Standard Training Manual

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12012 Version 17April

Contents

1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 7

1.1 Background ....................................................................................................................................................................... 9

1.2 Important Notes Regarding This Documentation ............................................................ ............................................... 10

1.3 Overview of the User Interface ........................................................ ................................................................. .............. 11

1.4 Orion Modelling, Analysis & Design Flowchart ......................................................................................................... ...... 12

1.5 Graphic Editor - General Principles ............................................................. .............................................................. ...... 13 1.5.1 Selecting single and / or multiple members ................................................................................................................ 13 1.5.2 Update - Editing a member .......................................................................................................................................... 14 1.5.3 Deletion – Single / Multiple members ......................................................................................................................... 14 1.5.4 Deletion – Selective deletion from a group of members ......................................................... .................................... 15 1.5.5 Object Snapping (Osnaps) ............................................................. ................................................................. .............. 15 1.5.6 Basic View/Zoom functions ........................................................... ................................................................. .............. 16

2.0 Building the Model ................................................................................................................. 17

2.1 Getting Started – Project Parameters & Settings ........................................................................................................... 19 2.1.1 Exercise aims ................................................................................................................................................................ 19 2.1.2 Launching Orion ........................................................................................................................................................... 19 2.1.3 Creating a New Project ................................................................................................................................................ 20 2.1.4 Settings Centre ........................................................ ................................................................. .................................... 20 2.1.5 Drawing Sheet Selection .............................................................................................................................................. 21 2.1.6 Inserting Storey Height ................................................................................................................................................ 22

2.2 Creating Axes .................................................................................................................................................................. 23 2.2.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 23 2.2.2 Establishing Axis Directions and Labels ............................................................... ......................................................... 23

2.2.3 Osnap methods ............................................................................................................................................................ 25 2.2.4 Pick methods ........................................................... ................................................................. .................................... 25 2.2.5 Editing Axes ............................................................. ................................................................. .................................... 25 2.2.6 Selecting/Stretching Multiple Axes .......................................................... .............................................................. ...... 27 2.2.7 Creating Axes Individually ............................................................................................................................................ 28

2.3 Creating Columns ....................................................... ................................................................. .................................... 29 2.3.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 29 2.3.2 The Properties and Options with Columns .................................................................................................................. 29 2.3.3 Creating Rectangular Columns ............................................................................................................ ......................... 32 2.3.4 Inserting Multiple Columns ................................................................................................................. ......................... 34 2.3.5 Creating Circular Columns ............................................................ ................................................................. .............. 38 2.3.6 Using the Polyline Column Editor ............................................................. .............................................................. ...... 38

2.4 Creating Shear Walls ....................................................................................................................................................... 40 2.4.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 40 2.4.2 Overview of Options .................................................................................................................................................... 40 2.4.3 Creating a Core Wall .................................................................................................................................................... 42

2.5 Creating Beams ............................................................................................................................................................... 43 2.5.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 43 2.5.2 Creating Multiple Rectangular Beams.......................................................................................................................... 43 2.5.3 Inserting the rest of the 1st Storey Beams ......................................................... .......................................................... 47

2.6 Creating Slabs ................................................................................................................................................................. 49 2.6.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 49

2.6.2 Creating 2 Way Spanning Slabs ..................................................................................... ............................................... 49 2.6.3 Setting Slab Types Automatically ................................................................................................................................. 53




2.6.4 Creating Cantilever Slabs ............................................................................................................................................. 54 2.6.5 Additional Slab Information ......................................................................................................................................... 56

2.7 Member Re-Labelling ..................................................................................................................................................... 57 2.7.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 57 2.7.2 Changing the member labels ....................................................................................................................................... 57

2.8 Using Tables to Edit Multiple Members ......................................................................................................................... 58 2.8.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 58 2.8.2 Changing Properties of Multiple Members ................................................................................................................. 58 2.8.3 Changing Properties of One Member in the table only ............................................................................................... 59

2.9 Wall Loads and Additional Beam Loads ............................................................. ............................................................. 60 2.9.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 60 2.9.2 Apply Beam Wall Loads ................................................................................................................................................ 60 2.9.3 Apply Additional Beam Loads ...................................................................................................................................... 62

2.10 Generating a 3D View of the Model and Creating Additional Storeys ........................................................................... 65 2.10.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 65 2.10.2 Generating/Manipulating a 3D View ........................................................................................................................... 65

2.10.3 Inserting Additional Floors ........................................................................................................................................... 67 2.10.4 Copying Floor Data to Other Floors ............................................................................................................................. 68 2.10.5 Moving between Storeys ............................................................................................................................................. 68 2.10.6 Editing the Roof ........................................................................................................................................................... 69 2.10.7 Editing the Storey Height ............................................................................................................................................. 69 2.10.8 Specifying Imposed Load Reductions for Each Floor ................................................................................................... 70

3.0 Analysing the Structure ........................................................................................................... 71

3.1 Pre-Analysis .................................................................................................................................................................... 73 3.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 73 3.1.2 Pre-Analysis Tab - Parameters, Loading and Materials ............................................................................................... 73 3.1.3 Model Options Tab – Model Analysis Settings ............................................................................................................ 80

3.2 Performing the Analysis .................................................................................................................................................. 82 3.2.1 Checking the notional lateral loads ............................................................................................................................. 84

3.3 Post-Analysis ................................................................................................................................................................... 86 3.3.1 Cross Checking the Analysis Result .............................................................................................................................. 86 3.3.2 Model and Analysis Results Display ............................................................................................................................. 88 3.3.3 Analysis Output Reports (for information only) .......................................................................................................... 92

4.0 Beam Reinforcement .............................................................................................................. 97

4.1 Beam Reinforcement Design .......................................................................................................................................... 99 4.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................... 99 4.1.2 Beam Design Settings and Parameters ........................................................................................................................ 99

4.2 Designing all Beams using Batch Mode .......................................................................................................................... 99 4.2.1 Graphical Review of Passing / Failing Members ........................................................................................................ 101

4.3 Interactive Beam Design ............................................................................................................................................... 102 4.3.1 Utilisation Ratios ........................................................................................................................................................ 102 4.3.2 The Axis and Beam Information Editor ...................................................................................................................... 103 4.3.3 The Reinforcement Data Screen ................................................................................................................................ 104 4.3.4 Beam Detail Drawings ................................................................................................................................................ 104 4.3.5 Standard Bar Patterns ................................................................................................................................................ 105 4.3.6 Modifying the Number and Size of Bars .................................................................................................................... 106 4.3.7 Bar Layers ................................................................................................................................................................... 106 4.3.8 Modifying bar curtailment ......................................................................................................................................... 108 4.3.9 Beam Loading and Force Diagrams ................................................................ ............................................................ 108

4.4 Creating the Beam Elevation Drawings ........................................................................................................................ 110




4.4.1 Putting All Beams onto a Single Sheet Automatically .................................................................................... ............ 110

5.0 Column and Wall Reinforcement........................................................................................... 111

5.1 Column &b Wall Reinforcement Design ....................................................................................................................... 113 5.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 113 5.1.2 Column Design Settings and Parameters .................................................................................................... ............... 113

5.2 Designing all Columns using Batch Mode ........................................................................ ............................................. 113 5.2.1 Creating a Column Schedule ...................................................................................................................................... 115 5.2.2 Creating a Column Output Report ............................................................................................................................. 116 5.2.3 Creating a Foundation Loads Report.......................................................................................................................... 118

5.3 Interactive Column Design ............................................................... ................................................................. ............ 119 5.3.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 119 5.3.2 Understanding the Column Design Editor.................................................................................................................. 119 5.3.3 Designing Rectangular Column .................................................................................................................................. 121 5.3.4 Column Slenderness ........................................................... ................................................................. ....................... 123 5.3.5 Column Interaction Diagrams .................................................................................................................................... 124 5.3.6 Fixing the Bar Layout .......................................................... ................................................................. ....................... 125

5.3.7 Link Arrangement ............................................................... ................................................................. ....................... 126 5.3.8 Shear Design............................................................................................................................................................... 127 5.3.9 Biaxial bending vs. BS 8.1.1.0-Cl 3.8.4.5 design ......................................................................................................... 127

5.4 Designing a Wall............................................................................................................................................................ 128

6.0 Slab Design ........................................................................................................................... 133

6.1 Slab Design and Detailing.............................................................................................................................................. 135 6.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 135 6.1.2 Slab Design Settings ................................................................................................................................................... 135 6.1.3 Member and Steel Bar Label Templates (Additional Info. Only)................................................................................ 136

6.2 Create Slab Reinforcement Strips ................................................................................................................................. 137

6.2.1 Filtering the Display of Slab Reinforcement (for information only) ........................................................................... 139 6.3 Editing the Bar Layout ....................................................................................................... ............................................. 139

6.4 Creating Slab Output ............................................................. ................................................................. ....................... 141 6.4.1 Output for an Individual Slab Strip ........................................................... .............................................................. .... 141 6.4.2 Creating a Slab Output Report for the Entire Floor.................................................................................................... 141 6.4.3 Table of Quantities ................................................................................................................... .................................. 142

7.0 Flat Slabs .............................................................................................................................. 143

7.1 Flat slabs ....................................................................................................................................................................... 145 7.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 145

7.2 Creating the Flat Slabs in the Model ............................................................................................................................. 145

7.2.1 Inserting the Slabs .............................................................. ................................................................. ....................... 146 7.3 Creating Slab Loads and Openings .............................................................. ................................................................. . 148 7.3.1 Slab Loads................................................................................................................................................................... 148 7.3.2 Slab Openings .......................................................... ................................................................. .................................. 150

7.4 Creating Additional Storeys .......................................................................................................................................... 151 7.4.1 Storey Information ..................................................................................................................................................... 151

8.0 Building Analysis for Flat Slab ............................................................................................... 153

8.1 Building Analysis for Flat Slabs ......................................................... ................................................................. ............ 155 8.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 155 8.1.2 Model Options Settings ...................................................... ................................................................. ....................... 155 8.1.3

Pre-Analysis – Building Model Check ................................................................. ........................................................ 156

8.2 Performing the Analysis ................................................................................................................................................ 157




8.2.1 Building Analysis ........................................................................................................................................................ 157 8.2.2 Checking the notional horizontal forces .................................................................................................................... 158

8.3 Post-Analysis ................................................................................................................................................................. 159 8.3.1 Cross Checking the Analysis Result ............................................................................................................................ 159 8.3.2 Model and Analysis Results Display ........................................................................................................... ................ 160

9.0 Load Chase Down .................................................................................................................. 163

9.1 Gravity Load Chase Down Using FE Analysis ................................................................................................................ 165 9.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 165 9.1.2 Finite Element Model Generation Options ................................................................................................................ 165

9.2 Generating/Performing the FE Analysis Model ............................................................................................................ 169 9.2.1 Creating the FE mesh for Analysis.............................................................................................................................. 169 9.2.2 Performing the Batch FE Load Chase Down............................................................................................................... 171

9.3 Cross checking the Finite Element Results ................................................................................................................... 175

10.0 Flat Slab ................................................................................................................................ 177

10.1 Designing the Flat Slab ................................................................................................................................................. 179 10.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 179 10.1.2 Finite Element – Post Processing Settings ................................................................................................................. 179

10.2 Floor Analysis Post Processing ...................................................................................................................................... 180 10.2.1 Deflection Plots .......................................................................................................................................................... 180 10.2.2 Loading and Effects Toolbars ..................................................................................................................................... 181 10.2.3 Loading and Effects ........................................................ ................................................................. ........................... 182 10.2.4 Setting the Concrete Effective Depth ........................................................................................................................ 184 10.2.5 Bottom Steel Reinforcement Provision ..................................................................................................................... 185 10.2.6 Creating the User Defined Contours (bottom steel) ............................................................ ...................................... 186 10.2.7 Creating the User Defined Contours (top steel) ........................................................................................................ 187

10.3 Exporting and Displaying Contours ......................................................... ................................................................. ..... 189

10.4 Exporting to DXF (for information) ............................................................................................................................... 190

10.5 Designing the Columns/Walls ....................................................................................................................................... 191

11.0 Appendix A ........................................................................................................................... 193

11.1 Wind Loads ................................................................................................................................................................... 195 11.1.1 Specifying Wind Combinations .................................................................................................................................. 195 11.1.2 Applying a Single Wind Load to Each Floor ................................................................................................................ 196 11.1.3 Applying Wind Loads directly to Columns & Walls .................................................................................................... 200

12.0 Appendix B ........................................................................................................................... 203

12.1 Beam Design Settings and Detailing ............................................................................................................................. 205

12.1.1 The Design Tab ............................................................... ................................................................. ........................... 205 12.1.2 The Parameters Tab ................................................................................................................................................... 206 12.1.3 The Bar Selection Tab ................................................................................................................................................ 206 12.1.4 The Curtailment Tab .................................................................................................................................................. 208 12.1.5 The Detailing Tab ....................................................................................................................................................... 209 12.1.6 The Layers Tab ........................................................................................................................................................... 210 12.1.7 Manually Creating Drawing Sheets ............................................................................................................................ 210

13.0 Appendix C ........................................................................................................................... 213

13.1 Column Design Settings and Detailing ............................................................... ........................................................... 215 13.1.1 The Design Tab ............................................................... ................................................................. ........................... 215 13.1.2 The Steel Bars Tab ...................................................................................................................................................... 216

13.1.3 The Detail Drawings Tab ............................................................................................................................................ 219 13.1.4 To Rationalise the Steel Bars in Individual Columns .................................................................................................. 221




13.2 To Rationalise the Steel Bars in Multiple Columns ....................................................................................................... 222

13.3 Creating the Column Detail Drawings ......................................................... .............................................................. .... 223

14.0 Appendix D ........................................................................................................................... 227

14.1 Foundation Design ........................................................................................................................................................ 229

14.1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................... 229 14.1.2 Foundation Design Settings ....................................................................................................................................... 229 14.1.3 Choice of Loading Method ......................................................................................................................................... 230

14.2 Pad Footings.................................................................................................................................................................. 230 14.2.1 Pad footing design...................................................................................................................................................... 230 14.2.2 Pad Footing Details .................................................................................................................................................... 233

14.3 Strip Footings ................................................................................................................................................................ 235 14.3.1 Strip Footing Design ................................................................................................................................................... 235 14.3.2 Designing the Foundation Beam ................................................................................... ............................................. 238

14.4 Raft Foundation Design ................................................................................................................................................ 240

15.0 Appendix E ........................................................................................................................... 243

15.1 Load Combinations and the Loading Generator ........................................................................................................... 245 15.1.1 The Loading Generator .............................................................................................................................................. 245

16.0 Appendix F ........................................................................................................................... 251

16.1 Report Manager ......................................................... ................................................................. .................................. 253 16.1.1 Concrete and Form Estimation Reports ..................................................................................................................... 253 16.1.2 Report Manager ...................................................... ................................................................. .................................. 254

17.0 Appendix G ........................................................................................................................... 255

17.1 Polyline Column Editor ................................................................................................................................................. 257 17.1.1 Creating an L-shaped column. ................................................................. ............................................................... .... 257

18.0 Appendix H ........................................................................................................................... 261

18.1 Slab Design using FE Analysis ........................................................... ................................................................. ............ 263 18.1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................... 263 18.1.2 Creating FE Slab Strips ........................................................ ................................................................. ....................... 263 18.1.3 Finite Element Model Generation ............................................................ .............................................................. .... 265 18.1.4 FE Analysis Post Processing ........................................................... ................................................................. ............ 266 18.1.5 Updating the FE Strips with Reinforcement ....................................................... ........................................................ 269

19.0 Appendix I ............................................................................................................................ 271

19.1 Enhancing the General Arrangement Drawings ........................................................................................................... 273 19.1.1 Exercise Aims ............................................................................................................................................................. 273

19.1.2 Dimensioning the Grid Spacing ........................................................................................................... ....................... 273 19.1.3 Dimensioning up the Cantilever Slabs........................................................................................................................ 276 19.1.4 Shrinking Axes and Setting Unused Axes to Ghost .................................................................. .................................. 277 19.1.5 Creating Slab Section Views ............................................................................... ........................................................ 278

20.0 Appendix J ............................................................................................................................ 281

20.1 Orion Data File Structure and Project Settings ............................................................................................................. 283 20.1.1 Project Settings .......................................................................................................................................................... 284





7

Introduction

Background

2012 Version 17.0April

1.0 Introduction





9

Introduction

Background


1.1 BackgroundOrion is developed for the analysis, design and drafting of Concrete Building Stuctures. Unlike general purpose structural

analysis programs, Orion is concentrated on accurate analysis, fast data preparation, automated reinforced concrete design

and automated preparation of engineering drawings and details.Building systems have the following common structural features:

Geometry of a building system generally formed principly by horizontal beams and vertical columns.

Most of the time, the column and beam elements have similar cross-sections so that standard section types can be formed.

The in-plane stiffness of the floor slabs is considered to be high, forming rigid diaphragms at each floor level.

Applied loads are either in vertical (dead and imposed loads) or horizontal (wind, soil pressure or earthquake) directions.

There will often be repetition (in whole or in part) of floor layouts from one level to the next.

