Import Frame Section Property Form

Use the Import Frame Section Property form to select code-specific frame sections to be imported into a model. Importing a frame section makes that section available for assignment to a frame section.

  1. Frame Section Property Type drop-down list. Select a material property for this frame section definition from this drop-down list.

  2. {Section Type} buttons. Choose the type of section to be imported by clicking on the button that has a graphical representation of the frame section type. The buttons available depend on the type of material property selected from the Frame Section Property Type drop-down list. The following types of sections can be imported.

  1. Depending on the {Section Type} selected in Step 2, the program may display a form that lists the individual sections in the database (see Note). That form will display the Section Type, a Material drop-down list, and a list of the available sections.

Note that clicking on the + (plus) symbol beside the Material drop-down list will display the Define Materials form, which can be used to adjust the material property for the section definition.

Click on one section in the list to select it for import, or click here to learn about methods for selecting multiple sections. The program will then display a {Type} Section form for the selected type of section.

Note:  If the program displays the Section Property File form, a database from which to import the section must be opened. See Frame Section Databases for a listing of the databases of code-specific section properties that are included with the program (that is, *.PRO files). The Section Property File form most likely will display the first time the program is used to import a section. In that case, selecting the SECTIONS8.PRO file will open a database containing many standard section types. If the required type of section is not included in the open database(s), an error message will display. In that case, click the OK button on the message form to close the form. The program will display a {Type} Section form for the section type. Click the Open File button on that form to redisplay the Section Property File form; then choose another database until the form described in Step 3 displays.

TIP:  When sections are imported, most of the options on the {Type} Section form will be inactive and available for review purposes only. To change any of the parameters, click the OK button on the {Type} Section form to import the section and return to the  Frame Properties form; then highlight the newly imported section and click the Modify/Show button to redisplay the {Type} Section form with the options in editable format.

 

Access the Import Frame Section Property form as follows:

  1. Click the Define menu > Section Properties > Frame Sections command, or select a frame object and click the Assign menu > Frame > Frame Sections command, to access the Frame Sections form. The Frame Properties form also can be accessed by clicking the + (plus) symbol that may appear next to a Section {Beam, Column, Chord, Brace} drop-down list, such as appears on the {Template} forms.

  2. Click the Import New Property button.