General Beam Manual

GENERAL BEAM
.fastrak5950.com
CSC Fastrak

Structural steelwork
analysis and design
General Beam Documentation page 2 Chapter :
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page 4 Disclaimer

Table of Contents General Beam Documentation page 5
Help System
Chapter 1 General Beam Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Working with General Beam . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
How do I set preferences? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
How do I control General Beams interface components? . . . . . . . 12
How do I exit General Beam? . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Working with Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
How do I create a new project? . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
How do I open an existing project? . . . . . . . . . . . 14
How do I close a project? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
How do I save a project with the same file name? . . . . . . . . . 14
How do I save a project with a new file name? . . . . . . . . . 15
How do I merge projects? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
How do I send a project to someone using email? . . . . . . . . . 15
How do I set project details? . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Working with Beams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
How do I add a new beam to a project? . . . . . . . . . . 16
How do I modify the reference details for a beam? . . . . . . . . . 16
How do I define the basic beam details? . . . . . . . . . . 16
How do I define beam restraints? . . . . . . . . . . . 16
How do I choose to design a beam? . . . . . . . . . . . 16
How do I choose to check a beam of known size? . . . . . . . . . 16
How do I copy a beam? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
How do I delete a beam? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
How do I edit the basic beam details? . . . . . . . . . . . 17
How do I edit beam restraints? . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Working with Load Cases and Combinations. . . . . . . . . . 17
How do I create load cases? . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
How do I add loads into a load case? . . . . . . . . . . . 18
How do I define design combinations? . . . . . . . . . . 21
Designing your Beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
How do I control the design process? . . . . . . . . . . . 21
How do I perform the design? . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
How do I view a designs results? . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Working with Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
How do I control the view in the Beam Definition window? . . . . . . . 22
How do I view the analysis results for a beam? . . . . . . . . . 24
How do I view major axis (in-plane) analysis results? . . . . . . . . 25
How do I view minor axis (out-of-plane) analysis results? . . . . . . . . 25
How do I view axial (along member) analysis results? . . . . . . . . 25
How do I control the content of the Beam Definition window? . . . . . . . 26
How do I control the content of the Analysis Results windows? . . . . . . 26
Working with Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
How do I set up a page header or page footer? . . . . . . . . . 27
How do I set up a report page? . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
How do I control the contents of a report? . . . . . . . . . . 29
How do I view a report? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
How do I control a report levels content? . . . . . . . . . . 30
How do I export a report to Microsoft Word? . . . . . . . . . . 31
How do I export a report to pdf? . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
How do I print a report? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
How do I control the printer used to create a report? . . . . . . . . 31
Exporting information from General Beam . . . . . . . . . . 32
How do I export a beam into S-Frame? . . . . . . . . . . . 32
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General Beam Documentation page 6 Table of Contents
How do I request a Westok beam design? . . . . . . . . . . 32

How do I return information to the Building Designer? . . . . . . . . 32
How do I export a beam to Fabsec? . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Table of Contents General Beam Documentation page 7
Information for the Engineer

Chapter 2 Introduction and application. . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Practical applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Designing a beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Checking a beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Worked Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Design pass 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Design pass 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Design Pass 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Chapter 3 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Chapter 4 Limitations and Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Chapter 5 Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Building Modeller object . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
General Beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Chapter 6 Ultimate Limit State Strength . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Important Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Shear Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Moment Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Axial Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Cross-section Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Chapter 7 Ultimate Limit State Buckling . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Lateral Torsional Buckling Resistance, Clause 4.3 . . . . . . . . . 47
Lateral Torsional Buckling Resistance, Annex G . . . . . . . . . 47
Compression Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Member Buckling Resistance, Clause 4.8.3.3.1 . . . . . . . . . 49
Important Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Chapter 8 Serviceability Limit State . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Chapter 9 Member End Fixity and Supports . . . . . . . . . . . 52

General Beam Stand-alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Building Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Chapter 10 Design Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Lateral torsional buckling checks . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
E:\CSC Doc\General Beam\General BeamTOC.fm

General Beam Documentation page 8 Table of Contents
Combined buckling checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

USERS GUIDE
GENERAL BEAM
.fastrak5950.com
CSC Fastrak

analysis and design
General Beam Documentation page 10 Chapter :