General arrangement drawings (GA’s) are somewhat stylised, but given the constrained area of application outlined above,

the system allows the model to be described by the development of GA drawings at each floor level. Even that process is

further simplified since beams etc are dealt with as coherant objects, not just lines. The more simplistic centre line analysis

model is automatically created in background at the same time. For example, in reality, 300 wide beams and 400 square

columns along an external elevation may be arranged with the outside faces flush which would mean that their true centre

lines are not aligned. It would be common practice to ignore this degree of mis-alignment for analysis purposes. Orion will

not un-necessarily complicate the analysis model.

In addition – different preferences can be held and automatically used for analysis and design purposes. For example, beam

flanges can be ignored in the analysis but then utilised for reinforcement design (sagging moments only) without any re-

modelling.

In summary, an Orion model allows you to

Create GA drawings

Design the Floor Slabs, and de-compose floor loads onto beams.

Analyse the building frame

Design continuous beams, columns. walls, and foundations (pad, strip and raft)

Automatically generate RC detail drawings.

Note that analysis and design results are represented so that the reports look like a "Building Output" by classifying the

members as columns, walls, slabs and beams with the same notations used in the floor plans.



10

Introduction

Important Notes Regarding This Documentation


1.2 Important Notes Regarding This Documentation

This document is primarily intended to accompany a formal training course. However, it has been decided that it will be

distributed with the software as an alternative means of getting started. If you are using this document and have notattended a course you will still find it very informative but we ask that you note the following:

Each part builds on the last so you need to work from start to finish.

In many places the notes will simply say “Set up the options/settings like this”. Within the notes there is little

discussion of what effect alternative selections would have. This is the sort of additional information that would be

covered during discussions in the training course or the informal question and answer sessions.

The introduction above gives an indication that you will need to develop an appreciation of the distinction between

physical, analysis, and design models. Once again, this is the sort of additional information that would be covered

during discussions in the training course or the informal question and answer sessions.

In particular, time should be put aside towards the end of the formal training to allow you to further discuss theabove and also investigate how you can set up Orion so that it works as closely as possible in accordance with your

standards/requirements.



11

Introduction

Overview of the User Interface


1.3 Overview of the User Interface

Some of the various components of the user interface are shown below:

Members

Toolbar

Structure

Tree

Layer

Toolbar

3D ViewPlan View

Form Plan, Detail and

Design Status tabs

Plan/3D View tabs



12

Introduction

Orion Modelling, Analysis & Design Flowchart


1.4 Orion Modelling, Analysis & Design Flowchart

The following flow chart demonstrates the typical procedure, for analysis and design within Orion. These options are fully

described in the Orion Engineers Handbook

4.1 Beam Design

NO

YES

3a For Flat Slab Construction

Use FE Floor Analysis to create

sub frames per floor, and chase

gravity (only) loads down through

the structure.

These Gravity Loads replace those

from the Buildin Anal sis

4.2 Column/Wall Design 4.3 Slab Design

3. Run Building Analysis

Generates gravity and lateral

design forces for column/walls

and beams

If a Flat Slab?

(or sub frame

approach)

2. Derive Beam Loads

Yield Lines

or

FE decomposition for Beam Loads

Slab design based on tabulated code coefficients1. Build the Model



13

Introduction

Graphic Editor - General Principles


1.5 Graphic Editor - General Principles

In a formal training course your tutor will demonstrate these methods to you. If you’re working through the notes

independently, you should just read this section and then return to it as necessary when you need to use thefeatures/methods it describes.

1.5.1 Selecting single and / or multiple members

Several entity selection options are available to select single and/or multiple elements for editing. Only visible objects can be

selected using one of the selection methods. The entity selection options are located in the "Edit" drop down and toolbar.

Available entity selection options are:

Select Entity Option

After clicking on the "Pick" icon from the Members Toolbar, a single element can be selected by simply picking a

point on the entity.

To select a second, and further, object(s) you can press the CTRL key while picking entities successively. If a selected elementis picked again, then it will be de-selected.

Window/Crossing Selections

After clicking on the "Pick" icon from the Members Toolbar, multiple elements can be selected by enclosing them in a

selection window. A selection window is a rectangular area that is defined in the drawing area by dragging two opposite

corners.

Two types of window selection are available. "Select Entity (Window)" option selects entities that are entirely within the

selection area. "Select Entity (Crossing)" option select entities within and entities crossing the edges of the selection area.

"Select Entity (Window)" is performed by clicking and dragging from left to right as shown below.

"Select Entity (Window)" selects Column 1C1 only.

"Select Entity (Crossing)" is performed by clicking and dragging from right to left: By reversing the 1st

and 2nd

points in the

diagram above, Axes "A" and "1", Column 1C1, Beams 1B1 and 1B4 and Slab 1S1 would be selected.

Fence Selection

Fence is a line that selects all entities that it crosses.

To perform "Select Entity (Fence)" hold down the SHIFT key and drag a line that crosses all elements that are intended for

the selection set.

This option is useful when a set of non-orthogonal entities are to be selected.

1st

Point

2nd

Point



14

Introduction



"Select Entity (Fence)" selects Axes "A" and "B".

1.5.2 Update - Editing a member

For example, in order to edit an existing beam:

1. Select an existing beam.

2. Right mouse click and choose “Properties”

3. Change the values/settings as required

4. Press the "Update" button in the properties window.

The same process applies to all element types. You can edit multiple beams/columns/walls etc by selecting the elements you

need to edit and following the same steps as above. You can edit all elements of a particular element type by using the

member tables from the “Member” drop down menu.

1.5.3 Deletion – Single / Multiple members

To delete an element, you must first select it and then do one of the following:

1. Press the "Delete" button on your keyboard

2. Right mouse click and choose “Delete” from the context menu.

1st Point

2n

Point



15

Introduction



1.5.4 Deletion – Selective deletion from a group of members

For example, in order to delete all the slabs from within a selection window:

1. Perform a window selection (as described earlier) to select an area of a model

2. Press the "Delete" button on your keyboard or right mouse click and choose

“Delete”

3. From the "Element Filters" check "Slabs" only

4. Click “OK”

This will just delete the selected slabs and will leave all other selected elements in the

model.

1.5.5 Object Snapping (Osnaps)

The cursor can be made to snap on to the endpoint, midpoint of an

individual line or intersection of two lines etc. to assist in creating axes,

dimensioning or other positioning commands. You can set the default

settings by selecting “Object Snap Settings” from under the “Edit” drop

down menu.



16

Introduction



1.5.6 Basic View/Zoom functions

The Graphical Editor provides several ways to control the display of the drawing in the drawing area. You can zoom to change

the magnification or pan to reposition the view in the drawing area. All display control options are located in the "View" drop

down and the toolbar.

The following options are available:

Regen

The "Regen" command re-generates all drawing entities using stored geometry information. This command is slightly time

consuming than the redraw function.

Zoom Window

You can quickly zoom in on an area by picking the opposite corners of the zoom window defining it.

After selecting the "Zoom Window" option, specify the opposite corners of the zoom window in the drawing area by dragging

two points.

Zoom Previous

All zoom operations are stored. So, anytime, a previous display can be recalled using the "Zoom Previous" option.

Zoom Extents

"Zoom Extents" displays a view that includes all objects in the current storey at the highest magnification that will fit in the

drawing area.

Zoom Limits

"Zoom Limits" displays a view that includes all objects contained within the active sheet borders at the highest magnification

that will fit in the drawing area.

Pan

After selecting the "Pan" option, you can pan the drawing image to a new location by left clicking and dragging from one

point to another.

This function can also be achieved by depressing the scroll wheel on your mouse and then moving the cursor around the

screen.

Zoom In (20%) and Zoom Out (20%)

"Zoom In (20%)" increases the magnification of the current view by 20% and "Zoom Out (20%)" decreases the magnificationby a similar amount. This option can be used to quickly zoom in and out to the centre of the current view.

This function can also be achieved by using the scroll wheel on your mouse. The Zoom will be focussed on wherever the

cursor is placed on the screen.



17

Building the Model


2.0 Building the Model

Modelling Fundamentals





19

Building the Model

Getting Started – Project Parameters & Settings


2.1 Getting Started – Project Parameters & Settings

2.1.1 Exercise aims

Launching Orion software

Entering Project Code

Selecting a Template (Settings Centre)

Selecting Drawing Sheet

Entering Storey Height

Specifying some Program Design Settings

The object of this exercise is to familiarise you on how to start a new project in Orion and how to input some basic project

parameters.

2.1.2 Launching Orion

Open Orion so a screen similar to the following appears.



20

Building the Model



2.1.3 Creating a New Project

Click New Project

Enter a Project Code. Type the code as shown using the ‘_’ character to denote spaces.

Then Click OK

This will automatically create a folder called Training_Course_Model_1 beneath the default data folder shown on the

previous page. This will be used for storing all the model data.

2.1.4 Settings Centre

The next window to appear is the “Settings Centre”. Orion allows you to use “Templates” which contain preferred settings

and parameters in a range of areas within the program. These can be swapped between projects and used to set up new

projects quickly and easily with the settings you want.

Select UK (BS8110) on the left hand side and click Import.

Note: For the purposes of this course, we will just select one of the default templates. For more information on how to

create and edit templates and how to fully utilise the Settings Centre, please refer to the Orion Help document from

under the Help menu.



21

Building the Model



2.1.5 Drawing Sheet Selection

Orion has the unique ability to create working drawings from the design data. After having entered the project parameters

the drawing sheet selection dialog box will automatically appear.

Click on the drop down arrow to see the various sheet sizes available, pick A0 then click OK.

Note: You can enter your own sheet size in the width and height box if your required size is not available. You can also

change the drawing and detail scales from this dialog.

Note: The sheet origin (0,0) is located at the lower left corner of the drawing sheet. If after creating your model, you find

it is too close to the edge of the sheet, you can reposition it by clicking on the Sheet Origin button.



22

Building the Model



2.1.6 Inserting Storey Height

The next dialog prompts for the Storey height for the 1st

storey

Enter the storey height as 3300mm as shown below then click OK.

After entering the 1st

storey height, the main drawing area (Graphical Editor) appears.

Orion is now fully open and ready for our model to be created.



23

Building the Model

Creating Axes


2.2 Creating Axes

2.2.1 Exercise Aims

Understanding Axis Directions

Using the Orthogonal Axis Generator

Rotating & Stretching Axes

Selecting Multiple Axes

2.2.2 Establishing Axis Directions and Labels

Now we will begin to create the axes.

Pick Orthogonal Axis Generator from the File menu.

Note the text that is displayed at the bottom of the screen. This is prompting you how to proceed.

Hold down the Ctrl key while picking a point in the lower left hand region of the drawing sheet.

After picking the reference point the Orthogonal Axis Generator screen should appear.

Fill in the boxes on the Orthogonal Axis Generator as below.

Note: You could now click on the screen to define the co-ordinates of the reference point, however to ensure it has a

sensible (i.e. whole number) offset from the origin hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard while picking a reference

point.



24

Building the Model

Creating Axes


Click on OK , the axes should appear as follows.

Plan View in Orion 2D Model

X axis (0 degrees)

Y axis (90 degrees)Dir 1 - +/- 45 degrees

of the X axis

Dir 2 +/- 45 degrees

of the Y axisDir 1

Dir 2

Note: The Orthogonal Axis Generator will create Direction 1 axes horizontally and give them Alphabetical labels,

Direction 2 axes will be created vertically with numeric labels. It is worthwhile maintaining a convention so that the same

axis directions are applied in all models. We would suggest all axes within +/- 45 degrees of the horizontal be assigned

direction 1 and all axes within +/- 45 degrees of the vertical be assigned direction 2.







27

Building the Model

Creating Axes


Repeat this procedure to rotate axis F by 10 degrees about the intersection of axes F and 1.

The axes should then appear as follows:

2.2.6 Selecting/Stretching Multiple Axes

Next we will stretch all the vertical axes so that they all extend above axis F.

From the Edit menu choose Select Entity (Fence) and then drag a line between Axis E & F through all the

vertical axes so they are all selected.

Right mouse click to bring up the pop-up menu and pick Stretch Axis

Click and Hold with your left mouse button near Axis 6 and drag up past Axis F.

The screen should now look as shown below.

Help?? If you can’t recall how to do the above:

Click the Pick icon

Click on Axis F to select it.Right mouse click and choose Rotate Axis

Type in the angle as 10

Click on the Osnap intersection of axis F and 1



28

Building the Model

Creating Axes


2.2.7 Creating Axes Individually

In the training example it has been possible to create all the Axis Lines using the Orthogonal Axis Generator so it will not be

necessary to create axes individually, however there will be many occasions in other models when you will need to add

individual axes to an existing grid layout. There are two ways to achieve this:

Either;

1. Create a new line parallel to an existing axis. To do this, select an existing grid line then right click to activate the

context sensitive pop up menu. Choose Offset Axis. Define the offset and the label for the new axis and then left

mouse click to one side of the initially selected axis to indicate the side where the new axis is to be drawn.

2. Create a new line by using the Axis Tool. To do this, select the Axis Tool from the Members Toolbar.

Define the new label, then left click and drag to draw the axis. Note that using this method the line is

being drawn ‘free-hand’ making it difficult to draw the line to an exact angle or length. To rectify this, hold

down the CTRL key when drawing the line. This forces the angle and length to snap to multiples of the

values shown in the Graphic Editor View Settings – Plan Tab.

With an Angle Step of 15 deg and a Length Step of 1000, holding down CTRL will force the axis to snap to an angle of

0,15, or 30 degrees etc. and a length which will be a multiple of 1000mm.





30

Building the Model

Creating Columns


Note: To view the calculated section properties of a column, click on

the Model tab within the Column Properties dialog and then click on

the Display Section Properties icon. The calculated properties can be

edited manually by overwriting the zero values shown in the dialog

boxes.

Orion will allow the user to model and analyse column or

wall drop panels. These can then be taken into account for

the Punching Shear Checks.

b1 = width of drop

b2 = length of drop

e1 and e2 = allow the drop to be offset

h-Head = depth of the drop from the top of the slab

i.e. If the slab is 300mm and a h-Head of 600mm is specified

then the drop would project 300mm below the underside of

the slab.



31

Building the Model

Creating Columns


Support Types > [Default]. The Default support condition is defined in Member > Support Type Definitions. The user can

define additional support conditions for translation / rotation in the x, y and z axis.

(mm) del z (top/bot) – The user can define different top and bottom levels for each column relative to the datum, i.e. for a

sloping site.

Plane (top/bot) – If a column/wall has been assigned to a Plane (i.e. for a sloping floor) then this Plane is referenced and the

appropriate del z setting is made inactive.



32

Building the Model

Creating Columns


2.3.3 Creating Rectangular Columns

We will start by creating some rectangular columns.

The 1st column we will create will be of size 600x300 where 600 will be in direction 1. Also these columns are to be parallel tothe grids in both directions 1 and 2.

Click the Dir 1/2 button to indicate the column faces are parallel to both directions 1 and 2.

In the dimensions box enter 600 in b1 and 300 in b2

Click the centrally placed column icon from the Insertion Options to update the e1 and e2 values as shown to the

right.

The Column Properties should now be as shown below.

Label Corner - Allows the user to define the label position relative to its four corners.

Note: By right clicking on these boxes we can select a dimension from those available instead of typing a value.



33

Building the Model

Creating Columns


Place the cursor over Grid 1 and Grid B intersection (Note that the axes become highlighted in grey to show which

intersection is being used) and left click to insert the column.

Click on the Zoom Window icon or from the Main Menu bar pick View/Zoom Window

Then box around the Grids A-B/1-3 to see the inserted column.

Click the Zoom Limits icon to see the limits of the drawing sheet.

Now enter another column of the same size at Grids B/2 by positioning the cursor at this grid intersection and left

click the mouse.

Note: All columns must be entered at grid intersections.

Note: The circular symbol labelled with an “R” indicates the centre of rigidity of the floor plan . As there is currently only

one column on this floor the centre of rigidity is at the centre of the column.



34

Building the Model

Creating Columns


2.3.4 Inserting Multiple Columns

Multiple columns of the same size can be entered by clicking and keeping the left mouse button held down, and then

dragging along the grid intersections where similar sized columns are to be placed.

Do this along the Grids B/4 – 5 , so your screen should look as shown.

Note: The column at Grid B/5 is drawn as a parallelogram and is placed parallel to both the grids it is inserted at because the

Dir: [1/2] button was selected. If only Dir: [1] button was selected then the column would be drawn as a rectangle, only

parallel to the grid in direction 1. The reverse applies if the Dir: [2] button is selected.

Now enter the rest of the centrally placed 600x300 columns at the following Grid Intersections: D/1, D/4, D/5, E/4 &

F/5.



35

Building the Model

Creating Columns


So your screen should look as follows.

Centrally Placed 600x300 Sized Columns

Now with the properties for the 600x300 column active, use the

Insertion Options to align the column so that its top left corner is

positioned flush with the grids. With the alignment as shown, the

eccentricities should change to e1=0 and e2=300.

Then enter the column at Grid F/1

Click on the Zoom Extents icon so your screen should look as

below.



36

Building the Model

Creating Columns


Members can be ‘nudged’ into their final position using the keyboard cursor keys.

Using the cursor keys ‘nudge’ column 1C10 to an eccentricity of e1 = 150mm, e2 = 175mm. (Alternatively type these

eccentricities into the Column Properties dialog and click Update.)

Use the Insertion Options again to align the next column thus so that its right edge is flush with the grid

line. Ensure that Dir: [1/2] is selected and then insert the column at Grid Intersection E/5.

