Sections

Define cross-sectional properties for your structural members.

Section Properties

Each section defines geometric properties:

  • Area (A): Cross-sectional area
  • Moment of Inertia (Iy, Iz): Resistance to bending
  • Torsional Constant (J): Resistance to twisting
  • Section Modulus (Sy, Sz): For stress calculations

Section Types

Standard Sections

Load from built-in libraries:

  • W Shapes: Wide flange beams (W10x49, W14x82, etc.)
  • HSS: Hollow structural sections
  • Angles: L-shapes
  • Channels: C-shapes
  • Tubes: Round and rectangular tubes

Parametric Sections

Define by dimensions:

  • Rectangle: Width × Height
  • Circle: Diameter
  • I-Beam: Depth, flange width, web thickness
  • T-Section: Depth, flange width, thicknesses
  • Box: Width, height, wall thickness

Managing Sections

Open the Sections dialog:

  • Add from Library: Select from standard shapes
  • Add Parametric: Define custom dimensions
  • Edit: Modify section properties
  • Delete: Remove unused sections

Assigning Sections

  1. Select one or more members
  2. In the Properties panel, click the Section dropdown
  3. Select the desired section

Section Colors

Each section has an assigned color for visualization. Members are displayed in their section's color unless selected.

3D Rendering

In "Rendered" view mode, members display their actual cross-section shape extruded along the member length.