Chapter 1 : General Beam Documentation General Beam Documentation page 11
Help System
Chapter 1 General Beam Documentation
Overview
Welcome to General Beam. This electronic documentation system is task based, extensively
cross referenced, indexed and fully searchable. Simply look for the topic relating to the task
you want to perform in the contents table, or search for the task using the extensive search
facility.
You will find that the most important topics are shown directly in the table of contents, while
less important topics, and links to topics which are covered elsewhere are included in the
Related Topics lists and can be accessed by the hypertext links.
You can also use the Next ( ) and Previous ( ) buttons in each topics header and footer to
move the next and previous topics in the electronic documentation system respectively.
The main sections in this document are listed below. The links take you to the initial topic for
that section.
Major topics Overview

Working with General Beam
Working with Projects
Working with Beams
Working with Load Cases and Combinations
Designing your Beam
Working with Views
Working with Reports
Exporting information from General Beam
Working with General Beam

These topics tell you how to customise General Beams interface, both by preferences which
you can set, and also by the components you can add-to, or remove-from the interface.
The links below detail all the available topics in this section.
Related topics How do I set preferences?

How do I control General Beams interface components?
How do I exit General Beam?
How do I control the design process?
E:\CSC Doc\General Beam\General beam documentation.fm

General Beam Documentation page 12 Chapter 1 : General Beam Documentation
How do I set preferences?

1. Pick File/Preferences
2. Use the various pages of the Preferences property sheet to tailor the way that you and
General Beam work together.
How do I control General Beams interface components?

You can switch various elements of General Beams interface on and off at will.
When you install General Beam the toolbars, status bar, workbook and project workspace are
all shown. We would recommend that you do not turn these off on a long term basis since they
provide much useful information and are the quickest way to access many features. However,
you may want to switch one or more off momentarily to increase the area available for a
graphical display.
To hide a toolbar
1. Pick View/ToolbarsToolbar Name (where Toolbar Name is the name of the toolbar you
want to switch off).
Note Toolbars which are already switched off will not have the icon against their
name in the list.
To show a toolbar
1. Pick View/ToolbarsToolbar Name (where Toolbar Name is the name of the toolbar you
want to switch on).
Note Toolbars which are already switched on will have the icon against their name
in the list.
To set the position of a toolbar

1. Grab the toolbar by its handle (a vertical bar to its left for a horizontal toolbar, or a
horizontal bar at its top for a vertical toolbar) and drag the toolbar to its new location.
2. If you place the toolbar over an edge of the main General Beam window, then it will dock
to that edge.
To change the shape of a floating toolbar

In order to change the shape of a toolbar it must not be docked against an edge of the General
Beam window.
1. Position the cursor over an edge of the floating toolbar, and you will see that the pointer
changes to a representation of two arrows.
2. Click and hold the left mouse button and drag in the direction of the arrows.
3. The toolbar will change shape in a series of steps, to accommodate the buttons that it
contains. Once you have achieved the shape that you require release the mouse button.

To hide the status bar

1. Pick View/Status Bar.
Note If the status bar is already switched off it will not have the icon against its
name in the menu.
To show the status bar

1. Pick View/Status Bar.
Note If the status bar is already switched on it will have the icon against its name
in the menu.
To hide the workbook

1. Pick View/Workbook.
Note If the workbook is already switched off it will not have the icon against its
name in the menu.
To show the workbook

1. Pick View/Workbook.
Note If the workbook is already switched on it will have the icon against its name
in the menu.
To hide the project workspace

1. Pick View/Project Workspace or click the icon at the top-right of the project workspace.
Note If the project workspace is already switched off it will not have the icon
against its name in the menu.
To show the project workspace

1. Pick View/Project Workspace.
Note If the project workspace is already switched on it will have the icon against
its name in the menu.
To set the position of the project workspace

1. Grab the project workspace by its handle (the title bar at the top of the project workspace
pane) and drag it to its new location.
2. If you place the project workspace over an edge of the main General Beam window, then it
will dock to that edge.
How do I exit General Beam?

1. Pick File/Exit.
Working with Projects

These topics relate to the way in which you can work with projects in General Beam.

Related topics How do I create a new project?

How do I open an existing project?
How do I close a project?
How do I save a project with the same file name?
How do I save a project with a new file name?
How do I merge projects?
How do I send a project to someone using email?
How do I set project details?
How do I create a new project?

1. Pick File/New Project ( ).
2. Enter the Project Details (the Job No. is required, the other information is optional).
3. Enter the new beams Reference.
4. Your new project opens and you will see the Definition and Analysis Results windows for
the newly created beam.
How do I open an existing project?