Zoom in to this column and as shown below it should be labelled as 1C11.

Note: The size of step can be controlled via Settings > General Settings, by adjusting the Member Section Eccentricity

Step on the View tab.





38

Building the Model

Creating Columns


2.3.5 Creating Circular Columns

Now we will enter a circular column 400mm in diameter.

Type 400 in the b1 box and leave b2, e1 & e2 as 0 , then click on Grid F/4 to

enter the circular column.

View of Circular Column 1C15

2.3.6 Using the Polyline Column Editor

This option allows the user to specify any shape column for the analysis and design. Please refer to the Help system for

information on how to use the ‘Polyline Column Editor’.

Note: To enter a void in the centre of the column, put a negative value in

the b2 box (i.e. 100mm pipe would be entered as -100).



39

Building the Model

Creating Columns


All the columns have now been entered. They should be shown positioned at the grid line intersections below:

1st

Storey Column Layout

Hint: Have you missed out any of the columns?

Take a look at the Structure Tree - If your model is correct it should be indicating 15 columns at this

stage.



40

Building the Model

Creating Shear Walls


2.4 Creating Shear Walls

2.4.1 Exercise Aims

Creating C-Shaped Core Wall

2.4.2 Overview of Options

You will see many of the options are similar to the options in the columns dialog but there are a few that refer to walls only.

Ext I Ext J

The geometry of the wall is defined under the Gen

tab. The wall is defined between grid points.

Extension zones (Ext) can also be defined to modelthe physical position of the wall.

Note – It is recommended that the extension

zones are kept to a minimum as shown below.

The orientation of the wall is defined by the label

direction. This is controlled automatically by Orion.

In simple terms Ext I refers to the start of the wall,

and Ext J to the end.



41

Building the Model



Material Properties – The choice of material can be controlled on a

wall by wall basis. However it is recommended to use the [Default]

material properties controlled by the Parameter Settings.

It is recommended that changing any material properties in this

window should be done with caution.

(mm) del z (I,bot) – The base levels of ends I can be controlled based

off the datum.

(mm) del z (J,bot) – The base levels of ends J can be controlled based

off the datum.

This enables sloping base of walls.

Support Type – The support Types can be defined as per thecolumns. It is recommended to use [Default] settings.

Wall Model Type –The analytical model for this shear wall can be

controlled on an individual basis. The Mid-Pier and FE Shell Methods

are described fully in the Engineers Handbook.

It is recommended to leave this setting as Default.

Mid Pier Model

FE Shell Model



42

Building the Model



2.4.3 Creating a Core Wall

Now we will create a lift core wall which will be 200mm thick and C-shaped.

Pick the Shear Wall icon or go to Member/Shear Wall from the Menu bar.

Enter 200 in the b: dimension box, 100 in the b2 box and enter 100 in the Ext: I & J boxes. (This is how farthe wall extends past the grids that it is inserted).

Click on the Insertion Options icon and select the wall to be centrally placed on the grid

Insert the wall by clicking and dragging from the start grid C/2 to C/3.

Do the same at Grid D/2 to D/3 and Grid C/2 to D/2 as shown below.





44

Building the Model

Creating Beams


The beam along Grid B/1-6 is to be placed in the centre of Grid B so that the b2 dimension is half of the b dimension,

Ensure this by clicking on the icon this will automatically set the b2 dimension to 150mm as shown above left.

The beam is positioned at Grid B/1-6 by left clicking and dragging from the start of Grid B/1 and releasing when your

cursor is at Grid B/6 so that 4 beams are entered as shown below.

I / Shear Area / hf / bf and E – These will all be calculated automatically

based on the Material Properties / Beam Size and the connecting slabs for

the calculation of the flanges.

Note:Like the columns, the beams are automatically labelled based on the storey and numbered sequentially as they are

entered.

Orion has automatically split the beam into four individual members between the columns.



45

Building the Model

Creating Beams


Now enter some more beams in the following order of same size at the following locations:

From To Beam Size

D/1 D/6 300 x 600

E/1 E/5 300 x 600

2/A 2/C 300 x 600

4/A 4/F 300 x 600

1/A 1/F 300 x 600

5/A 5/F 300 x 600

6/B 6/D 300 x 600

So your screen should look as shown on the next page.



46

Building the Model

Creating Beams


Note: A beam will not be placed where a wall already exists. A beam was not placed at Grid D/2-3 because of this.

The perimeter beams along the top and bottom edges are only 250mm wide and 800 deep. Enter them as indicated

in the table below ensuring they are placed centrally on the grid:

From To Beam Size

F/1 F/5 250 x 800

A/1 A/5 250 x 800

A *** Slender Section*** warning message should appear, click on OK to accept and your screen should look as

follows.





48

Building the Model

Creating Beams


Hint:

Have you missed out any

of the beams?

Take a look at theStructure Tree - It should

indicate 37 beams.

Note: When you place the beams between C/3 and C/5 you will see a message about sub-dividing these beams with the

beam running along axis 4 – Click Yes to sub-divide

1st

Storey Beam Layout



49

Building the Model

Creating Slabs


2.6 Creating Slabs

2.6.1 Exercise Aims

Creating 2 way spanning Slabs

Creating Cantilever Slabs

2.6.2 Creating 2 Way Spanning Slabs

For Beam and Column construction, slabs can be designed based off the co-efficient method in the code. Other methods of

design are considered later.

Select the Slab icon or from Member/Slab.

We will now enter the slabs at the 1st

storey.

In the Slab Properties enter the slab thickness h to be 120 and the cover to be 25 , all dimensions are in mm.

Then click on the Loads tab and enter an Additional Dead Load of 1.2kN/m2 and in the Imp. Load box do a right

mouse click and select a value of 1.5kN/m2.

Enter the 1st

slab by positioning the cursor between Grid A-B/1-2, then left click the mouse.

Your 1st

slab 1S1 should appear as below including the yield line for the slab load distribution.

Note – Current loading method assumed to be the Yield Line Method

Note: The self weight is calculatedautomatically depending on the slab thickness.

Returning to the General tab, click on the Type

box and all the possible Slab Types will appear

in pop up menu as shown below.

The slab type relates to table 3.14 in the code

and is used to obtain correct reinforcement

values, based on the coefficient method. For

ease in creating this model we will initially

leave the Slab Types as 1. Once all the slabs

have been created the program can be made

to automatically calculate the correct type for

each slab.



50

Building the Model

Creating Slabs


Repeat this process to define two more 120 thick slabs as follows:

Region Thickness (mm) Dead Load (kN/m) Live Load (kN/m)

A/2 – B/4 120 1.2 1.5

A/4 – B/5 120 1.2 1.5

So now your screen should look as follows:

Now enter some 150 thk slabs which have the same Additional Dead Load as the existing ones but are to have an

Imp. Load of 3kN/m2

Region Thickness (mm) Dead Load (kN/m) Live Load (kN/m)

C/3 – D/4 150 1.2 3.0

C/4 – D/5 150 1.2 3.0

D/4 – E/5 150 1.2 3.0

E/3 – F/4 150 1.2 3.0

E/4 –F/5 150 1.2 3.0

B/5 – D/6 150 1.2 3.0





52

Building the Model

Creating Slabs


So now your screen should look as follows:



53

Building the Model

Creating Slabs


2.6.3 Setting Slab Types Automatically

To automatically set the slab types in accordance with table 3.14 proceed as follows:

Clear any members that are currently selected by clicking on the Clear Selection Set icon

Right mouse click on the Slabs folder in the Structure Tree and select Set Slab Types Automatically as shown below

The Slab Type Determination dialog appears as shown below:

Click on OK to proceed

Click on OK once more.

Note – For continuity of the slab type

to be considered, the adjoining slab

edge must be 70% or greater in

length.

Note – This message confirms how

many slabs are in the model, how

many of them have openings and

displays the Slab Type that has been

assigned to them.





55

Building the Model

Creating Slabs


So you can see from this that b-slab controls the width of the cantilever and d controls how far from the start insertion

point the cantilever slab is positioned. This then allows you to control the size of the cantilever slabs easily.

Hint?? Have you missed out any of the slabs?

Take a look at the Structure Tree - it should be indicating 16 slabs.



56

Building the Model

Creating Slabs


2.6.5 Additional Slab Information

Rel. Level

This allows a step in the slab, however if the relative difference in elevations will cause a separation in diaphragms, then try

using plane definitions.

Slab Additional Load Library

It is possible to set up some default Slab Additional Loads by going to Member > Slab Additional Loads Library. This allows

you to set what materials are being used for a particular slab area and automatically works out the load this would impart.

These can then be saved and quickly applied as Additional Slab Loads using the drop down menu on the Loads tab in the Slab

Properties window.





58

Building the Model

Using Tables to Edit Multiple Members


2.8 Using Tables to Edit Multiple Members

2.8.1 Exercise Aims

Changing properties of multiple members in one go by using the member tables

2.8.2 Changing Properties of Multiple Members

To demonstrate this function we shall change the slab thickness of all the slabs in the model.

Clear any previous selections by clicking on the Clear Selection Set icon

Right click and choose Member Tables > Slab Table

This same option is available from Member > Member Tables > Slab Table.

The Slab Table should now appear as shown, containing all of the slabs. From here it is possible to change either the property

of an individual member in the table or update a property of all the members at the same time.

Highlight the column, h as shown by clicking on the label at the top of the column.





60

Building the Model

Wall Loads and Additional Beam Loads


2.9 Wall Loads and Additional Beam Loads

2.9.1 Exercise Aims

Apply Beam Wall Loads

Apply Additional Beam Loads

2.9.2 Apply Beam Wall Loads

Select the beam at the right end of grid F , right click and choose Edit Beam Wall Load

Define a Reference Name of Brick Wall

Enter a Wall Unit Weight of 3.8kN/m

Enter a Wall Height of 3.4m

Enter a Wall Thickness of 0.2m

Click on OK and the beam is shown hatched, indicating it has a Brick Wall

load applied

Note: Slab loads will be automatically applied to beams based on the default Slab Loads Calculation Method. For this

example, this is currently set as the Yield Line Method.



61

Building the Model



To apply the same wall load to the other perimeter beams proceed as follows:

Right mouse click on the same beam again and this time choose Copy Beam Wall Load

Using the Pick icon, select the remaining perimeter beams, remembering to keep the CTRL key held while selecting, so

that each one is added to the existing selection set

When the entire perimeter beams are selected, right click again and this time, choose Paste Copied Beam Loads fromthe menu

When prompted by the below message, click Yes to apply the beam wall load to the beams

All beams will now be hatched in the

same colour to show the loads have

been applied.

Hint?? If you have difficulty selecting the beams try this:

From the Layer Tool Bar at the left edge of the screen click on the Axis Layer Group icon. This will

temporarily switch off the display of the grid lines.

Now use the Pick icon to select the beams

When all the beams are selected remember to switch the grid lines back on by clicking on the Axis Layer

Group icon once more.





63

Building the Model



The three icons at the top of the Load Profile Editor allow you to

add Uniformly Distributed Loads, Partially Distributed Loads and

Point Loads respectively.

Click on the Partial Distributed Load icon and then click

on the Load Editor button.

Click on the partial uniform load icon as shown.

Enter the distance, x to the start of the load as 1m

Enter the run of load, a as 2m

Enter the load intensity, P as G = 4kN/m and Q = 3kN/m

Click on OK

The load should be drawn as follows:

If desired, type a label for the load then click onOK

This additional manually entered load is shown on the T0

diagram as below

Click on OK



64

Building the Model



To view the ‘Total Added Loads’ on the beams in the plan view, go

to Settings > View Settings and click on the Beams tab

Left click to tick the box Print Total Added Loads

This will now display the Total Added Loads in the plan view next to every

beam, as shown in the image at the bottom of this page.

You will notice that the settings to control the Beam Hatching are

also found in this view

Set your preferred Hatch Colour by clicking the Select Hatch

Colour button

Try switching between Beams With Wall Loading (to hatch the

perimeter beams) and Beams With User Defined Loading to

hatch beam 1B30.

Click on OK



65

Building the Model

Generating a 3D View of the Model and Creating Additional Storeys


2.10 Generating a 3D View of the Model and Creating Additional Storeys

2.10.1 Exercise Aims

Generate a 3D View of the Model

Inserting Additional Floors

Copying Storey Data from one floor to another

Editing the Storey Height

2.10.2 Generating/Manipulating a 3D View

The building currently consists of only one floor. To complete the analysis model we shall generate additional floors. To assist

in this process a 3D view of the model can be created.

A 3D view of the model can be obtained which will allow you to choose different layouts of Plan view (P) and 3D view (3)

windows. It is possible to create different 3D views in different windows.

From the Window menu select the Tile Vertical

Note: Alternatively, the Plan/3D View tab at the bottom of the screen can be used to cascade & tile the different windows



66

Building the Model



The 3D View can be manipulated in a number of ways:

Left click on the 3D View window to make it active

Zoom - Scroll the scroll wheel on your mouse and will zoom in to the centre of the model.

Pan - Depress the scroll wheel on your mouse and then moving the cursor around the screen.

Rotate - Hold down the right mouse button and moving the cursor around the screen. The model will rotate about its centre

point.

There is also a toolbar at the bottom of the 3D view that allows much more manipulation of the view.

You can also model in 3D by being able to Insert, Edit and Delete elements in the same manner as in the 2D view.

Plan

View

Filters

Zoom

Functions

Window

Views

Regen

View

Settings

Animation/

Save Image



67

Building the Model



2.10.3 Inserting Additional Floors

Now we will generate an additional 3 floors, so the model will become a 4 storey building. This is a two step process. Firstly,

we must insert the additional storeys

Right click on Storeys in the Structure Tree to display the Storey Menu

Choose Insert storey, or alternatively go to Building > Insert Storey.

Enter the Total Number Of Storeys as 4 , so we get the following view



68

Building the Model



2.10.4 Copying Floor Data to Other Floors

The model now has 4 storeys, but as can be seen, it does not contain any members in

the plan view.

Right click on Storeys in the Structure Tree to display the Storey Menu and

select the option Generate storey (or go to Building > Generate Storey ) sothe Generate Storey window appears

Highlight St01 as the Source Storey and then St04 as the Target Storey.

Then click on OK .

Once you get the message ‘Process Completed’ at the bottom of this window,

select Close

From the Structure Tree you will see that St01 & St04 have a circle mark next to them but St02 & St03 don’t have this mark.

Floors with a mark are classed as ‘Unique’ and have their own storey information (beams,columns, walls etc). Floors without a mark next to them are classed as ‘Duplicates’ and are

automatically made identical to the first Unique Storey directly above it. Therefore, only

‘Unique’ storeys can be edited. Hence storeys St02 & St03 are duplicates of St04. This is

highlighted by the Storey Reference in brackets.

Whatever changes are made to the Unique Floor will be carried through its Duplicates.

Therefore, if we were to edit St04 now, the same changes would be applied to the Duplicates St03 and St02.

We want to edit St04 (the roof) but keep the other floors below it the same as they are now. Therefore, we need to first

generate the same storey information from the St04 to St03 then modify the 4th

storey accordingly.

So we can do this as follows:

Right click on Storeys in the Structure Tree to display the Storey Menu and select the option Generate storey .

Ensure that the source storey is St04 and the Target Storey St03 then choose OK

Once the process is complete, click Close

From the Structure Tree you will see that St03 now has a circle mark next to it indicating that

it is a unique and editable floor, as are St01 and St04.

St02 cannot be edited, as it is identical to St03.

2.10.5 Moving between Storeys

The current storey displayed in the plan view will be shown in bold on the Storey menu in the Structure Tree. To change to a

different storey, simply double click on it in the Structure Tree.

If you are not currently viewing storey 4, double click on Storey: St04 so that it is shown in bold (as shown on the

right)



69

Building the Model



2.10.6 Editing the Roof

Select the Slab icon or from the Pull Down menu select Member > Slab.

Select the Slab Type to be 1 and ensure the thickness is 200mm and the cover 25mm.

Then enter the slab where the lift wall is at Grid 2-3/C-D

So your screen should look as follows:

2.10.7 Editing the Storey Height

We will now edit the storey height as currently each floor is 3300mm high based on the 1st

storey generated earlier.

Select Edit Storey from the storey menu or by going to Building > Edit Storey so the Edit Storey dialog box appears as

shown below.

To change a floor height, click in the cell for h(mm) at the desired storey, St01



70

Building the Model



Change the current value of 3300 to be 4000 . Click outside the cell and you should notice the values in the Level

column have changed as shown below.

1st

Storey Bottom Level – This is effectively the Z co-ordinate for ST00. This does not affect the storey heights of any level

and is only used to calculate the reference level for each floor (shown in the ‘Level’ column in the table above).

Foundation Level –This is the length of the column below the datum level (St00), by Default 1100m

2.10.8 Specifying Imposed Load Reductions for Each Floor

The Edit Storey dialog is used to apply imposed load reductions

to a model. You can also specify whether you want to consider

the roof level.

Tick the option to Consider Roof Level as Adequate Storey

for Live Load Reductions

Click the Apply button to apply the appropriate Imposed

Load Reduction factors to each level

Click OK







73

Analysing the Structure

Pre-Analysis


3.1 Pre-Analysis

3.1.1 Exercise Aims

Set up the Project Parameters and Loading and selecting the Materials

Define the Analysis Settings

3.1.2 Pre-Analysis Tab - Parameters, Loading and Materials

From the Run menu choose Building Analysis.

