Frame Sections

Form: Frame Properties

Defining a frame section makes the section available for assignment to selected frame objects. The Define menu > Section Properties > Frame Sections command can be used to (a) import sections from predefined databases, (b) define frame section properties on the basis of their dimensions, (c) review and modify section properties, and (d) delete section properties.

Note that after a frame section has been defined, it must be assigned to selected frame objects (see the Assign - Frame - Frame Sections topic for more information).

TIP: The forms described in this topic also can be accessed by clicking the + (plus) symbol that may appear next to a drop-down list of available sections, such as the Beam and Column drop-down lists on the {Template} forms that are used to start a new model or to add objects from a template (Edit menu).

Click the Define menu > Frame Sections command to display the Frame Properties form. The Properties area of that form lists the names of all of the currently defined frame section properties; SAP2000 automatically creates this list.

Note: The Frame Properties form also displays when the + (plus) symbol associated with the Beams, Columns drop-down lists on the {Template} forms is clicked when a New Model is being created or a when a {Template} is being added to a model.

Use the following buttons on that form to import or add sections to the list, modify previously defined sections, or delete sections from the list.
- Import New Property button. Click this button to display the Import Frame Section Property form. Use this feature to import code-specific sections from several database files included with the program. Importing a section makes it available for assignment to selected frame objects. The Import Frame Section Property topic identifies the types of sections that can be imported.

- Add New Property button. Click this button to display the Add Frame Section Property form. Use the form to select the type of section to be added to the model before accessing a form specific to the type of section selected. The Add Frame Section Property topic identifies the types of sections that can be added.

- Add Copy of Property button
1. 1. Highlight the section property to be copied in the list of names in the Properties area of the form.
  2. Click the Add Copy of Property button. SAP2000 then displays a form specific to the type of section selected, with the editable parameters "pre-loaded" with the data used to define the section property selected in Step a.
  3. Use the editable options on the form to change the section definition as necessary. With the form displayed, use the F1 key to access a topic that has hyperlinks to individual Help topic relevant to the section types.
- Modify/Show Property button
1. 1. Highlight the section property to be reviewed/modified in the list of names in the Properties area of the form.
  2. Click the Modify/Show Property button.
  3. SAP2000 displays a form specific to the type of section selected. Use that form to modify the desired parameter. With the form displayed, use the F1 key to access a topic that has hyperlinks to individual Help topic relevant to the section types.
- Delete Property button
1. 1. Highlight the section property to be deleted in the list of names in the Properties area of the form.
  2. Click the Delete Property button.

Note: Frame sections that are currently assigned to any line objects in the model or that are used to define other frame section properties, such as nonprismatic sections and auto select section lists, cannot be deleted.

Example: Definition of a frame section is demonstrated in Problem C, Problem E, Problem H, Problem I, Problem J, Problem L, Problem N, Problem P, Problem Q, and Problem Z.