1. Pick File/Open Project ( ).
2. Navigate to the folder which contains the project you want to open, then either click the
file name and then click Open or alternatively double click the file name.
How do I close a project?

1. Pick File/Close Project
2. If the project has not changed in any way since you last saved it, then it will close
immediately.
3. If the project has changed, then you will be asked if you want to save it. The options you
have are:
Yes save the project and then close it,
No close the project losing any unsaved changes,
Cancel abort the closing of the project, leaving it open.
How do I save a project with the same file name?

1. Pick File/Save Project ( ).
2. If you havent saved the project before, then you will see the Save As dialog.
3. Use this dialog to navigate to the folder into which you want to save the project, enter the
File name you want to use for the project and then click Save.

4. If you have saved the project before, and you simply want to update the saved file to take
account of any changes, then when you pick File/Save Project this happens
automatically.
How do I save a project with a new file name?

1. Pick File/Save Project As You will see the Save As dialog which automatically shows the
folder and file name under which the project is currently saved.
2. If necessary navigate to the folder into which you want to save the project and/or enter the
new File name you want to use for the project and then click Save.
How do I merge projects?

1. Open one of the projects which you want to merge with another.
2. Pick File/Merge Project
3. Navigate to the folder which contains the file you want to merge, then either click the file
name and then click Open or alternatively double click the file name.
How do I send a project to someone using email?

1. Pick File/Send Mail ( ).
2. You will see your email programs window with your project as an attachment. Simply
enter any explanatory text, and then send the email in the usual way.
How do I set project details?

You set the initial project details as you create a new project. If you want to change these later,
this is easily done.
1. Pick File/Project Details and you will see the Project Details dialog together with the
current information which is defined for this project.
2. Make any changes that are necessary, and then click OK to close the dialog.
Working with Beams

These topics relate to the way in which you handle beams within General Beam.
Related topics How do I add a new beam to a project?

How do I modify the reference details for a beam?
How do I define the basic beam details?
How do I define beam restraints?
How do I choose to design a beam?
How do I choose to check a beam of known size?
How do I copy a beam?

How do I delete a beam?

How do I edit the basic beam details?
How do I edit beam restraints?
How do I add a new beam to a project?

1. Pick Beam/New
2. Enter the Reference details of the beam and click OK.
3. New windows will be added to your project for your new beam, and corresponding entries
will be added to the Project Workspace.
4. To define the beams properties (details) pick Beam/Beam
How do I modify the reference details for a beam?

1. There are two methods which you can use to change the beam reference:
a. Ensure that a window relating to the beam whose reference you want to change is
active and then pick Beam/Reference
b. Right click over the reference that you want to change in the Project Workspace and
then pick Reference from the context menu.
2. Enter the amended Reference details for the beam and click OK.
How do I define the basic beam details?

1. Pick Beam/ Beam ( ).
2. Use the various pages of the Beam Properties sheet to define the beam, then click OK to set
these details.
How do I define beam restraints?

1. Pick Beam/ Restraints ( ).
2. This takes you to the Restraints pages of the Beam Properties sheet. Use the Restraints
pages to define these details, then click OK to set them.
How do I choose to design a beam?

1. Pick Beam/Design Beam ( ).
2. If you have already entered all the data for the beam, then you can proceed to design the
beam immediately, otherwise enter any remaining details and then perform the design.
How do I choose to check a beam of known size?

1. Pick Beam/Check Beam ( ).

2. If you have already entered all the data for the beam, then you can proceed to check it
immediately, otherwise enter any remaining details and then perform the check.
How do I copy a beam?

1. There are several methods which you can use to create a copy of an existing beam:
a. Pick Beam/Copy.
b. Enter CTRL+C from the keyboard.
c. Right click the beam reference in the project workspace and then choose Copy from
the context menu.
How do I delete a beam?

1. There are several methods which you can use to delete a beam:
a. Pick Beam/Delete.
b. Right click the beam reference in the project workspace and then choose Delete from
the context menu.
How do I edit the basic beam details?

1. Right click the beam reference in the project workspace and then choose Edit Beam
from the context menu.
2. Use the various pages of the Beam Properties sheet to change the beams details, then click
OK to set them.
How do I edit beam restraints?

1. Right click the beam reference in the project workspace and then choose Edit Restraints
from the context menu.
2. This takes you to the Restraints pages of the Beam Properties sheet. Use the Restraints
pages to amend these details, then click OK to set them.
Working with Load Cases and Combinations

You can define a wide range of loading in General Beam. The following topics deal with load
cases and combination.
Related topics How do I create load cases?