This should then display the Analysis Form.

As you can see, the Pre-Analysis Tab allows you to set up the Project Parameters, edit the Loading and Load Combinations

and select your Materials. These features will be discussed in more detail but the trainer, but are also covered extensively in

the Orion Help System.



74


Pre-Analysis


The Parameters button allows the user to set/modify the Project Parameters. These include:

Codes: Select which design codes you are working to

Lateral Loading: Decide how your Notional Horizontal Forces are calculated

Lateral Drift: Decide if the structure is braced or unbraced





76


Pre-Analysis


The Edit Storey Loads button can be used to view and, if required, modify the lateral load cases applied at each storey. You

can also view the Mass and co-ordinates for the Centre of Gravity for each level. The notional lateral loads are calculated

automatically once the Building Analysis is complete.

The Edit Materials button can be used to view the concrete and steel grades selected for each member group and the steel

bars available for the design for each element group. You can also specify the Unit Weight of Concrete and Blocks and set

the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion.

Click the Edit Materials button on the Pre-Analysis Tab so the following screen appears.





78


Pre-Analysis


This will set all structural members to have Grade 500 (Type 2) Steel for their reinforcement.

Check that you have the unit weight of concrete set to 24kN/m3 before proceeding.

Click the Bar Sizes button adjacent to Columns.

You will notice some bars have been selected by default. Bars can be unselected by clicking on them to remove the tick

(similarly click to select).

Note: If you do not select a particular bar size here, that size will NOT be available for selection in the design processlater. For example, if you only ticked H16 in this window, only H16s could be used to design the Columns later.



79


Pre-Analysis


Make sure the selected bars are H10, H12, H16, H20, H25 and H32

Click OK to go back to the materials tab, then review (and modify if desired) the bar diameters to be used for beams,

slabs etc.

Note: You may prefer to modify the bars to select from. Some bars are only available in Europe and others in Asia.

However, these training notes are based on the above bar sizes - if you make changes the member designs may differ

from the manual.



80


Pre-Analysis


3.1.3 Model Options Tab – Model Analysis Settings

Click on the Model Options tab

The model options shown here are fully described in the Engineer’s Handbook, found from the Help Menu.

Automated generation of Rigid Zones (where beams frame in to columns/walls) is an advanced feature within Orion. Setting

Rigid Zones to Maximum, or Reduced by 25% creates a more realistic model of the beam/column interface which reduces the

design moments within the beams.

Click on the Stiffnesses tab.

None – Centreline moments used

for design. No Rigid Arms.

Reduced –Mom generated 25%

from the perimeter of the section

Maximum – Moments at the face

are used for the design. Rigid arms

extend to the section perimeters

(100%).

Diagram Shown with

MAXIMUM Rigid Arms



81


Pre-Analysis


On this page, the engineer can globally adjust the properties to be used for each member type.

No changes will be made, click on Settings tab.

Total Hor. Drift Limit – This check is for the maximum total allowable displacement, which is checked at every storey level.

12000mm * 0.0010 = 12mm

Relative Hor. Drift Limit – This check is in accordance with BS 8110: Part 2 and is the maximum relative displacementbetween each storey. 3300mm * 0.002 = 6.6mm

These checks are performed for the NHF’s, Nx and Ny

Tick the option Use Decomposed Beam Loads

Note: For flat slab models there is an option to use undecomposed slab loads for the notional horizontal load calculation.

See later notes.

Note: The torsional stiffness factor has been set to 0.01 for the beams to prevent significant torsions from developing.





83


Performing the Analysis


Choose All Storeys and then click on the Ok button.

Note: Even if this reports no errors, it doesn’t guarantee that the building is modelled correctly. There can be other problems

in the model that are not picked up by the validity checking process.

Assuming that no errors are reported, Cancel the dialog

During the Building Analysis, the Beam Load Calculations (All Storeys) are completed (based upon your loading method –

currently Yield Line). The slab loads are distributed onto the supporting beams; all the load data is assessed; the weights and

mass centres of each storey are calculated and any notional lateral loads are determined.

After analysis it is then possible to automatically perform Column/Wall Reinforcement Design and Beam Reinforcement

Design for all members in the building.

Make sure Column/Wall Reinforcement Design and Beam Reinforcement Design are not checked before clicking on

Start to begin the building analysis process.

The Beam Load Calculations commence and a warning message should be displayed.

Click Yes and the analysis process continues and then OK when the Analysis has completed.





85




Point of Application

Notional Horizontal Forces

CofG = Centre of GravityCofG

Floor PlanNy

Nx

Sheet Origin(0,0)14.070m

17.333m



86


Post-Analysis


3.3 Post-Analysis

3.3.1 Cross Checking the Analysis Result

An important cross check on the validity of the analysis is the Axial Load Comparison Report . This report sums all of the deadand live loads applied at each storey and displays the axial forces in the columns and shear walls. These values should equate

to each other (within a few percent). If they do not the reason for the discrepancy should be investigated.

Go back to the Analysis tab

Select Axial Load Comparison Report

The total “SUM OF APPLIED LOADS (Using Un-Decomposed Slab Loads)” values should be similar to those from the

Decomposed Slab Loads table.

Provided that any difference between the un-decomposed and the decomposed values can be accounted for, the Total

Decomposed Applied Dead Load should be compared with the Total Delta G value from the “BUILDING ANALYSISCOLUMN/WALL AXIAL LOADS” table. Similarly, the Total Decomposed Live Load should then be compared with the Total

Delta Q value.

Any significant differences in these values also have to be able to be accounted for.

If required the report can be printed, or it can be saved for later inclusion in a batch print out of all reports created by the

program.

Click on Save See following page for an example of the Axial Load Comparison report

Summary – For Beam and Column Construction

CHECK 1

Sum of Un-decomposed Slab Loads ~ Sum of Decomposed Slab Loads

CHECK 2

Total Decomposed Applied Dead Load ~ Total Delta G

CHECK 3

Total Decomposed Applied Live Load ~ Total Delta Q





88


Post-Analysis


3.3.2 Model and Analysis Results Display

The Analysis results can also be viewed graphically. Various effects can be displayed and the results can be filtered by axis

and by storey.

Click on the Post-Analysis tab

Click Model and Analysis Results Display

If too many labels are displayed the screen can appear cluttered as shown above. However, using the various drop-down

filter buttons and the view settings, you can create something more meaningful.



89


Post-Analysis


Click the various filter buttons to create different views. You can use the ribbons to choose what you want to show,

and then the button can be toggled on and off.

Above from the Elements ribbon we have selected the Nodal Points and the Frame Elements filters.

By clicking on the General Ribbon and selecting the Filters button, you can filter by storeys, axes and member type, as shown

above.

You can also do a Search for specific nodes, frame elements or shell elements by clicking on the binoculars icon, to the left of

the filters button, as shown below.

A large arrow will point at the item you have searched for. This is useful if the Building Analysis reports conditions with

certain nodes.



90


Post-Analysis


There are further filtering and setting options found in the View Settings window, situated on the left hand side of the

screen:

Below is a view of the model showing the displacement, using the Displacements filter from the Results Ribbon. The X values

have also been displayed, and the displacement scale has been increased.



91


Post-Analysis


This next view shows the frame loads and values for storey 4 only.

All results displayed are based on the specific Load Case or Load Combination selected in the Loading Window on the right

hand side of the scree drop down menu.



92


Post-Analysis


3.3.3 Analysis Output Reports (for information only)

The next stage is to prepare a report of the analysis results.

Select Analysis Results Report so the following dialog box appears

Expand Storey 1 and highlight Columns and Walls by holding down CTRL as shown

Click on the button to transfer all the columns and walls to the right hand side

Click Next and on the next screen select Structural Members





94


Post-Analysis


Sign Convention

Positive Definition of Member

Forces





96


Post-Analysis


From the Analysis Form, a formatted version of the report could be generated by selecting “Structural Member Results” from

the Output Reports drop down menu. This could then be printed directly or saved to a file using the commands on the File

menu.

Apart from the Building Analysis Results, various other reports are also available.

Click on the Model Export tab

This area allows you to export your Orion model to various other programs – such as S-Frame - so you can investigate it

further without having to create a new model for each program.

Click on the Reports tab.

As we have seen, the analysis results report is available on the Post-Analysis tab, however all of the other detailed output

reports are available from here, For example:

Pre-analysis checks report: - a basic summary of the model input.

Post Analysis Checks Report: - the horizontal displacement (drift) checks (Total and Relative).

Analysis Model Echo Report:- the full analysis input data file.

Storey Displacements Report : Orion calculates the displacements in the x and y directions and torsion for each load

combination for each storey.

Sway Classification Report: This report is based upon ACI code recommendations, and is not applicable if braced conditions

have been manually amended. This option should only be used with cross reference to the ACI code.

Beam Load Analysis Report : contains the beam loads.

Each of these reports can be printed, or saved for later inclusion in a batch print out of all reports created by the program.

They can also be exported to a variety of different file formats.



97

Beam Reinforcement

Post-Analysis


4.0 Beam Reinforcement

Beam Reinforcement Design





99

Beam Reinforcement

Beam Reinforcement Design


4.1 Beam Reinforcement Design

4.1.1 Exercise Aims

Review of Beam Design Settings

Designing all Beams using Batch Mode

Interactive Beam Design

Creating the Beam Elevation Drawings

4.1.2 Beam Design Settings and Parameters

Prior to performing the design it is recommended that you take time to consider the various settings and parameters that

can be used to control it. Judicious use of these settings can have a big impact on the economy and practicality of the

resulting design. These settings can be set up and saved as part of your Template, so you can automatically start with the

same Beam Design Settings for every model.

Go to Settings > Beam Design Settings > Storey Beam Settings

4.2 Designing all Beams using Batch ModeWe will now design all the beams using the Batch Mode feature.

Go to Run > Beam Section Design and Detailing > Storey Beams

The Beam Design Settings can also be found in the Settings drop down menu in this window.

Design ribbon > Design Panel > Beam Reinforcement Design (Batch Mode).

A brief overview of the options will be given by your trainer, but for further information regarding these settings please

refer to the extensive Help system. The subsequent beam designs were undertaken with the Default Settings for the ‘UK

(BS8110)’ Template.





101

Beam Reinforcement

Designing all Beams using Batch Mode


4.2.1 Graphical Review of Passing / Failing Members

It is possible to review the design status of all members graphically. This is done by clicking on the Design Status tab located

at the bottom of the Structure tree view.

Close the beam design summary and click the Design Status tab as shown.

Any failing beams would be highlighted in red

Select Run > Beam Section Design and Detailing > Storey Beams to redisplay the beam design summary.



102

Beam Reinforcement



4.3 Interactive Beam DesignUsing the filter command, beams can be filtered by storey or member label, or only failed beams can be listed.

Click on the filter icon

Filter to display only the Storey 1 beams.

Only Storey 1 beams are now displayed.

4.3.1 Utilisation Ratios

The beam design summary includes an utilisation ratio. This is the ratio of As_required/As_provided. Hence, if the utilization

ratio is greater than one, then at least one of the beams on the axis is failing because it has insufficient area of steel.

If the utilization ratio is less than one but the beams are still failing this will probably be because:

The beams have insufficient width to accommodate reinforcement required

Or, the deflection is too great.



103

Beam Reinforcement



4.3.2 The Axis and Beam Information Editor

Scroll down to locate the beam line on Axis F at storey 1, Part 1 and double click on it, or highlight it and choose

Design Ribbon > Design Panel > Interactive Design

The Axis and Beam Data window opens showing the beam dimensions and supports along axis F at storey 1.

The Beam Ribbon > Interactive Design Icon shows design forces used to determine the required area of steel for the

highlighted beam. Six values are shown representing the factored left and right end moments and the mid span moments at

the top and the bottom of the beam. The left and right design shear force is shown also.

Click on the Interactive Design button.

Click on OK to exit without changing the design forces.

Note: If the beam size is too small, changing the values displayed here can amend it . However, the Graphical Editor will

need to be updated manually also.

Note: The user can manually edit the above design forces by simply typing over the displayed values. If this is done the

Effects Manually Edited box would automatically become checked. If subsequently the box is unchecked, the values

would revert to those that had been calculated by the analysis.



104

Beam Reinforcement



4.3.3 The Reinforcement Data Screen

To review and modify the reinforcement provided by the batch design, click Select Bars. This should then display the

Reinforcement Data screen similar to below:

Any figures in red indicate a problem. In this case there aren’t any problems. However, if the number of top span bars are

reduced for 1B18, a spacing issue is highlighted in red, as shown above. Settings that can be adjusted to try to obtain a

design include number of bars, bar diameter, lap lengths, cranks and layers. These will be discussed further in a short while.

4.3.4 Beam Detail Drawings

The above bar pattern is referred to as Standard Pattern 2. To see the beam detail drawing for it, click on the Detail Drawing

button.

Standard Pattern 2



105

Beam Reinforcement



4.3.5 Standard Bar Patterns

The program has four standard patterns each of which is fully described in the Engineer’s Handbook.

The different patterns can be tried by clicking on the drop down menu to the right of the Select Bars button as shown below.

Try this now to investigate the other bar arrangements, make use of the Beam Details button to see the differences betweeneach pattern.

Standard Pattern 1

Standard Pattern 3

Bent Up Bar Pattern

Reselect the bars based on Standard Pattern 2



106

Beam Reinforcement



4.3.6 Modifying the Number and Size of Bars

You can amend the bars provided by left clicking onto any of the reinforcement labels then use the left scroll bars to

increase/decrease the number of bars and the right scroll bars to increase/ decrease the bar sizes. The extra area of steel As,

the bar spacing s-Bar, and the deflection check are all automatically updated. Values shown in red indicate problems.

Modify the bar layout for 1B18 to return the top bars to 3H16. This will change the spacing to 73mm, which is

greater than the minimum of 50mm but less than the maximum 140mm, as per the Beam Design Settings.

Alternatively you could amend the maximum bar spacing value in the Beam Design Settings.

4.3.7 Bar Layers

Additional layers of steel can be manually added by clicking underneath the main bars already placed.

Change the Top bar for 1B17 to 2H25 – insufficient steel is now provided for the support

Click beneath the Top Bar on 1B17, on the line for Sup.Top Bar

Add 2H25 bars

This will cause an s-Bar (top) spacing error.

With these support bars still selected and click on the Bar Layer Tool to change to bars at layer 2 as shown below:



107

Beam Reinforcement



Bars placed in layer 2 are shown as dotted lines as shown.

Shown below is the amended beam detail.



108

Beam Reinforcement



4.3.8 Modifying bar curtailment

The Steel Bar Characteristics toolbar can also be used to amend the bar curtailment.

Click on the 2H16 Top Bars in 1B19 and change the right end for them by clicking on Extend Right to Short

The effect of this is shown as a shortfall in the required area of steel at the right hand end of the beam. As shown below.

Return to the original curtailment setting by changing back to Extend Right to Lap

4.3.9 Beam Loading and Force Diagrams

To see the loading and forces, click on the Diagrams button.

Below are the Load, Shear and Moment diagrams for the Design Envelope. All load cases and combinations are also

available using the drop down arrow next to the Diagrams button.



109

Beam Reinforcement



Exit from the diagrams then click on OK to store the interactively designed bar arrangement for this axis.

Important Note: In the Reinforcement Data screen, if you click OK to store a beam while there is still a bar spacingwarning, the program interprets your action to mean that you have made an engineering decision to treat the current bar

spacing as acceptable. Provided the utilization ratio is less than 1.0 the beam would now be given a PASS status.



110

Beam Reinforcement



4.4 Creating the Beam Elevation Drawings

After designing the Storey Beams we will now create some Beam Schedule drawings.

4.4.1 Putting All Beams onto a Single Sheet Automatically

From the Detail Drawings ribbon > Detail Drawings Panel > Automatic Details Drawings All Axis (Single Sheet)

Click on All Storeys (Single Sheet) and OK to accept 1 beam axis across the width of the drawing sheet

All the beams are placed onto a single sheet and a table of quantities is created as shown below

The new CAD Productivity Booster is implemented for all drawings created in Orion, i.e. beam details, column details and

schedules, slab layout details etc. The DXF’s created are opened directly in the 3rd party cad editor or viewer of your choice;

this can be specified via the new CAD Editor tab on the General Settings dialog from the Settings Menu



111

Column and Wall Reinforcement



5.0 Column and Wall Reinforcement

Column and WallReinforcement Design





113


Column &b Wall Reinforcement Design


5.1 Column &b Wall Reinforcement Design

5.1.1 Exercise Aims

Assigning Design Parameters

Designing all Columns & Walls using Batch Mode

Rationalising the Steel Bars

Creating a Column Schedule

Creating an Output Report

5.1.2 Column Design Settings and Parameters

As with the beam design settings, judicious use of the column design settings can have a big impact on the economy and

practicality of the design.

Go to Settings > Column Design Settings

5.2 Designing all Columns using Batch ModeColumns and walls can be designed individually, or all in one go using the batch mode option.

Go to Run > Column Section Design so the following screen appears.

Choose Design Ribbon > Column Design ( Batch Mode) in Column Design Reinforcement window

A brief overview of the options will be given by your trainer, but for further information regarding these settings please

refer to the extensive Help system. The subsequent column designs were undertaken with the Default Settings from the

‘UK (BS8110)’ Template.



