The Auto Select option creates lists of previously defined steel and concrete sections. When an Auto Select section is assigned to a frame member, the program can automatically select the most economical, adequate section from the Auto Select list when designing the member. Auto Select lists are useful for Steel Frame, Concrete Frame, Composite Beam, Composite Column, and Steel Joist design. At least two steel or concrete frame sections must be defined before an Auto Select list can be defined.
The Property Name edit box, the Notes Modify/Show button, the Section Shape drop-down list, and the Section Property Source display area function as described in the Frame Section Property Data Form topic. The areas of the Frame Section Property Data form unique to the Section Shape - Auto Select option are described below:
Auto Select Design Type drop-down list. Use this drop-down list to select the type of design/the postprocessor to be used when designing the frame sections assigned this frame section definition.
Choose Sections in Auto Select List area.
Available Sections - Type drop-down list. This drop-down list can be used to focus the listing of available sections on a given type of section (e.g., I/Wide Flange).
Filter text edit box. Use the edit box to limit the display of sections using specified criteria.
Locate the sections to be included in the Auto Select list in the Choose Sections in Auto Select List display box on the left-hand side of the form. Use standard Windows methods to select the desired sections (i.e., click on a section, hold down the left mouse button, and drag the mouse down the list to select multiple sections; highlight a section and click the left mouse button to select sections one at a time; hold down the Ctrl key and click the left mouse button to make random multiple selections). Click the Add button to populate the Auto Select list on the right-hand side of the form with the selected beams. To remove a beam(s), highlight it in the Auto Select List and click the Remove button. Removing a beam from the Auto Select List does not remove it from the model or the Choose Sections in Auto Select List .
The section data, including material properties and section dimensions, of the various shapes included in the Auto Select list can be viewed (but not modified) by selecting a section (e.g., HSS4x4x1/4) and clicking the Show button, which will display the Frame Section Property Data form for the selected section. To view sections within a previously defined Auto Select list , click on the Auto Select list name (e.g., A-CompBm, A-GravBm), click the Show button, which will fill the Auto Select List on the right-hand side of the form, click on a section name in that list, and then click the Show button again to display the Frame Section Property Data form for the selected section.
Clicking the Import More button accesses the Frame Section Property Import Data form. Use that form to select additional frame section definitions for inclusion in the Auto Select definition. The imported section definitions will populate the Available Sections display area on the Frame Section Property Data form for the Auto Select List.
Starting Section in Auto Select List and Modify button. As indicated in the first paragraph of this topic, after an Auto Select list has been assigned to a frame member, ETABS automatically selects the most economical, adequate section from the auto select section list to use when designing the member. By default, ETABS performs the initial analysis using the median section by area in the assigned Auto Select list. Click the Modify button to access the Auto Select Start Section form and select a beam from the list of beams shown; ETABS will perform the initial analysis using the selected beam. The selected beam will display in the Starting Section in Auto Select List display box.
See also
Access the Frame Section Property Data form for an Auto Select sections list as follows:
Click the Define menu > Section Properties > Frame Sections command to display the Frame Properties form. Then do one of the following:
Click the Add New Property button to display the Frame Property Shape Type form, select the Auto Select shape and click the OK button (or double click the Auto Select shape).
Highlight a previously defined Auto Select definition and click the Add Copy of Property or the Modify/Show button.