How do I add loads into a load case?
How do I define design combinations?
How do I create load cases?

1. Pick Loading/Loadcases to see the current load cases which you have defined.
2. Click Add to add a new load case for the beam.

3. Enter the title of this load case and its type.
4. Define the loads which the load case is to contain using the table at the bottom of the
Loadcase Details sheet.
5. Once your load case is complete click OK to save it and return to the list of load cases.
How do I add loads into a load case?

You add loads into a load case using the Loadcase Details sheet.
Help You access the Loadcase Details sheet by picking Loading/Loadcases
You then either click Add to add a new load case for the beam and define its
loads, or pick an existing load case and then click Edit to amend the loads
which it contains.
You can add loads in a wide range of local and global directions. In general the local directions
relate to the appropriate beam plane1 irrespective of the inclination2 and rotation of that plane3
as shown in the diagram below4:
local z (in-plane) load

local y (out-of-plane) load
local x (normal) load
Footnotes
1. the planes relate to the major and minor axis of the beam.
2. that is there is change in level between the ends of the beam / span
3. that is the orientation of the beam is such that its major axis is not vertical and its minor axis is not horizontal
4. the diagram shows the direction of positive loads in Building Modeller

The global directions are absolute, and forces applied in these directions will be resolved to
determine the loads which they generate in the beams local plane directions as shown in the
diagram below1:
global z (vertical) load induces bending

and axial forces in sloping members
global y (horizontal) load currently

members can not be sloped in this direction
global x (horizontal) load induces axial

and bending forces in sloping members
You can also rotate a member about its centre-line, by specifying its gamma angle. Again this
rotation does not affect loading applied with respect to the local axes of the member as shown
below2:

local z (in-plane) load
local y (out-of-plane) load
local x (normal) load
Footnotes

However for the loads applied in the global directions the forces are resolved to equate those
which are applied to the members local axes as illustrated in the diagrams below1.
global z (vertical) load
global y (horizontal) load
global x (horizontal) load
Note The inclination and rotation effects are entirely separate, and so you can apply
both an inclination and a rotation to an element should you need it.
General Beam allows you to define loads of the following types:

Load type Description
a uniform distributed load applied either over the total beam length, or the
Full UDL
total length of an individual span
a uniform distributed load applied either over part of the beam length, or
UDL
over part of the length of an individual spana
a point load applied either relative to the full length of the beam, or relative
Point Load
to the length of a particular span
Point a point moment applied either relative to the full length of the beam, or
Moment relative to the length of a particular span
a varying distributed load applied either over part of the beam length, or
VDL
over part of the length of an individual span
a trapezoidal load applied either over the total beam length, or the total
Trapezoidal length of an individual span. You can specify the distance along the beam
(in either way mentioned above) to the start of the uniform part of the load.
a. You specify the distance from the start of the beam/span to the start and end of the load. If you specify the start distance as zero and the
end distance as the span of the beam/span, then this load will be identical to a full UDL.
Footnotes

How do I define design combinations?

1. Pick Loading/Combinations to see the current combinations which you have defined
(if any).
2. Click Add to add a new combination for the beam.
3. Enter the title of this combination.
4. Define the load cases which are involved in this combination.
5. If necessary amend the automatically generated factors to those which you want to use.
6. Once your combination is complete click OK to save it and return to the list of
combinations.
Designing your Beam

The topics below relate to the way in which you design your beam in General Beam.
The topics in this section are.
Related topics How do I control the design process?

How do I perform the design?
How do I view a designs results?
How do I control the design process?

1. Pick Design/Wizard
2. Use the various pages of the Design Wizard sheet to specify any particular constraints you
want to apply to the design and then click OK to impose these.
How do I perform the design?

1. Pick Design/Beam ( ).
2. If you are automatically designing the beam (General Beam is choosing sections for you),
then you will see a list of those beam serial sizes and weights which are adequate for the
beam and loads as you have defined them. You can choose a particular beam size and
review its calculations in order to satisfy yourself with regard to the design. If you choose
other beam serial sizes, then the results display will automatically update to show the
results for this serial size.
3. If General Beam is checking a beam serial size which you have specified, then you will see
the results for that size immediately.
How do I view a designs results?