114


Designing all Columns using Batch Mode


Ensure your settings are as shown above, and then choose Design.

After the design is complete you could click on the Messages button to review the bars selected for each column for

each combination.

Then choose Close to take you back to the Column Reinforcement Design window.

The same ‘traffic light’ system used for the Column Design Status: Green Tick – Pass, Red Cross – Fail, Yellow Tick –

Results are not up to date for this element.

Note: A very low utilisation ratio can be displayed for some columns if the minimum steel is sufficient.



115




5.2.1 Creating a Column Schedule

From the Detail Drawings Ribbon > choose Column Schedule.

Choose some columns to be placed on the schedule as shown. (Hold the Ctrl key down while selecting).

Click onDraw

to create the schedule.

Close the schedule and cancel to return to the Column Reinforcement Design window.



116




5.2.2 Creating a Column Output Report

The columns to be included in the report are marked by a blue tick in the Print column. Columns can be added or removed

from the report using a combination of the icons Mark for Printing, (F7) Mark All Columns for Printing (Ctrl+F7) and Clear All

Print Marks (Shift+F7).

Ensure all columns are marked for printing.

From the Design Ribbon > Reports Panel, choose Design Report .

The Report can be sent direct to a printer, or it can be saved for later inclusion in a batch print out of all reports created by

the program. It can also be saved in PDF format for sending to other computers on which the Orion program is not loaded.

Click on Save

Close the report and return to the Column Reinforcement Design window.

The ‘Column Reinforcement Design’ window can also be printed using the Print Column Report icon.



117




This report can then be printed.



118




5.2.3 Creating a Foundation Loads Report

This report is created from within the Column Design Module. The report can consist of forces in all columns or only those at

foundation level.

From the Design Ribbon > Report Panel, choose Column Forces Listing.

A dialog appears as shown allowing the user to configure the report as required. The List button will create the report in

WordPad, from where it can then be printed.

Click Close to return to the Column Design Module.



119


Interactive Column Design


5.3 Interactive Column Design

5.3.1 Exercise Aims

Understanding the Column Design Editor

Designing Rectangular Column

Column Slenderness

Column Interaction Diagrams

Manually Modifying the Bar Sizes

Fixing the Bar Layout

Link Arrangement

Shear Design

Manually editing the column size

Biaxial bending vs BS 8110-Cl 3.8.4.5 design

Designing the Wall

5.3.2 Understanding the Column Design Editor

To access the column design editor you must first select one of the columns.

Locate column 1C2 in the table

Either Double click on the column, or choose from the Design Ribbon select the Interactive Design icon , so the

Column Design Editor is launched

Column 1C2 is now ready for design as shown below.



120




The Column Design Editor screen contains the following information:

The combination highlighted ‘red’ is the critical design combination.

Section:

Section dimensions include the dimensions of the column (“b1” and “b2”), the eccentricities (“e1” and “e2”), the column

clear lengths (“L1” and “L2”), and the concrete cover. If you modify these fields, you have to click the “Update” button to apply the changes.

Bending:

Column design can be performed under uni-axial or biaxial bending. According to the member type, dimensions and member

forces, Orion selects the bending type automatically. But, the user can change the selection by clicking another option before

the design procedure.

Load Combinations Table:

The program will always design for all load combinations. At the end of the design it will highlight the critical combination.

Member force results from each load combination during the Building Analysis procedure are listed in a table.

Load Combination Load combination used in the Building Analysis

N Axial force result from the load combination displayed on the same line.

M1 Bending moment in local 1 direction (bending around Dir 2 axis)

M2 Bending moment in local 2 direction (bending around Dir 1 axis)

In the design procedure, member force results from each load combination will be tried one by one. The critical combination

will be identified and used to select the reinforcement area.

Reinforcements Table:

This table contains several items of information:

1. Steel Bars

According to the steel area required, bar sizes are selected by the program automatically. The user can then modify

the selected bar sizes by considering the steel area required.

2. Required AsAfter design the steel area required will be displayed at the bottom of the table.

3. Supplied As

When the design procedure is completed, the steel area supplied will be displayed at the bottom of the

Reinforcements table.

4. Links

You can view the links selected for the current column in the “Links” page.

5. Shear Design

Shear forces on the section and the links provided are displayed in the “Shear Design” page.

6. Slenderness

This page can be used to indicate the column as braced in one or both directions.

7. Settings

General settings associated with the text.



121




5.3.3 Designing Rectangular Column

Select Interactive Design to perform the reinforcement design

The Column Reinforcement Design window should now be as shown below.

By selecting the Design Report option, the design for an individual column can be viewed.

Note: Because the BS8110 method is used the neutral axis will be horizontal or vertical depending on which axis has the

greater design moment. If the Bi-axial design method had been used the neutral axis would be at an angle



122




Choose Close to exit back to the Column Design Editor.

The column has been designed using 10H12 bars and Combination 3 is the most critical.



123




5.3.4 Column Slenderness

A column may be considered braced in a given plane if lateral stability to the structure as a whole is provided by walls or

bracing designed to resist all lateral forces in that plane. If you check the User Defined Bracing for Columns and Walls option

in the Project Parameters form, then you can specify the bracing condition for the X and Y directions manually. Otherwise

Orion checks the bracing for each direction automatically based on the drift of the storey levels. In both situations, you can

change the bracing condition for a column on the Slenderness tab. The beta value is determined separately for braced andunbraced columns and additional moments will be calculated accordingly.

Click on the Slenderness tab in the Reinforcements table.

The column is currently set as braced and because it is being classified as short, no additional moments are being added to

the initial moments.

Try un-bracing the column in the both X and Y directions and redesigning. You should find that this results in the

column being classified as slender and consequently additional moments are added. The column has now beendesigned using 10H20 bars.



124




5.3.5 Column Interaction Diagrams

After the determination of the column reinforcement, Column Interaction Diagrams can be prepared. Using the interaction

diagrams, a better understanding of the behaviour of the column can be achieved. Column interaction diagrams can be

drawn using the "Column Analysis" button.

Click on the Column Analysis button in the Column Design Ribbon at the top of the Editor.

The red line is the Dir 1 column capacity and the blue line Dir 2. Also plotted are the top and bottom moments determined

during the analysis of the building for each of the combinations. The horizontal red line indicates the axial load limit

determined by the code.

It can be seen that the design moments are very close to the moment capacity in dir 2.

The blue line on this diagram shows the M1-M2 capacities at the given axial load level.

Click on Close to return to the Editor.

Reduce the size of the bars to H10 as shown below. Note that the provided (sufficient) area is now less than the area

required.

Column

Axial

Capacity

Column

Critical Axial

Load



125




Click on the Column Analysis button once more. Note that although the analysis moments seem OK, when you

display the design moments some of the results are plotted outside the interaction line, indicating the column fails.

5.3.6 Fixing the Bar Layout

The design method is currently set to maximise the bar spacing. However, it is possible to perform the design with a fixed bar

layout.

Click on the Parameters button In the Column Design Ribbon and change the design method to Fixed Bar Layout

Method .

Click Ok

In the Steel bars table, enter the quantity for 1- int bars as “3” as shown (after changing the value ensure you click on

another cell to register the change). The bar layout is fixed, so that you obtain 3 bars in the 1-int direction.

Click Design once more.





127




5.3.8 Shear Design

Shear forces on the section and the links provided are displayed in the Shear Design tab of the Column Reinforcement Design

window. The Shear Force calculated in the Building Analysis (Vd), Concrete Shear Stress (vc’) and Limiting Shear Stress (vl) can

be viewed in this page. These values can not be edited.

Size and spacing of the links selected are displayed on the right of the page. Links for the span and for the supports are givenseparately. Size and spacing of links can be edited on this page. If you press the Calculate button after selecting a new size, a

new spacing will be calculated accordingly.

The “number of link legs” provided in each direction are given in the bottom right corner. If a standard link type is selecte d

then these numbers will be determined by the program automatically. But if you want to describe a special link, you can

write the number of link arms into these fields.

Click on OK to save the modified design for column 1C2 and return to the Column Reinforcement Design window.

5.3.9 Biaxial bending vs. BS 8.1.1.0-Cl 3.8.4.5 design

The program gives the user the option to carry out column design based on a True biaxial bending approach (referred to in

Orion as the Bressler Method). This is simply a "first principles" approach to section design - see BS8110 clauses 3.8.4.1 and3.4.4.1. This “first principles” approach is required for dealing with irregular column sections. The approach used is covered in

most concrete design text books - e.g. "Reinforced Concrete Design" 4th Edition (1990) by W.H.Mosley and J.H.Bungey.

In fact, the simplified equations and charts in BS8110 for rectangular / circular sections are all derived from this basic set of

“first principles” - see appendix A in BS8110 Part 3.

The column designs carried out so far have all been to the traditional BS 8.1.1.0- Cl 3.8.4.5 “codified” approach. Engineers

may like to use this method, as it's easy to check directly against hand-calculations, but remember you cannot use this

method for the irregular shaped columns.

Important Note: In the Column Reinforcement Design screen, if you click OK to store a column while there is still a bar

spacing warning, the program interprets your action to mean that you have made an engineering decision to treat the

current bar spacing as acceptable. Provided the utilization ratio is less than 1.0 the beam would now be given a PASS

status.





129


Designing a Wall


Select OK to confirm the design and to return to the Column Reinforcement Design list. Creating the Column

Reinforcement Plan

Return to the Plan View and go to St01.

Then select the Column Application Plan view by clicking on the tab at the bottom of

the structure tree

As you can see below, this plan allows you to see the reinforcement placed in all of the

columns and walls in a single plan view.

Select column 1C2 at Grid B/2 ,

Then right click to display the pop up menu as shown below and select Column Links.





131


Designing a Wall


Your Plan View should now look as follows:

Column Reinforcement Plan for 1st Storey

This drawing can be edited and plotted directly from here. Alternatively it can be exported as a DXF File by going to File >

Model/File Export > DXF Export.





133

Slab Design


6.0 Slab Design

Slab Design and Detailing





135

Slab Design



6.1 Slab Design and Detailing

6.1.1 Exercise Aims

Slab Design Settings

Creating Slab Reinforcement Strips Horizontal & Vertical

Creating a Slab Reinforcement Output Report

6.1.2 Slab Design Settings

As with the Beams and Columns, all settings associated with the design of slabs can be located in Settings > Slab DesignSettings.

The Design tab allows you to control the Cover, Top Steel Extension Lengths, Slab Span Lengths and the Support Band Beam

Widths.

Go to the Steel Bars tab and make sure the Steel Bar Spacing Step is set to 25mm to ensure that all bars within the

slab will be at multiples of 25mm In addition, as shown below, the bars will be spaced at no less than 100mm and no

greater than 250mm.

Additional slab steel detailing preferences are controlled via the View tab

Note: This process uses the slab coefficient method from the tables in BS8110. This is independent of the general building

analysis and can therefore be carried out before or after the general building analysis. This method takes NO account of

openings or concentrated point/line/patch loads on the slabs.



136

Slab Design



Click OK to confirm the settings specified

6.1.3 Member and Steel Bar Label Templates (Additional Info. Only)

All Slab and Steel Bar, as well as Column and Beam, labelling settings can be adjusted by going to Settings > Member and

Steel Bar Label Templates, as shown below





138

Slab Design

Create Slab Reinforcement Strips


Create another similar strip labelled X2 by repeating the process between Grids B-C/1-6.

Now a vertical strip will be inserted.

Change the Dir setting to Y to show that you are cutting a vertical strip in the

plan view.

Set the No: setting to 1 so that the strip label is Y1

Keep the At Start setting as Bob

As this strip is going to cut through the cantilever at the end, change the At

End setting to Cantilever

If you drew the strip Y1 and you received a warning message as shown below, this is

because the strip has failed to satisfy the L/d deflection check. L is calculated at exactly

the point where you cut the strip.

After creating the 3 strips your screen should look as follows:

Note: When placing strips you may encounter warning messages similar to the one above. Although the steel provided is

sufficient for strength it is failing the span/effective depth check deflection check. This problem will be resolved later by

editing the bar layout or changing the slab depth.

Note: Although only two strips have been created in the model in the X direction, strips for all slab panels / conditions

should be created to complete the floor design in both the X and the Y direction.



139

Slab Design

Create Slab Reinforcement Strips


Slab Designed to Table 3.14

6.2.1 Filtering the Display of Slab Reinforcement (for information only)

By ensuring that when drawing horizontal strips, the strip name begins with X and when

drawing vertical strips the strip name begins with Y you will have flexibility to filter the

display of X steel, Y steel, top steel or bottom steel.

Pick Settings > View Settings and click the Slabs tab.

Try switching off the Y steel and Top steel as shown.

Now change it to display the Y Bottom Steel

6.3 Editing the Bar Layout

By right clicking on a reinforcing bar you can select and load the bar properties. You can

then edit the bar spacing and diameter as well as the rebar location on the drawing.

Select the bottom bar running vertically across slab 1S13 and display its properties

as shown.

Note: This slab detail drawing can be exported to AutoCAD using the DXF export command.





141

Slab Design

Creating Slab Output


6.4 Creating Slab Output

6.4.1 Output for an Individual Slab Strip

It is possible to see the calculations for an individual strip.

Select strip X2 and then right click to display the pop-up menu.

Choose Slab Strip Check Design. This displays the calculations for

the X2 strip only.

6.4.2 Creating a Slab Output Report for the Entire Floor

Go to Run > Slab Analysis and Design









145

Flat Slabs

Flat slabs


7.1 Flat slabs

7.1.1 Exercise Aims

Creating Flat Slabs

Creating additional Storeys

Editing a Flat Slab Model

7.2 Creating the Flat Slabs in the Model

Click Open and select the model ‘Training_Course_Model_1a_R16’.

Click File > Save Project As and rename the model by adding your initials to the end – eg:

Training_Course_Model_1a_R16 _(your initials)

Flat Slabs in Orion are modelled using the Slab Icon, however

as the slabs are no longer bound by beams the Type option

will not be relevant as the flat slabs can no longer be

designed using Table 3.14 co-efficients from BS8110. For all

Flat Slabs panels they should be inserted using Type 1, the

continuity of slab edges sharing the same axis will

automatically be generated in the Finite Elements Model.



146

Flat Slabs

Creating the Flat Slabs in the Model


Before creating the slabs in a Flat Slab model it is paramount that the layout of the slab panels is given consideration, and

the following guidelines are met:-

All walls (and beams, if any) must lie on slab boundaries – Columns can sit within slab panels

Slab boundaries sharing the same grid line will be continuous in the FE model

Slab panels should be as large as possible (Lots of small panels will complicate the FE)

Slabs should have the minimum edges possible (triangle/square/rectangle). Irregular shaped panels L etc. should be

avoided if possible

There is No Right or Wrong layout for the slab panels, but by adhering to the above, slab layouts should be simple

and effective when entering the FE environment

7.2.1 Inserting the Slabs

Left Click on the Slab Icon , entering the values for a Type 1 ,

300mm thick slab with 25mm concrete cover

Left Click on the Loads Tab entering values of 0.5kN/m2 for

additional dead load and 2.5kN/m2 for imposed load

Left Click on the Insertion tab, and choose the Axis Region for

the Slab Insertion method. Note as there are no beams in the

model, the Beam Region (Default) method cannot be used.

Note: The use of the other slab insertion techniques will be introduced during the Day 2 training.

Hold down Ctrl and left click in the area bound by axis A/B, 1/2, you will see a red box appear showing the slab

perimeter



147

Flat Slabs

Creating the Flat Slabs in the Model


Continue to hold down Ctrl whilst left clicking in the area bound by axis B/C, 1/2 and C/D, 1/2, you will note the red

slab boundary increasing in size with every click

Let go of the Ctrl button and the slab will be created.

Create all the slabs on St01 , using this technique until your model has the same slab configuration as shown below:-



148

Flat Slabs

Creating Slab Loads and Openings


7.3 Creating Slab Loads and Openings

7.3.1 Slab Loads

It is possible now the slabs have been inserted into the model to create Point, Line and Patch loads directly onto the

slab. To demonstrate this we are going to place a Line Load on the perimeter of the slab.

To aid in the selection of the correct location of the line loads, it may help to switch the Axis Layer off, using

the Axis Layer Toolbar

Left Click on the Slab Load Tool, and specify a Line Load of magnitude 10kN/m for the Dead Loads only.

Left Click and drag to define the line loads around the perimeter, taking care to snap onto the slab corners.

Note: Point and Patch loads can also be applied to the slab using the same

techniques. If a dxf had been imported into this model it would be possible to

snap onto the shadow, to enable to accurately model the location of any

additional loads on the slab, such as a corridor or plant room.



149

Flat Slabs

Creating Slab Loads and Openings


As the line load has been created over more than one slab, a warning will appear asking you to confirm this was your

intention.

As we will be doing an FE Floor Analysis, click OK

Place the remainder of the loads around the perimeter, as shown below:-





151

Flat Slabs

Creating Additional Storeys


7.4 Creating Additional Storeys

7.4.1 Storey Information

As we did in this mornings exercise for a Beam and Column Structure, create a 4 storey model which has the followingparameters:-

St04 Copy of St01 excluding Slab Loads and Slab Openings

Create a Type 1 – 300mm thick slab to the top of the shear core

St03 Copy the Storey Information from St01 to St03

St02 A duplicate of Storey 3 (St03)

St01 Original Storey – No editing necessary

Storey Height for all floors is to be 4000mm

Duplicate Storeys – The use of duplicate storeys should be used wherever genuine duplicate floors exist within the model.

