyze > Run Analysis or click the "Run Analysis" icon.
3. ETABS will perform the structural analysis.
Step 7: Viewing Results and Design
1. Once the analysis is complete, ETABS will display the deformed shape of the structure.
2. You can view results by going to Display > Show Forces/Stresses >
Frames/Cables/Tendons to see the moments, shears, and axial forces.
3. To perform a design check, go to Design > Concrete Frame Design > Start
Design/Check.
4. ETABS will then check your members and provide the required reinforcement. You can
view the results directly on the model.