1. Pick Design/Beam ( ).

2. If the design is current (that is nothing has changed since the last design), then you will see
the results immediately.
3. If the design is not current then it will be performed while you wait (which in practice
means that you will see the results immediately on most modern systems).
Working with Views

The topics relate to the ways in which you can control views of your beams in General Beam.
Related topics How do I control the view in the Beam Definition window?
How do I view the analysis results for a beam?
How do I view major axis (in-plane) analysis results?
How do I view minor axis (out-of-plane) analysis results?
How do I view axial (along member) analysis results?
How do I control the content of the Beam Definition window?
How do I control the content of the Analysis Results windows?
How do I control the view in the Beam Definition window?

General Beam provides a whole range of options which allow you to control the view in the
Beam Definition window. You can use a range of standard views, or you can rotate the view to
any orientation you require. You can also zoom and pan the view so that you can see just what
you need. You can navigate through the most recent views you have defined quickly and easily.
To use a standard view

1. Simply use one of the methods below to choose the standard view that you want to see.
a. Pick View/OptionsView Name (where View Name is the name of the standard view
you want to see).
b. Right click over the Beam Definition window, and then pick the View Name from the
context menu.
c. Click the appropriate icon from the Beam Details View toolbar.
Icon View from:
Front
Top
Left
Back
Bottom
Right
South-West

Icon View from:

South-East
North-East
North-West
To rotate the view

If none of these standard views is appropriate, then you can rotate the beam to get to just the
view you require.
1. Simply right-click and hold over the beam in the Beam Definition window, and move the
mouse to perform the rotation.
2. Once you have achieved the view you require simply release the mouse button.
To zoom into an area

1. Pick View/OptionsZoom Area.
2. Move the mouse pointer over one corner of the area into which you want to zoom.
3. Click and hold the left mouse button and drag to the diametrically opposite corner of the
same area.
4. Release the mouse button and the display will zoom to show this area.
To zoom on the display centre

1. Click and hold both mouse buttons.
2. Move the mouse pointer down to zoom in-to the centre of the display or up to zoom
out-from it.
3. Alternatively if you have a mouse with a wheel you can rotate the wheel to zoom on the
centre of the display.
To pan the view?

1. Simply click and hold the left mouse button over the Beam Definition window, and move
the mouse to pan the display.
2. Once you can see the part of the view that you require simply release the mouse button.
To navigate through views

1. Simply use the buttons of the View toolbar to navigate through the views you have defined
in the Beam Definition window.
Icon Action
Show the first available view
Show the previous view

Icon Action
Show the next view
Show the last available view
Note These buttons perform different functions in the Analysis Results and Report
windows.
How do I view the analysis results for a beam?

1. You use the Analysis Results windows for the beam. There are two of these the Beam
Analysis window shows the results for the entire beam, the Span Analysis window shows
the results for one span of the beam at once. These are always kept up-to-date with the
current beam configuration and loading.
2. You use the Loading and Analysis toolbar to choose whether you want to see the results for
load cases ( ) or design combinations ( ).
3. You can choose which load case or combinations results you want to view by picking that
load case or combination from the list of those which you have defined.
4. If you are viewing the Span Analysis window (which shows the results on a span-by-span
basis) you can choose the span in which you are interested from the list of available spans.
5. You can also choose the plane in whose results you are interested. The options are:
in plane ( ),
out of plane ( ),
along member ( ).
To see actual values
1. Pick View/Properties ( ) to show the Properties dialog if it is not visible.
2. In this dialog simply tick the box for the details you want to see in the Analysis Results
window and remove the tick against those that you do not.
3. You can also enter a specific distance to see the results at that point.
To navigate along the beam

1. As well as entering a specific distance, you can move between points which General Beam
has defined to be of interest by using the buttons of the View toolbar.
Ico
Action
n
Show the first point of interest
Show the previous point of interest
Show the next point of interest

Ico
Action
n
Show the last point of interest
Note These buttons perform different functions in the Beam Definition and Report
windows.
How do I view major axis (in-plane) analysis results?

1. Pick the appropriate Analysis Results window the Beam Analysis one for the entire
beams results the Span Analysis one for a single spans results.
2. Pick the Major Axis (in plane) icon ( ) from the Loading and Analysis toolbar.
6. The Analysis Results window will show the appropriate major axis results.
How do I view minor axis (out-of-plane) analysis results?

2. Pick the Minor Axis (out-of-plane) icon ( ) from the Loading and Analysis toolbar.
6. The Analysis Results window will show the appropriate minor axis results.
How do I view axial (along member) analysis results?