The benefits as explained in the Beam and Column example still exist, but also when performing the Finite Elements Load

Chase down, duplicate storeys will not need to be re-analysed, therefore speeding up the load chase down procedure.

Unique Storeys – There will always be a minimum of 3 Unique Storeys in any multi-storey structure (shown by the Blue Dot

by the side of the Storey Label in the Workspace area).

St01 – The first floor generated in the model

Top Storey

Penultimate Top Storey

Note: The top and the penultimate top storey cannot be identical, as the columns / walls at the top floor, only project

below the floor plate. Where as, the lower storeys all have columns / walls which project above & below the floor plate

which will effect the moment distribution from the slabs to the supporting elements.





153

Building Analysis for Flat Slab

Creating Additional Storeys


8.0 Building Analysis for Flat Slab





155


Building Analysis for Flat Slabs


8.1 Building Analysis for Flat Slabs

8.1.1 Exercise Aims

Model Validity Checking

Run Building Analysis - Pre-Processor

Run Building Analysis - Post-Processor

Viewing the Analysis Output Report

8.1.2 Model Options Settings

From the Run menu choose Building Analysis. This should then display the Analysis Form.

We are going to use the same settings as used for the Beam and Column example, so there is no need to make any

changes to the Parameters / Load Combinations / Material Grades , Click Model Options Model Options

Click on the Settings tab

There is a change in the settings that needs to be made

before we run the Building Analysis for a Flat Slab model

The change is for the ‘Storey Weight and Centre of Gravity’

calculations.

With the beam and column example all the slabs were

supported by beams, therefore the load could be

decomposed from the slabs to the beams. The use of

‘Decomposed Beam Loads’ could be relied upon to generatethe Storey Weight and Notional Horizontal Forces for the

structure.

However, in a Flat Slab Model no beams (or very few) exist,

therefore the ‘Undecomposed Slab Loads’ have to be used

to correctly calculate the Storey Weight and Notional

Horizontal Forces.

If the incorrect setting is made, the user could significantly

underestimate the Storey Weights and the effect of Lateral

Loads on the structure.

Slabs are not modelled in the Building Analysis, which goes some way to explaining why the Undecomposed Loads must be

used for Flat Slab Models. Slabs are replaced by a series of Diaphragms (based on the user’s settings) within the Building

Analysis, but are able to transfer gravity loads to the columns and walls.



156


Building Analysis for Flat Slabs


8.1.3 Pre-Analysis – Building Model Check

Click on Building Model Check.

This will check that the building is valid for those conditions indicated.



157




Choose All Storeys and then click on the Check button.

`

Assuming that no errors are reported, close the dialog

8.2 Performing the Analysis

8.2.1 Building Analysis

Ensure that Column/Wall Reinforcement Design and Beam Reinforcement Design are Unchecked before clicking on

Start to begin the batch analysis process.

Click Start to begin the Building Analysis Calculation , and a warning message should be displayed.

Note: During the Building Analysis, the Lateral Loads for the model will be generated. There are NO Supporting Beams

for the slab loads to be distributed onto. Therefore, ONLY THE LATERAL FORCES will be correct after the Building Analysis

has been performed.

THE GRAVITY LOADS WITHIN THE MODEL WILL BE INCORRECT, this will become apparent when viewing the ‘Axial Load

Comparison Report’.



158




The warning shown above indicates that Gravity load has gone missing. This is because there are no beams in the model for

the slab loads to decompose onto. This illustrates that an FE load chase down is always required to obtain the design forces

for the member design for flat slab models.

8.2.2 Checking the notional horizontal forces

Once the beam load calculations have been performed, the weights of each storey can be viewed and if lateral loads were

specified in the Project Parameters they can be viewed and edited. Remember these values were calculated using

‘Undecomposed Slab Loads’

Return to Pre-Analysis and select Edit Storey Loads.

Click on Cancel to leave the notional forces unchanged.



159


Post-Analysis


8.3 Post-Analysis

8.3.1 Cross Checking the Analysis Result

As we found in the previous example the Axial Load Comparison Report is a good way of investigating how the load is beingdecomposed throughout the structure.

Go back to the Analysis tab

Select Axial Load Comparison Report

The total ‘SUM OF APPLIED LOADS (Using Un-Decomposed Slab Loads)’ values should be similar to those from the

Decomposed Slab Loads table if the Building Analysis Results are to be correct. It should be clear from this report that vertical

load has gone missing; therefore the gravity results due to the Building Analysis will be meaningless. This again emphasises

the fact that an FE load chase down is required.



160


Post-Analysis


8.3.2 Model and Analysis Results Display

The Analysis results can be viewed graphically again, but the only results of any significance will be those for Lateral Loads –

NHF’s / Wind etc.

Click Model and Analysis Results Display

The diaphragms formed during the analysis can be viewed along with the Major Axis Moments and displacements for Nx or

Ny.



161


Post-Analysis


The frame sways under the lateral load case Nx as shown below:-









165

Load Chase Down

Gravity Load Chase Down Using FE Analysis


9.1 Gravity Load Chase Down Using FE Analysis

9.1.1 Exercise Aims

Finite Element Analysis Options

Plate Size & Mesh Uniformity Settings

Analysing a Single Floor

Completing a Batch Load Chase Down

Checking the results

Merging the Column Results

9.1.2 Finite Element Model Generation Options

From the Run menu choose FE Floor Analysis .

Column/Wall Model Type – There are 3 options held within this menu, but only the ‘Short Frame Model’ includes the

columns and walls within the FE analysis. This enables moments to be transferred from slab to columns/walls; this option is

also required to perform a load chase down.





167

Load Chase Down

Gravity Load Chase Down Using FE Analysis


For the purposes of this example, ensure you have the same settings, as highlighted as above

Note: For a load chase down to be successful the

structure must be analysed from the top floor

down and in sequence, but excluding duplicates ie. St04 / St03 / St01. If this sequence is not in

order when the ‘Include Upper Storey Column

Loads’ is selected, then the following Warning

will be displayed.





169

Load Chase Down

Generating/Performing the FE Analysis Model


9.2 Generating/Performing the FE Analysis Model

9.2.1 Creating the FE mesh for Analysis

Ensure you are at Storey St04 and click Floor Mesh and Analysis

Plate Element Size – The smaller the size of the plates, the more plates you have in the model and the longer the analysis will

take. We recommend a minimum of 6-8 plates is achieved between column support locations. The Default plate element size

is 800mm. This is normally sufficient to provide the minimum of 6 plates between supports but it can be increased or

decreased depending on your model.

Mesh Uniformity Factor – The higher the mesh uniformity value, the more equal in area all the plates become, with the

exception around columns for certain locations / geometry. The lower the mesh uniformity factor, the more plates there will

be, and in a much more varied size.

Note: The Stiffness Factors have been altered (0.33) to allow analysis results to be viewed for the Long Term Modulus of

Elasticity (E). Within Orion there are various ways these adjustments can be achieved (though this is the recommended

method) which will affect the results. Therefore, we will no see the above message. These techniques will be discussed

during Day 2 training, or by referring to ‘The Concrete Centre Publication – How to design reinforced concrete flat slabs

using Finite Element Analysis – O Brooker May 2006’

Note: Finite Element Analysis is ONLY used for the determination of Gravity Loads on the structure, hence ONLY G (Dead)

and Q (Imposed), will be available in the Loading pull down menu.



170

Load Chase Down



Click Generate Model with 800mm plates and Mesh Uniformity Factor of 25%

This maintains 6-8 plates between a lot of the column locations but may be a bit dense. Note the difference below for Mesh

Uniformity Settings at 100% and 25%. Alternatively, smaller plates could have been used. These settings can have a big

impact on your mesh, and hence results, so you shouldn’t just accept the defaults; always take care to try to obtain the best

mesh possible.

25% Mesh Uniformity Factor 100% Mesh Uniformity Factor

With the floor meshed with 800mm plates and 25% mesh uniformity, close the window for the analysis to complete,

then click back on the Model Preparation tab.

Note: Within the FE model, the plates have been formed around the column heads. This is due to ticking the option

within the FE Analysis Form ‘Include Column Sections in the FE Model’. Although this option allows the physical

dimensions of the columns to be modelled in the FE environment, this does rely upon a more complicated mesh being

formed around the column heads. However, it will potentially give more realistic results as it reduces the peak moments.



171

Load Chase Down



9.2.2 Performing the Batch FE Load Chase Down

Left Click on the Batch FE Chasedown

You will see as St04 has already been analysed - A green tick appears beneath the Analysis Status.

Left Click on the Shell Element Size text. Without clicking anywhere else Type 800, then hit Enter.

This will change the plate size for all floor levels to be 800mm. This can be done for all settings in the

Batch FE Chasedown Window.

Ensure the Include Slab Plates in FE Model is ticked on for all floors

Set the Mesh Uniformity Factor to be 25% (25.0)

Ensure Include Column Sections in FE Model is ticked for all floors

Set the Slab and Beam Stiffness Factors to be 0.33 for all floors

Set the Column and Wall Stiffness Coefficients to be 0.33 for all floors

Ensure the Consider Beam Torsional Stiffness is ticked for all floors



172

Load Chase Down



When complete the window should look as follows, make sure the Include Upper Storey Column Loads is ticked:

Click on OK to Proceed with the FE Batch Load Chase Down

Untick the Pause to Check Mesh at

Each Floor option. This is because we have

checked and approved the mesh at St04 ,

therefore all storeys should be satisfactory with

the settings applied in the previous window.

Note:-

Although in today’s example we are

choosing not to Pause at Check

Meshing at Each Floor, it would be

strongly recommended that this

option is left ticked for the first

analysis run so that the user can

satisfy themselves that the mesh is

adequate at every floor in the model.



173

Load Chase Down



Orion will now Load the Pre Processor, Form the mesh at each floor level, and analyse before moving down to the next floor.

This operation could be performed manually by forming the mesh and analysing each floor, and then selecting the floor level

below, excluding duplicates.

When the FE Batch Load Chase Down is complete a screen

will appear to inform the user of the Maximum Positive and

Maximum Negative Displacements at each of the floor levels.

Excessive deflections would be an indication that the slab

thickness is not adequate, or there is an error in the model.

All deflection results are based upon the Slab, Beam, Column

and Wall Stiffness Factors applied in the ‘Batch FE

Chasedown’ Window.

Click OK to close this window

Click Close in the Finite Element Analysis Form, only when the Merge the Column box is ticked.

Now we have two sets of results for the Gravity Loads in the model (G & Q), we must choose which results we are going to

use for the design of the Columns (and Beams if applicable). For all Flat Slab models the results from the FE Analysis should

be used, for obvious reasons.

Merging the column results will take the Vertical Loading Results from the FE Floor Analysis and the Lateral Loading Results

from the Building Analysis to give a complete set of results that can then be used to design all elements.

Note:

The Merge Column Results with Building Analysis, is only required to be done once at the end of a Full FE

Chasedown.

When choosing this option ALL the G & Q results will be replaced on every level throughout the structure.

At any time you can quickly toggle between the Building Analysis and FE Analysis Results, by ticking /

unticking this option.

The same principles would apply should we have any Beams within the Model.



174

Load Chase Down



This will become obvious if the Display Loads/Forces on Plan View in the View Settings is switched on to display LC1: G,

LC12: Q, Cmb1: (G+Q)*F

Go to Settings > View Settings

Tick the option to display the Axial Loads

Only have ticked LC1: G, LC12: Q and Cmb1: (G+Q)*F

Tick the option Bottom to display the axial loads at the bottom

level of the columns and walls

Click OK to return to the plan view

Now view the merged Axial Loads for Column 1C1 at level St01.

These are the CORRECT results.

If you had not merged the correct Vertical Load Results from the FE Analysis, then these results would look quite different, as

shown below. These are the Building Analysis Results only; hence the Axial Loads are INCORRECT. The loads shown will

reflect only the Self Weight of the Column or Wall, rather than any decomposed load from the slabs to the columns. Hence,

the Dead Load in the column is much lower and there is no Live Load, as for this model, Live Load has only been applied to

the slabs.





176

Load Chase Down

Cross checking the Finite Element Results


Below is a quick summary table to compare the results from Tables 1 and 4.

Dead Load (kN) Live Load (kN)

Table 1 (Total Applied Load) 17931.4 4414.7

Table 4 (Total Axial Loads 17894.9 4437.5

Difference 36.5 kN Lost 22.8 kN Gained

Orion calculates the percentage difference between the overall loads applied and the overall reactions, as highlighted above.

As you can see there is only a difference of 0.52%, which is more than acceptable, so we can now move on to the design.

Note:

There will always be a slight variation in Table 1 and Table 4. This is due to the FE analysis being

performed on a centreline model, and therefore slight overlapping of the slabs and the beams/walls will

occur.

There will also be differences due to the fact that the Building Analysis does not include the slab elements,

hence any openings will not be considered within Table 1.Tables 2 & 3 are to be DISREGARDED, as there is no beams in the model for the slab loads to be

decomposed onto, the results in Tables 2 & 3 are meaningless in a Flat Slab Model.



177

Flat Slab


10.0 Flat Slab





179

Flat Slab

Designing the Flat Slab


10.1 Designing the Flat Slab


This process uses the Finite Element results to determine the bar sizes required for the reinforcement of the slabs. Thischapter covers the following:-

Using the FE Post Processor

Reviewing the Results and Contours

Creating User Defined Contours

Exporting Contours to DXF

10.1.2 Finite Element – Post Processing Settings

From the Run menu choose Finite Element Floor Analysis

Click on the Post Analysis Processes and Reports tab

Ensure St04 is selected and a Positive Moment Factor of 1.2 has been entered

Click on the Analysis Post-processing button

Note: FE floor models do not include for any pattern loading. It is not feasible/logical to automate pattern

loading to generate every possible worst case scenario, for every conceivable irregular arrangement and

any size of model. A more realistic use of these adjustments is to amplify the sagging moments (by using a

positive moment factor of perhaps 10-20%).



180

Flat Slab

Floor Analysis Post Processing


10.2 Floor Analysis Post Processing

This takes you through to the Post Processing window.

10.2.1 Deflection Plots

From the Results Ribbon the following buttons allow the display of Displacements and the Contours on the model.

The first option Displacements shows the displacement diagram of the mesh, for the selected storey.







183

Flat Slab



Note:

Hogging Moments will be

denoted with negativevalues.

Sagging Moments will be

denoted with positive

values.

All Area of Steel values

are based upon mm2/m

In any of the Contour plots

the mouse pointer can be

used to highlight any node

and the preciseinformation about that

node is displayed in the

bottom left of the

window.

Wood & Armer Adjustments

These adjustments take plate torsional moments into account to generate adjusted design moments. If a detailed

background of these adjustments is required then reference should be made to the original papers:-

Wood, R.H. “The reinforcement of slabs in accordance with a pre-determined field of moments” as published in

Concrete 2.Feb 1968, pp69-76

Armer, G.S.T. “Correspondence” as published in Concrete, 2 Aug 1968, pp319-320

Therefore:

Md1-bot The sagging Moments in the bottom of the slab in Direction 1 which include for the effects of Wood and

Armer adjustment

As(d)1-bot The area of steel requirements (based on the Effective Depth) in the bottom of the slab in Direction 1 which

include for the effects of Wood and Armer adjustments.



184

Flat Slab



10.2.4 Setting the Concrete Effective Depth

Orion allows the user to set the Effective Concrete Depth, these settings will determine if the horizontal bars (in plan) are to

be located on the outer or inner face of the concrete. This option also allows the user to set the concrete cover which will

then automatically calculate the effective depth for the generation of the contours, and determine the area of steel

requirements.

From the Results Ribbon > Contours Panel, and select Concrete Cover

Click on the Concrete Cover (to Bar Face) and type 25mm

Ensure the Dir 1, is set to Layer 1 (Outer) – this will then place the horizontal bars (in plan) in layer 1 i.e. the bars

nearest the upper and lower surface of the concrete.

Set the Bar Diameter in Dir 1 and Dir 2 to be H16

Click OK

All of the Area of Steel contour plots will now be produced based upon these settings for the effective depth. Please note

adjusting these values will effect each and every As and As(d) contour plot.



185

Flat Slab



10.2.5 Bottom Steel Reinforcement Provision

Although Orion has automatically calculated the Area of Steel Requirements, this information does not relate to actual bar

sizes. Therefore we are going to determine the reinforcement in the slab, based on a user defined set of parameters for the

bar sizes.

Click on the Effects Window and select As(d)1-bot

Click on the User Defined Contours in the Results Ribbon

From the Results ribbon > Contours Panel, select Edit Contours

Ensure the Number of Contours is set to 3

Ensure the Legend setting is set to Both

Click Update

If the Re-Interpolate Contour values? Box appears

click Yes

The Min and Max values cannot be altered but the Contours in-between can be used based on actual bar sizes and spacings.

Note:

The pull down menu at the side of the User Defined Contours option allows the user to change the display

settings.

Shaded / Lines / Contour Values can all be switched on or off within this screen, this has no effect on the

model.



