Pier Section Data Form

Use the Pier Sections form to access the section designer utility and add a new wall pier section or use the section designer utility to add a wall pier starting from an existing wall pier.

• Section Name edit box.  Use the default or specify a different name for the pier section.

• Base Material drop-down list.  Select a previously defined material property to be used for the pier section.

Note:  If the Modify/Show Pier Section button is clicked on the Pier Sections form, the Pier Section Data form has the preceding two options and the Wall Designer button only. Click the Wall Designer button to launch the Wall Section Designer utility and review the geometry and, where applicable, the reinforcing of the wall pier section.

• Add New Pier Section option. Use this option to start the pier section in the Wall Section Designer using a blank drawing area. Begin drawing the pier section as follows:

• 1. Select the Add New Pier Section option and click the OK button to launch Wall Section Designer.

  2. Select the Draw menu > Wall Leg command.

  3. Click in the drawing area and drag the mouse to draw the wall pier.

  4. Double click to complete the drawing. Alternatively, press the Enter key on the keyboard after the  single click on the last point.

  5. After the pier section has been drawn, add rebar using the Draw menu commands.

  6. When the pier has been drawn,click the OK button in the lower right-hand corner of the form to return to the Pier Sections form.

• Start from Existing Wall Pier option. Use this option to start the pier section in the Wall Section Designer using the geometry of an existing wall pier. Begin drawing the pier section as follows:

• 1. Select the story and a wall pier label from the drop-down lists in the "Add Pier" area of the form so that ETABS knows which existing pier geometry to use. In cases where the top and bottom geometry of the pier are different, ETABS uses the geometry at the bottom of the pier.

  2. Click the OK button to enter the wall designer utility. The geometry of the pier is immediately displayed in the Wall Section Designer.

  3. Modify the geometry of the section. Also add rebar to the pier using the Draw menu commands.

  4. When the pier has been drawn,click the OK button in the lower right-hand corner of the form to return to the Pier Sections form.

Access the Pier Section Data form as follows:

1. Select the Design menu > Shear Wall Design > Define General Pier Section command to access the Pier Sections form.

2. Then do one of the following:

   • Click the Add Pier Section button.

   • Highlight a pier section in the Sections display list and click the Add Copy of Pier Section button or Modify/Show Pier Section button.