2. Pick the Axial (along member) icon ( ) from the Loading and Analysis toolbar.

6. The Analysis Results window will show the appropriate axial results.
How do I control the content of the Beam Definition window?

1. With a definition window active pick View/Properties ( ).
2. In the Properties dialog simply tick the details you want to see and remove the tick against
those that you do not.
Note The views and content are separate items, you can therefore change the content
you want to view and then use the View toolbar to move through recent views
which will be updated to contain the current content.
How do I control the content of the Analysis Results windows?

1. With an analysis results window active pick View/Properties ( ).
2. In the Properties dialog simply tick the details you want to see and remove the tick against
those that you do not.
Working with Reports

Once you have defined your beams you can create a wide range of reports, many of which you
can tailor extensively to meet your, or your customers, specific requirements.
Related topics How do I set up a page header or page footer?

How do I set up a report page?
How do I control the contents of a report?
How do I view a report?
How do I control a report levels content?
How do I export a report to Microsoft Word?
How do I export a report to pdf?
How do I print a report?
How do I control the printer used to create a report?

How do I set up a page header or page footer?

The header and footer are tables which appear at the top and bottom respectively of every page
of your report. You can define the number of rows and columns in the tables, the widths of the
column, and you can also merge cells to increase the available size, for instance to
accommodate your company logo.
Once your table layout is complete you can determine which information appears in each cell,
and define the appropriate details.
1. Pick File/Report View SetupReport Define Header and you will see the Edit Header
Layout dialog, or pick File/Report View SetupReport Define Footer and you will see the
Edit Footer Layout dialog.
2. Once your settings are complete click OK to close the dialog.
How do I set the horizontal alignment of a cell?

1. Right click the cell in the table.
Note The current alignment setting for the cell is shown below the table.
2. Pick Horizontal Alignment/Left, Horizontal Alignment/Right, or Horizontal Alignment/

Centre from the context menu that appears.
3. The cell in the table shows the new alignment.
How do I set the vertical alignment of a cell?

1. Right click the cell in the table.
Note The current alignment setting for the cell is shown below the table.
2. Pick Vertical Alignment/Top, Vertical Alignment/Bottom, or Vertical Alignment/Centre

from the context menu that appears.
3. The cell in the table shows the new alignment.
How do I join cells?

1. Left click and hold over the top left most cell that you want to join.
2. Drag down and to the right and you will see a rectangle that follows the mouse pointer.
3. When the rectangle encompasses the cells that you want to join release the mouse button.
Note The lines between the cells are removed, however the cell field names are
maintained. However when cells are joined it is only the information referred to
by the top left hand most field that is displayed in the header.
How do I unjoin cells?

1. You can rejoin cells in a different combination as detailed above.
2. Alternatively you can right click over the top left hand most field name in the group of
joined cells and then pick Unjoin from the context menu that appears.

How do I add a row?

1. Click Add a row to add a row to the bottom of your table.
How do I add a column?

1. Click Add a column to add a column to the right of your table.
How do I delete a row?

1. Right click over the row that you want to delete.
2. Pick Delete row from the context menu that appears.
How do I delete a column?

1. Right click over the column that you want to delete.
2. Pick Delete column from the context menu that appears.
How do I set the column width?

1. Click Column Widths and you will see the Column Widths dialog.
2. Pick the column whose width you want to set, and then define the appropriate details in
the fields at the bottom of the dialog. The options are as follows:
Fixed The width of the column is fixed at the value you specify, the options are:
Percent The column takes up the specified percentage of the total page width.
mm The column is the specified number of millimetres wide. If you use this
option, then you must ensure that the total column widths fit within the printable
area of the page.
Residual The column takes up the remaining width not required by the other
columns in the table. You can only define one column which has its Type set to
Residual.
How do I determine which information shows in which cell?

1. Click on the variable that you want to place in the cell from the list of Fields.
2. Click on the field to set the field to show that variables name.
Note When cells are joined it is only the information referred to by the top left hand
most variable name that is displayed in the header.
How do I define the information for a variable?

1. Click Edit fields to see the Edit Fields dialog.
2. Pick the field from the list of the Available Fields, and then define the appropriate data in
the Field Settings part of the dialog.
How do I add a new variable or delete one that I previously added but no longer require?
1. Click Add/Remove fields
2. To add a new field type in the field name that you want to use (this must be different from
any existing field name), and then click Add.

3. To delete a field that you dont require pick the field from the list of Available Fields, and
then click Remove.
How do I set up a report page?