186

Flat Slab



10.2.6 Creating the User Defined Contours (bottom steel)

Left Click on the first contour value

Left Click on the Steel Bar 1 and select Diameter

H10 @ 300mm spacing

Click the Update button and the left hand menu

contour values will show H10-300

Left Click second contour value

Left Click on the Steel Bar 1 and select Diameter

H10 @ 300 spacing

Left Click on Steel Bar 2 and select Diameter

H16 @ 300 spacing. This contour value is greater than

the Max 744 mm2 /m reported

Click the Update button

Note:

The second contour will be based upon alternate H10 and H16 diameter bars @ 150mm spacing’s.



187

Flat Slab



Note:

The blue areas in the contour

plot denote where H10 @300mm is sufficient.

The green area of the contour

plot is where H10@300 plus

H16 @ 300mm is required.

IMPORTANT

All contour plots are based

upon exact values, therefore

these plots DO NOT include for

Anchorage Lengths

10.2.7 Creating the User Defined Contours (top steel)

Select As(d)1-top plot from the Effects

Right Click to enter the Contour Settings once again

Ensure the Contours = 4 and the Legend is set to Both and click Update

Set the first contour to be H10 @ 300mm

Set the second contour to be H10 @ 300 plus H20 @ 300mm

Set the third contour to H10 @ 300 plus H20 @ 300 plus H25 @ 300mm

Click the Update button after completing the settings for each contour

Click OK



188

Flat Slab



Contour Settings

Your As(d)1-top plot should look as follows:



189

Flat Slab

Exporting and Displaying Contours


10.3 Exporting and Displaying Contours

Once the contours have been established in the Finite Element Post Processor, they can then be exported to the main model

and AutoCAD for detailing purposes.

Ensure you still have selected As(d)1-top

Left Click on the Export Contours (shown adjacent)

This will then enable the selected contour to be exported into the Main Modelling area of the program. This would have to

be done for all four contours, top and bottom in direction 1 and direction 2.

Left click on the Close window (X) to exit from this window and back into the main model

On the Transfer Options window select OK. If any strips had been cut in the Model this window allows transfer of this

information from the FE analysis.

Left Click Close to exit the Finite Elements Floor Analysis form and to return to the Plan View.

Left Click on the Layer Control icon

Switch on the Layer Contours Asd1-Top

Click OK



190

Flat Slab

Exporting to DXF (for information)


If the contours are not displayed Left Click on the Regen icon

The graphical display should now look as shown below, with the contours for As(d)1-top exported.

10.4 Exporting to DXF (for information)

This drawing can now be exported as a DXF into an AutoCAD environment. To do this Left Click on the DXF icon

and your drawing will be created.

All the layers will be automatically identified and transferred into AutoCAD, based upon your Layer Control settings.

Any drawings created using this option will be stored in the [Default] directory for the current job (unless changed by the

user) – C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Orion 16\Training_Course_Model_1a_R16







193

Appendix A

Designing the Columns/Walls


11.0 Appendix A

Wind Loads





195

Appendix A

Wind Loads


11.1 Wind Loads

11.1.1 Specifying Wind Combinations

To run the following example, please open model ‘Training_Course_Model_1’

In order to add wind loads to the model, you should ensure that you have Wind Load Cases created and Load Combinations

set up that include these Wind Vectors.

Go to Run > Building Analysis > Pre-Analysis > Edit Load Combinations

Click the Loading Generator and tick the option to create Wind Loading

Click OK

You will now see that there are 4 Lateral Load Cases, Nx, Ny, Wx and Wy, and Combinations have been created that include

each of these – e.g. G+Q+Wx as shown below.



196

Appendix A

Wind Loads


11.1.2 Applying a Single Wind Load to Each Floor

Go to Run > Building Analysis > Pre-Analysis > Edit Storey Loads

By clicking on each of the storey labels in the upper table, the Wx and Wy values for each storey can be entered in the lower

table.

The wind loading is entered as a single point load on each storey.

The location of the load is specified by entering its X and Y co-

ordinates. These are measured from (0,0) - NOT from the bottom

left of the model.

The load is transferred to the columns and walls via diaphragm action

within the floor. The diaphragm model is defined on the Model Options

tab of the Analysis form.

CG

Floor Plan

Wy

Wx

Ny

Nx

X

X

0,0

Note: The Notional Horizontal

Loads are applied at the centre of

mass of the floor, whereas the

Wind Loads should be applied at

the centre of the building

elevation. Thus a hand calc may be

necessary to determine the co-

ordinates to the Wind Load

location.





198

Appendix A

Wind Loads


In direction one.

Centre of elevation is 19800 mm / 2 = 9900 mm

Distance of the centre of elevation from the centre of mass is

9900 mm – 9071 mm = 829 mm

X coordinate is 14.071 m + 0.829 m = 14.900 m

For simplicity assuming 1.0 kN/m2

wind loading

The loading in the Y direction Wy = 19.8 m 4m 1.0 kN/m2 = 79.2 kN

In direction two.

Centre of elevation is 27219 mm / 2 = 13610 mm

Distance of the centre of elevation from the centre of mass is

13610 mm – 12341 mm = 1269 mm

Y coordinate is 17.341 m + 1.269 m = 18.610 m

For simplicity assuming 1.0 kN/m2

wind loading

The loading in the X direction Wx = 27.219 m 4.0m 1.0 kN/m2 = 108.9 kN

Enter Wx, Wy loads and co-ordinates for the storey.

Note: In practice the loadings and coordinates may change due to variations in floor layout and storey heights. For this

example we will assume they are all the same.

Enter loads for the other storeys in a similar manner, and then click OK .

Return to Analysis , check the Building Analysis box and then click on Start. The building should now be analysed for the wind load combinations in addition to the other combinations.



199

Appendix A

Wind Loads


Click on the Post-analysis tab and press the Model and Analysis Results Display button.

Using the settings and Filters you can select a wind case and view the results from that case. Viewing the

deformations clearly shows the twisting effect caused by the offset of the coordinates



200

Appendix A

Wind Loads


11.1.3 Applying Wind Loads directly to Columns & Walls

As an alternative to applying a single point load to the floor, the wind loads can be applied directly to the tops of the columns

and walls.

Select a column and right click. From the menu choose Add Column/Wall Nodal Load.

The load can either be applied to the selected column, all columns/walls in the current storey or every column/wall in the

model.

Choose Apply to Selected Columns and Walls

Select the required Wind Load Case and enter the load values to be applied. Note that the loads are applied using

the global co-ordinate system.

You can enter multiple loads and moments under every available load case at the same time.

Once you have entered all values, click OK for them to be applied to the selected members



201

Appendix A

Wind Loads






203

Appendix B


12.0 Appendix B

Beam Design Settings andDetailing





205

Appendix B

Beam Design Settings and Detailing


12.1 Beam Design Settings and DetailingPrior to performing the design it is recommended that you take time to consider the various settings and parameters that


resulting design.

Go to Settings > Beam Design Settings > Storey Beam Settings.

A brief overview of the options in general and then more specifically the reinforcement pattern options, is provided in the

next few pages.

12.1.1 The Design Tab

These settings are generally self evident, they will tend to have a slight influence on the values of As required that emerge

from the design. For example the options to design for the shear at the column face and to use the rectangular section

(rather than the flanged section) when the flange is in compression will result in slightly more conservative steel area

requirements.



206

Appendix B



12.1.2 The Parameters Tab

Again, these settings are generally self-evident, they set limits on the ranges and spacing of bars which are considered when

bars are being selected to provide reinforcement which at least meets the minimum requirements determined during design.

12.1.3 The Bar Selection Tab



207

Appendix B



In this tab we start to apply more specific preferences which will affect the way in which bars are selected to meet the As

requirements determined in design. Standard Pattern 2 is currently the most commonly used option. Many of the otheroptions under this tab and also under the curtailments tab are more “tuned” to standard pattern 2.

Note that on the Method sub-tab, the option to maximise bar spacing is the default. The option to minimise bar sizes is not

often used because lots of small bars end up being used at close centres rather than a few larger bars at wider spacing.



208

Appendix B



12.1.4 The Curtailment Tab

In this tab we apply preferences as to how the reinforcement is curtailed. Although this is not under the “detailing” tab, these

sorts of preferences are more traditionally applied by the detailer rather than the designer.



209

Appendix B



12.1.5 The Detailing Tab





211

Appendix B



Go to Sheet > Sheet Layout

To bring the beams on a particular axis onto the drawing sheet, perform the following steps.

Position the cursor on the beam axis in the Axis column

Left click and hold on the axis name and then drag the beam onto the sheet

Position the beam where it is to be placed then release the left mouse button.

To manipulate the beam position click and drag the beam around the sheet

To sort according to the storeys, Select Settings and then select Storey.

Repeat this process for some more of the axes so your screen looks similar to below.

Now insert the reinforcement quantity table for these beams on Sheet 1

Select the Schedule button so the following dialog box appears.

Now select OK

The Schedule is now placed at the bottom right of the Sheet 1.

Save this sheet 1 layout by selecting Save.



212

Appendix B



Now create a new sheet which will be number 2

Select the New Button next to the Sheet No. Box so the following

appears with a no. 2

Click OK

A new blank sheet appears on which more beams can be placed.

Repeat what we have done so far for Sheet 1 by selecting some more beams.

Note: You can’t select any of the beams which are on Sheet 1 or those not previously designed.

Choose Save and then Exit to get back to the Beam Section Design and Detailing window.

Now we will view the beam drawing sheets created.

Go to the Menu and select Sheet > Beam Detail Drawings to get the

following screen.

Highlight Sheet 1 as shown then choose OK.

If any of the bars have been truncated you will be informed where they are and you

will then need to click on OK to get to the following screen.

If necessary, edits can be made to the drawing using the various commands that are available. Alternatively the drawing can

be exported as a DXF file and amendments made in another cad program.



213

Appendix C



13.0 Appendix C





215

Appendix C

Column Design Settings and Detailing


13.1 Column Design Settings and DetailingPrior to performing the design it is recommended that you take time to consider the various settings and parameters that


resulting design.

Go to Settings > Column Design Settings

13.1.1 The Design Tab

Plain Wall Design allows the design of walls without reinforcement where the wall is subject to compression throughout and

the steel requirement is zero/negligible.

Note: Min Steel Percentage will be taken from Table 3.25 in the code, Max Col Steel Percentage will be 6.0% and Max

Wall Steel Percentage will be 4% unless you overwrite the default ( 0.00 ).



216

Appendix C



By default Orion is set to use the BS8110 method for bi-axial design, however an alternative true bi-axial approach is

available. This latter method can produce some economy; however it is perhaps best thought of as a means to occasionally

fine tune a BS8110 design. You may decide to design using the true bi-axial method and then check the reinforcement using

the BS8110 method. Clause 3.8.4.4. is the more conservative. However, if cl 3.8.4.3 is appropriate, less conservative results

can be achieved.

13.1.2 The Steel Bars Tab

These settings are fairly self explanatory; however some consideration should be given towards the selection of appropriate

lateral steel.

Details of the ‘Steel Bar Selection Method’ are displayed in the blue text below the setting. The option to maximise bar

spacing is the default. This option reduces the congestion compared to the option to minimise bar sizes.



217

Appendix C



The Column Lateral Steel Types can be set by clicking the Column Containment sub-tab.

Clause 3.12.7.2. specifies requirements to contain compression reinforcement by the introduction of links and/or tie bars.

The Single Link option or any of the other options should be regarded as manual over-rides: the user takes responsibility for

adding extra bars to satisfy cl 3.12.7.2.

There are 4 choices available for Short and Long Walls.

The Wall option (without End Zones) is more efficient at lower loading levels as minimum steel requirements start to

dominate.

The Wall w/End Zones option would generally not need to be used. It might however become more efficient when the walls

are resisting significant in-plane moments.

The Single Layer Wall can be selected for walls up to the thickness specified in the ‘Max. Width for Single Layer Walls’ dialog.

The Single Layer Wall w/End Zones is the same as the above, but also includes End Zones.



218

Appendix C



The settings on this tab are fairly self explanatory. For example the max bar spacing has been set to 200mm.

Note: Concrete cover 0.00 mm means the amount of cover will be taken from the code, as noted below

the setting in blue. If a non zero value is entered, this will be used instead.







221

Appendix C



13.1.4 To Rationalise the Steel Bars in Individual Columns

To rationalise the bars selected from storey to storey for individual columns, the Steel Optimization command is used.

From the Design ribbon > Design Panel, choose Steel Standardisation

Select Column Line E-2 (1C9) as shown. It can be seen that three different bar arrangements are used up the height of

this column.

Change all the bars at Storeys 1 and 3 to H20.

Click on Save Axis then Close. The Utilization Ratios for the modified columns are recalculated.



222

Appendix C

To Rationalise the Steel Bars in Multiple Columns


13.2 To Rationalise the Steel Bars in Multiple ColumnsTo rationalise the bars selected from storey to storey for multiple columns, the Copy and Paste commands are used.

From the Column Reinforcement Design window highlight column 1C9.

Click on the Copy Steel Bars to Clipboard icon

The steel bar pattern for 1C9 is copied to the clipboard. All columns with the same b1 and b2 dimensions are marked “=”

indicating that they are suitable for pasting this bar pattern to. The user can then either paste to individual marked columns

using the Paste Steel Bars from Clipboard icon, or paste to all marked columns using Paste Steel Bars from Clipboard to AllSimilar Columns.

Click on the Paste Steel Bars to All Similar Columns icon



223

Appendix C

Creating the Column Detail Drawings


13.3 Creating the Column Detail Drawings Left click and highlight the column you wish to produce a ‘Detail Drawing’ for:

From within the Column Reinforcement Design window select the Detail of Selected Column icon

The Column Axes List option will create a drawing of a single column by clicking on the Draw icon.

If multiple columns are required on the same drawing sheet, the Sheet List option should be used as follows.

Go to Create Sheet Panel > Create Sheets.

Note: It is possible to paste a steel bar pattern that is insufficient. If you do this, the Design status will indicate fail for

those columns and will be shown as such in the Design status. These could be re-designed interactively.



224

Appendix C



Change the Sheet size to A1 and then bring the column details on to the drawing by clicking and dragging the column

references from the table on the right into the drawing sheet area.

Click on Save to save the above layout as sheet 1. Additional sheets could then be created as necessary by clicking on

the New button. When completed click on Exit







227

Appendix D



14.0 Appendix D

Foundation Design





229

Appendix D

Foundation Design


14.1 Foundation Design

14.1.1 Introduction

This chapter covers the following: Design of a Pad Footing

Design of a Strip Footing

Design of a Raft

14.1.2 Foundation Design Settings

The Allowable Stress of Soil and the Coefficient of Subgrade Reaction are set in the Buildings Menu > Parameters –

Foundations tab.

Some further, more detailed, preferences are set in Setting > Foundation Design Settings.



230

Appendix D

Pad Footings


14.1.3 Choice of Loading Method

If you have already modelled and analysed the building above the foundation in Orion, the loads can be transferred directly

to it. Alternatively if you only want to perform the foundation design without modelling the structure above then the load

can be input manually.

Assuming you have already analysed the structure above the foundation, you have the option to either transfer the loads

resulting from the Building Analysis, or (assuming you have performed a gravity load chase-down) the loads can be based on

the FE Analysis results.

To design the foundations using FE results, proceed as follows:

Select FE Floor Analysis from the Run menu in the Main Menu bar.

Select the Analysis Post-processing and Reports tab

Check the box Merge Column Results with Building Analysis Results.

Close the FE Analysis Form.

Note: To design the foundations using Building Analysis results, leave the box unchecked.

14.2 Pad Footings

14.2.1 Pad footing design

All the foundation design features are only available when Storey ST00 is active.

Select storey ST00 from the structure tree.

Select columns 1C2 and 1C3 and the right click and select Insert Pad Base as shown



231

Appendix D

Pad Footings


Click OK to create a Typical Footing for both columns

The footing data should be displayed as shown below.

Increase the footing depth to 600mm and change the bar sizes to H20 then click on the Calculate button.

A rectangular footing has been designed for the worst loads from both columns.

Note: The ‘unlocked’ icon in the middle of the screen indicates that if the Lx dimension is increased the Ly dimension will

remain unchanged. The icon can be changed to ‘locked’ by clicking on it. In this case, if the Lx dimension is increased the

Ly dimension will be automatically recalculated to suit.





233

Appendix D

Pad Footings


14.2.2 Pad Footing Details

To obtain the detail drawings it is necessary to click on the Foundation Details icon located at the bottom of the structure

tree as shown

Click on the New Detail Sheet icon.

Choose an A3 page and then click and drag the F2 footing out of the table and on to the drawing sheet.

Click with the left mouse button as necessary to reposition the footing so that it fits within the page border and then

add a steel quantity table



234

Appendix D

Pad Footings


To return to the Graphic Editor, click on the Form Plan icon at the base of the structure tree.



235

Appendix D

Strip Footings


14.3 Strip Footings

14.3.1 Strip Footing Design

The Strip Footing is a ‘combined footing’ and can be used in cases where beams connect the columns and/or walls. In cases

where there are no beams between the vertical members, it can still be used but fictitious beams have to be added first

which are of the same depth as the footing. The latter option will be demonstrated.

Create a 600mm wide by 800mm deep beam between columns C1 and C5 , then another between C5 and C8 and a

third between C8 and C12

Select all three newly added beams and then right click and select Insert Strip Footing.

Note: This section of the training manual should only be considered as a brief introduction to the Strip Footing

capabilities of Orion. This subject is much more comprehensively documented in the Engineer’s Handbook.