1. Pick File/Report View SetupReport Print Options and you will see the Report Settings
dialog.
2. Use the various pages of this dialog to set the margins you want to use, the details which
you want to appear in the header and footer, and the fonts that you want to use within
your report.
3. Once your settings are complete click OK to close the dialog.
How do I control the contents of a report?

1. Pick File/Report Contents ( ) and you will see the Report Contents property sheet
which has several pages which allow you to specify exactly what your report will contain
as detailed below.
a. The Settings page allows you to control the level of output Full, Reduced or
Summary which you require for each beam in the project.
Note If you want to omit a beam from your report completely, then you do so using the
Beams page.
You can also control the information which is included for each level of output
using this page.
b. The Project page allows you to print a table of all the beams which are contained in
your project.
c. The Beams page allows you to tailor the output of the input data which you have
defined for a beam, on a beam-by-beam basis. This is the information on which the
design results (controlled by the Design page) are based. The initial settings on this
page are predicated by the level of output you set for the beam on the Settings page,
however you can change these settings at will for individual beams.
d. The Design page allows you to tailor the output of the design results which General
Beam has derived for a beam on a beam-by-beam basis. This is the information which
explains how the summarised results have been obtained. The initial settings on this
page are predicated by the level of output you set for the beam on the Settings page,
however you can change these settings at will for individual beams.
e. The Copy page allows you to copy the settings which you have made on the Beams
and/or Design pages for an individual beam in your project to other beams which you
select on this page.
How do I view a report?

1. Set the basic level at which you want to include the output for each individual beam in
your project, and tailor this as necessary for any individual beam.

2. If you want to make wide-scale changes which apply to many/or all the beams in your
project, then you might find it easier to tailor the content which will be included in your
report at a given level.
3. Once you have made your settings pick File/Report View ( ) and the report will be
generated and shown on your screen. You can tailor the way in which the report is shown
to achieve a result which enables you to best view the details you require.
4. Once you can see the report you can choose to export it to a pdf file, export it to Microsoft
Word, or print it to produce a hard copy.
To navigate through a report

1. You can navigate through the report by using the buttons of the View toolbar.
Ico
Action
n
Show the first page of the report
Show the previous page of the report
Show the next page of the report
Show the last page of the report
Note These buttons perform different functions in the Beam Definition and Analysis
Results windows.
How do I control a report levels content?

1. Pick File/Report Contents and you will see the Report Contents property sheet
Settings page. Click Edit Level, and you will see the Report Levels Content dialog which
allows you to specify the information which you want to include for a level exactly.
Note The Application list only shows General Beam when you access it from withIn
General Beam. If you access this dialog from within Building Modeller, then the
Application list shows all the applications which generate output, so you can
tailor these individually.
2. Select the Report Level whose output you want to tailor from the list. The Include Beam
Options and Include Design Options lists are set to show the current settings for these
levels.
3. The Include Beam Options list contains a list of available items which you tick if you want
to include the item in your report, or clear the tick to remove that item from your report.
4. The Include Design Options list is a little more sophisticated. Again you tick an item if you
want to include it in your report, or clear the tick if you dont want to include it. However
in this list, for many options, when you click the tick box for an option, or the option name
(if you dont want to change the tick box setting), then you will see a group of available
Output Levels Summary, Reduced or Full. You simply choose the level at which you want

this items output including in your report. Generally, for a particular option, the
Summary level will give the overall result, the Reduced level will give other important
information which is used to derive the overall result and the Full level will give the
complete calculations.
5. Once you have made your settings click OK to save and use these.
How do I export a report to Microsoft Word?

1. Set up your report so that it contains the information you require.
2. Pick File/Export report to Word ( ). Word will open and you will see a dialog which
allows you to control the formatting of the report. Make the settings that you require, and
then click OK.
Note At this point, if your report runs to many pages, you may see the message
Because there is a large amount of input data, the document must be saved
periodically during the import process. If you do not wish to save the
document select Cancel. If you click OK, then you should immediately see the
Word Save As dialog so that you can specify the name under which the file will
be saved. Sometimes you will not see this dialog, and after a short delay you will
see a Server Busy dialog instead! Dont panic, this just means that Word is
waiting for you to give the file name, its just that you cant see the Save As dialog
as it is hidden by another window. Simply click Switch to to bring Word to the
front of all other windows, you will then be able to see the Save As dialog. Now
enter the file name and click OK to continue with the export process. This is a
known issue with Word.
3. After a delay while the export process completes you will see the report in Word.
How do I export a report to pdf?