When designing a strip footing under a continuous wall in which no bending takes place along the major direction of the

wall, the pad footing option can be used. Select the wall, and right click to insert a pad footing.



236

Appendix D

Strip Footings


Checking the Design Envelope box will design the footing for all load combinations.

Select H20 steel diameter and increase the footing depth to 800mm , then click on Design.

Click Calculate and the program works out a required Footing Width and displays a report



237

Appendix D

Strip Footings


Close the report then round the width up to 2900mm and click on Design once more.

The results report is recreated based on the new width.

Click on the Diagrams tab.



238

Appendix D

Strip Footings


Click OK to exit, and then OK once more to return to the Graphic Editor.

14.3.2 Designing the Foundation Beam

The foundation beam is designed in two stages:

Go to Run > Beam Section Design and Detailing > Create/Update Footing Beam Records.



239

Appendix D

Strip Footings


Click Yes to update the records, then go to Run > Beam Section Design and Detailing > Foundation Beams.

The beam section design dialog is displayed as below.

From this point the beam design procedure is carried out in a similar manner to the design of superstructure beams.



240

Appendix D

Raft Foundation Design


14.4 Raft Foundation DesignThe raft foundation is created as a slab and then analysed using FE. As there are no beams, the slab insertion method should

be set to Axis Region. To get correct transfer of the column and wall loads into the raft, each column\wall needs to lie on a

slab edge or corner.

Create a 600mm deep slab inside the lift core as shown below.

Create 1m wide cantilever slabs around the edge of the core.



241

Appendix D



From the Run menu choose FE Raft Foundation Analysis

Click on Raft Foundation Mesh and Analysis

Adjust the Mesh Uniformity Factor and Plate Element Size, then mesh the floor



242

Appendix D



Exit from the mesh generator and continue with the analysis.

Select the Analysis Post Processing

Display Contour diagrams for the various effects.

Shown below is the Contour diagram for the effect – Soil Pressure Threshold. This indicates that the soil is overstressed. It is

necessary to make the raft larger.

Exit from the Post Processor and then in the graphic editor try increasing the raft size.

Once a satisfactory size has been obtained, reinforcement can be placed in the raft in the same way as was done for the

other FE slabs in the building.



243

Appendix E



15.0 Appendix E

Loading Combinations and theLoading Generator





245

Appendix E

Load Combinations and the Loading Generator


15.1 Load Combinations and the Loading Generator

Several Standard Load Combinations are automatically selected when a model is created. These can be accessed from Run >

Building Analysis > Pre-Analysis > Edit Load Combinations. You can view and edit these combinations here, manually createnew Load Cases and Load Combinations or you can use the Loading Generator to automatically create the Load Cases and

Combinations you require.

15.1.1 The Loading Generator

Clicking the Loading Generator button provides a quick means of defining multiple load combinations.





247

Appendix E



And therefore, you would have the following Load Cases:

The following table illustrates the basic load patterns:

GP1 or QP1 (=_=_...) GP2or QP2 (_=_=…)

GP3 or QP3 (==_...) GP4 or QP4 (_==…)

GP5 or QP5 (=_=…) G or Q



248

Appendix E



Direction Dependant Pattern Loading

Ticking this box enables the patterns to be applied in one direction only:

QP11 QP12

QP21 QP22

QP31

QP32

QP41 QP42

QP51 QP52

Direction 1Direction 2



249

Appendix E



Stage Construction Cases

Ticking the below options will create 2 new load cases, SG and SQ, as well as creating a new combination for these new load

cases.

By default, each floor level is initially considered to be a stage. The first stage must always include storey 1; however, it and

each subsequent stage can be adjusted to include more than a single storey. The stage duration can be initially set in the

screen above, and is set as 15 Days by default, though this can be edited. By default, all stages initially have the same

duration, however individual stage durations can be edited as required.

Once the loading has been generated, it is then possible to adjust the content and duration of the stages via the ‘Load Cases’

button. Highlight the construction stage load case you want then click the edit button. All stages will then be listed and the

storey (content) and duration can be adjusted.

The construction stage is useful where concern relates to the estimation of deflection affecting brittle finishes, and can have

a big impact. For more information on this topic, please refer to the extensive Help System within the program.



250

Appendix E



Lateral Loads

Notional, Wind and Soil Pressure load combinations can be generated automatically.

Notional Load

Ticking this box creates four additional load combinations of gravity and notional horizontal load as shown below. In each

case the notional load is applied at the centre of gravity of each floor.

Note that where the load factors are negative in the above table, this indicates the load is applied in the reverse direction.

Wind Load

Ticking this box creates four additional load combinations of gravity and horizontal wind load as shown below. The point of

application and the magnitude of the wind load at each storey are input by the user via the Storey Loads Editor accessed via

Building Analysis. Refer to Appendix A for details.

Soil Pressure Load

Ticking this box creates additional load combinations of gravity and soil pressure load as shown below. The point of

application and the magnitude of the soil pressure load are input by the user via the Storey Loads Editor accessed via Building

Analysis.

Temperature Load

Ticking this box creates additional load combinations of gravity and temperature load as shown below. Temperature loads

can be applied by selecting a column, wall or beam, right clicking and selecting Define Temperature Difference Data. You

can then apply either Axial or Gradient temperature loads to specific members and member groups.



251

Appendix F


16.0 Appendix F

Report Manager





253

Appendix F

Report Manager


16.1 Report Manager

16.1.1 Concrete and Form Estimation Reports

Throughout the training course it has been possible to create individual reports at the various different stages. EG: slabdesign; building analysis; column design; beam design etc.

There are a couple of additional reports that have not been created yet. These will be created here.

From the File menu choose Quantity Extraction Tables

Choose Concrete Quantity Extractions Table and then click Create Report.

View the values then click Report.



254

Appendix F

Report Manager


In the Orion report, click on the Save Report Button then Close and return to the Graphic Editor.

Repeat the process to create a Column/Wall Steel Bar Table and Save this report too.

16.1.2 Report Manager

From the File menu choose Report Manager.

Use the arrows to select those reports that are to be printed as shown.

If connected to a printer the combined report could then be produced.



255

Appendix G


17.0 Appendix G

Polyline Column Editor





257

Appendix G



17.1 Polyline Column Editor

17.1.1 Creating an L-shaped column.

Ensure the correct column properties are loaded (it should be labelled 1C1 – 600*300mm column) and then right clickonce more and choose Polyline Column Editor from the menu.

The Polyline Column Editor shown below allows any shape of column to be created.

The sections shown to the right can be quickly created using the Standard Column Section icon, however in this example

the column section will be created manually.



258

Appendix G



Right click on vertex 3 and pick Edit Vertex Information.

Change d(next) to 550 and click Apply . This sets the distance from this vertex to the next, which is in this case vertex

0. The left hand edge is therefore now 550mm.

Click Zoom Extents.



259

Appendix G



Left click on the line between vertices 2 and 3 to create a new vertex as shown.

Right mouse click on the new vertex 3 and pick Edit Vertex Information. Change Angle(next) to 180 and d(next) to

300 and click Apply as shown.

Left click on the line between vertices 2 and 3 to create a new vertex as shown.

Right mouse click on the new vertex 3 and pick Edit Vertex Information. Change Angle(next) to 90 and d(next) to 250

and click Apply as shown.



260

Appendix G



Click Close.

You should now have an L-shaped column of size 300x550/300x600 as shown below.

The origin point shown inside the column indicates where it will be placed relative to the grid line intersection. Clicking the

Origin Point button allows you to change the origin position if required.

Click OK to exit from the Polyline Column Editor and save the new shape.

The column at Grid B/1 will be transformed to the L-shaped column as shown.

Select Zoom Limits



261

Appendix H



18.0 Appendix H

Slab Design Using FE Analysis





263

Appendix H

Slab Design using FE Analysis


18.1 Slab Design using FE Analysis

18.1.1 Introduction

For beam and slab models, as an alternative to the moment coefficient method of slab design, slabs can be designed basedon the results obtained from a Finite Element Analysis (FE) of a floor instead. This is very useful to cater for those slabs that

are not suitable for design by the moment coefficient method. Typical examples being irregular shaped slabs, slabs with voids

or slabs with additional line or point loads applied.

Note: The slab design based on FE strips which is discussed in this chapter can only be performed if a set of FE results are

available for the floor in question. We will design St04.

18.1.2 Creating FE Slab Strips

In order to design the slabs using FE, it is necessary to create FE Slab reinforcement strips.

First ensure St04 is selected

Note: FE slab strips can be created before or after the FE Analysis.

To specify a Finite Element Slab Strip:

First, click on the Slab Strip icon to display the Slab Strip Properties.

Ensure the label in the Slab Strip box is X1.

Ensure the type drop down is set to FE Strip

Indicate a Bob at both the start and end of the strip.

Click on the FE tab

Choose Span Strip.

To position the strip:

Draw in the strip across the slabs between Grids B-C/1-6.

Draw a second FE strip X2 across the slabs between Grids D-E/1-5.



264

Appendix H



Note: Additional strips can be positioned as required. An FE strip can be distinguished from a coefficient strip by the FElabel that appears at the end of the strip.



265

Appendix H



18.1.3 Finite Element Model Generation

Ensure the Building Analysis results are up to date.

Select the FE Floor Analysis from the Run menu in the Main Menu bar.

Changing the Stiffness Factors may affect the results. More information on this is provided in the Engineer’s Handbook and

in Chapter 9 of this manual.

Select Storey ST04

Ensure the Stiffness Factors are all set to 0.33 and you have the below settings

Select Floor Mesh and Analysis

Select the Generate Mesh icon



266

Appendix H



Now choose File/Exit to get back to the Finite Element Analysis Form dialog box.

18.1.4 FE Analysis Post Processing

Once the analysis is complete, click the Analysis Post-processing button

This takes you to the Post-Processor window with the model displayed as follows:

From the General Ribbon, click on the Plan View button as shown:

From the Results Ribbon, select the Standard Contour icon various effects can be displayed.



267

Appendix H



Displacement contours. Moment Mx contours.

By manipulating the loading and effect drop-downs various other results can be viewed.

By selecting the Standard Contour icon once again the contours can be switched back off.

The results for the existing FE strips can be displayed using the Select Strip drop down.

Select the strip X2

The Moment diagram for strip X2 and the G+Q*F loading should appear as below.



268

Appendix H



Note There are options to plot either Moment or Design Moment. The latter incorporates the effect of additional Wood-

Armer moments in the slab. In this particular example because the slab panels are all quite close to being rectangular there is

not much difference between the two. In some models (where the slab arrangement is more irregular) the Wood-Armer

effect can become significant.

Note The diagram is plotted using values calculated for the number of longitudinal points along the length of the strip. The

tabulated values shown below the diagram are obtained by taking the maximum nodal results in each zone of each slab. The

zones are colour coded and can be seen on the screen behind the slab strip moment diagram, as shown below. The nodes are

coloured green in the support zone and orange in the span zone. The tabulated values are used for the reinforcement strip

design - not the values along the strip itself.

Exit to return to the Floor Analysis Post-Processor window and choose File/Exit once more.

You will get the following dialog displayed.

Ensure both boxes above are checked, and then select OK . This will transfer the FE slab strip results taking into

account the additional Wood-Armer moments.

Exit one more time to return to the Graphical Editor .



269

Appendix H



18.1.5 Updating the FE Strips with Reinforcement

To display the reinforcement designed using the FE method:

Open the Properties of the FE strip X1 by right clicking

Choose Update

This should then display the steel bars.

Repeat this process for strip X2

So that steel bars are shown as follows:

Any failing bars can be edited in exactly the same way as for the strips cut for the Moment Co-

Efficient Method.

Slab Output again can be created in the same way as the strips for the Moment Co-EfficientMethod.





271

Appendix I


19.0 Appendix I

Enhancing the GeneralArrangement Drawings





273

Appendix I

Enhancing the General Arrangement Drawings


19.1 Enhancing the General Arrangement Drawings


Dimensioning the Grid Spacing

Dimensioning the Cantilever Slab

Creating Slab Cross-Sections

Exporting Drawings from Orion to AutoCAD

19.1.2 Dimensioning the Grid Spacing

The next task will be to add dimensions to the grids created.

Select the Dimensions icon or go to Member/Dimension.

So you should now have the Linear Dimension dialog box as shown below.

The top row of icons control the direction of the dimension

select Horizontal Dimension

The next row can be used to indicate if Continuous or Automatic dims are required and

also if the dim is to appear on the current storey only, or all storeys.

select Automatic Dimension

The third row is used to control the appearance of the extension lines.

Usually, dimensions are inserted with scale as "1". If two different drawing scales are

utilised on the same sheet (as in the column application drawings) the Dim Scale option

can be very useful to dimension entities drawn to the second scale.

Now we can dimension up the vertical grids. You will notice the status bar at the bottom of

the screen is prompting what to do next…

Click to the left of Grid 1 and drag to beyond Grid 6 and then release the left mouse button.

The status bar at the bottom of the screen then asks you to click on where you would like the dimension line to appear, as

shown below.

So click just above the protruding cantilever slabs.

Then the Automatic Dimension Parameters dialog box should appear.

Ensure that the Axes and Insert Total Dimension boxes are checked as shown below.



274

Appendix I



Select OK .

So your screen should look as shown below where the total horizontal dimension will be 19800. This can be checked by

zooming over the total horizontal dimension

Vertical Grids Dimensioned

Repeat the process for the horizontal grids A-F.

Select the Vertical Dimension direction and keep the automatic dimension selected.

Then click and drag from below Grid intersection A/5 to above Grid intersection F/5. Release the mouse button and

then click on a point to the right of Grid 6.

In the Automatic Dimension Parameters dialog ensure only Axes and Insert Total Dim is checked as shown below.



275

Appendix I



Then select OK

Your screen should look as shown below.



276

Appendix I



19.1.3 Dimensioning up the Cantilever Slabs

Next we will dimension up the cantilever slab at Grid F/1-2 as follows:

To dimension the width of slab select Aligned Dimension.

Note the prompt at the bottom of the screen:

To snap to the top corner of the slab go to Edit > Object Snap Settings and ensure Intersection is ticked.

Then click on the top left corner of the cantilever slab.


Click on top right corner of the cantilever slab.


Click a position above the slab where you want the dimension to appear.

So your screen should look as follows:

Repeat the above process to dimension the length of cantilever also.





278

Appendix I



19.1.5 Creating Slab Section Views

Next we will create horizontal and vertical cross-sections through the 1st

storey.

Select the Section icon or go to Member > Section.

Then proceed as follows:

Position the cursor to the left of Grid 1 between Grid E-F above the slab opening

Press the CTRL key and click then drag the mouse so that it extends beyond Grid 5.

If necessary, select Zoom Limits then click above the top of the vertical grids to insert the Horizontal Cross-Section (A-

A)

Your screen should look as follows.

To get the reinforcement shown in the section, you must have designed the slabs with strips, then:

Tick the box Show Steel Bars then click on Update.



279

Appendix I



Now draw a vertical section (Label it as B) between Grid 2-3/A-F.

Position the cursor below Grid A and between Grids 2 and 3, press the ‘CTRL’ button and then click and drag the

mouse so that it extends past Grid F.

You should now have 2 cross sections on your screen as shown below.

In Section B-B you can see the core walls. The amount that the walls (or columns) project above or below the section is

controlled using the Upper Col and Lower Col Len boxes.





281

Appendix J


20.0 Appendix J

Orion Data File Structure andProject Settings





283

Appendix J

Orion Data File Structure and Project Settings


20.1 Orion Data File Structure and Project Settings

Orion arranges the various files of a project automatically and stores them in folders with the same name as the given project

code.

Orion creates a folder for each project and saves all project files in this folder. In other words, all the files for a given project

will be located in the same folder. These folders will be named as the Project Code specified by the user for each project. You

are not permitted to include spaces in the Project Code.

Project folders are created under a parent folder called the "Orion Data Directory". There can be more than one data folder

for grouping the different projects. You can use spaces in the “Orion Data Directories" however the program will prevent

you from using them in the “Project Directory”.

You can change the current Orion Data Folder by the "Data Directory" button on the "Project Manager" form.

The Setup procedure creates a subfolder, "TMP", under the Orion Data Directory for the temporary files created during

project modelling analysis. "TMP" folder can be relocated or renamed but it shouldn't be removed. You can use the "Scratch

Directory" button on the "Project Manager" to relocate the temporary files' folder.

If you press the "OK" button to close the "Project Manager" the selected project will be loaded to the Graphical Editor and

the parameters will be saved in a file named as the <project code>.pbp.

For example, project parameters file created for the ABC1 project will be named as "ABC1.PBP" and will be stored in [Orion

Data Folder]\ABC1\ABC1.PBP" folder.



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Appendix J

Orion Data File Structure and Project Settings


20.1.1 Project Settings

There are various project settings that can be modified to suit customer preference. Once set these will be saved with the

project.

New projects can be created either using the same project settings as a different project, or by using a Template of specific

settings.

An existing project will retain the project settings it had when it was last saved.

If you have an existing project with settings modified to your preference and you would like to apply those preferences to a

new project, simply select that existing project in the Settings Centre when creating the new project and Import the settings

you want. Alternatively, you could create a Template, also in the Settings Centre, which you could then apply to whichever

projects you like.

To revert to the default setting of the program, you can select one of the several default Templates available from the

Settings Centre.