2. Pick File/Export report to PDF. The report will be created immediately, and you will see a
dialog asking if you want to view the file.
3. If you do click Yes.
How do I print a report?

2. Pick File/Print ( ). You will see your systems normal Print dialog.
3. Make the settings you require and then click OK.
How do I control the printer used to create a report?

1. Pick File/Print Setup you will see your systems normal Print Setup dialog.
2. Make the settings you require and then click OK.

Exporting information from General Beam

The topics below relate to exporting information from General Beam.
Related topics How do I export a beam into S-Frame?

How do I request a Westok beam design?
How do I return information to the Building Designer?
How do I export a beam to Fabsec?
How do I export a beam into S-Frame?

1. Create your beam in General Beam in the usual way.
2. Pick File/Export Beam to S-Frame1. S-Frame will launch, and you will see your beams
details therein.
How do I request a Westok beam design?

1. Create your beam in General Beam in the usual way.
2. Pick File/Westok beam design request
3. You will see your email programs window with your project as an attachment. Simply
enter any explanatory text, and then send the email in the usual way.
4. The details you have defined in General Beam are sufficient for Westok to perform a
design for you.
How do I return information to the Building Designer?

This option is only available when you have defined a beam in Building Designer, and
transferred it from there into General Beam in order to work on it.
1. Manipulate the design in General Beam until you have achieved a result with which you
are satisfied.
2. Pick Beam/Return Section to Building Designer to return the section size details only back
to that application.
How do I export a beam to Fabsec?

1. Pick Beam/Export to Fabsec
Footnotes
1. If you have not purchased and installed S-Frame, this menu option will be dimmed.

HANDBOOK
GENERAL BEAM
.fastrak5950.com
CSC Fastrak

analysis and design
General Beam Documentation page 34

Chapter 2 : Introduction and application General Beam Engineers Handbook page 35
Information for the Engineer
Chapter 2 Introduction and application
This is design software which allows you to analyse and design a structural steel beam or
cantilever which may have incoming beams providing restraint, and which may or may not be
continuously restrained over any length between restraints
You can use General Beam:

to determine those sections which can withstand the applied loading,
to check a beam of known size to determine whether it is able to carry the loading.
Unless explicitly stated all calculations in General Beam are in accordance with the relevant
sections of BS 5950-1:2000. You may find the handbook and commentary to the Code of
Practice published by the Steel Construction Institute useful.
Practical applications
General Beam can be used both to design (design beam mode) and check (check beam mode)
general beams.
You might find the following procedures useful.
Designing a beam
In the typical procedure below items in brackets [] are optional.
Step Icon Instructions
1 Launch General Beam,
2 Create a new project giving the project name [and other project details],
3 Give the beam reference details,
4 Set General Beam into design beam mode,
Define the properties for the beam:

5 number of spans, span lengths, section types and section grades;
end support conditions.
6 Give the details of the beam restraints for lateral-torsional- and strut-buckling.
E:\CSC Doc\General Beam\General beam handbook.fm

General Beam Engineers Handbook page 36 Chapter 2 : Introduction and application
7 Define the loadcases that apply to the beam.
8 Incorporate the loadcases into a series of design combinations,
9 [Make any Design Wizard settings that you want to use to control the design.]
10 Perform the design
From the list of suitable sections preview the results for the more desirable
11 sections and then choose the one that you would like to use,
12 Add in any web openings that you need to allow access for services etc.
Check the beam with the web openings. [Stiffen the web openings if
13 necessary, or increase the size of the beam until the beam with openings is
satisfactory.]
14 Specify the content of the report [and print it].
15 Save the project to disk.
Checking a beam
In the typical procedure below items in brackets [] are optional.
1 Launch General Beam,
2 Create a new project giving the project name [and other project details],
3 Give the beam reference details,
4 Set General Beam into check beam mode,
Define the properties for the beam:

5 number of spans, span lengths, section sizes and section grades;
end support conditions.
6 Add in any web openings that you need to allow access for services etc.

7 Give the details of the beam restraints.
8 Define the loadcases that apply to the beam.
9 Incorporate the loadcases into a series of design combinations,
10 [Make any Design Wizard settings that you want to use to control the design.]
11 Perform the check, (including any web openings),
[Stiffen the web openings if necessary, or increase the size of the beam until
12 the beam with openings is satisfactory.]
13 Specify the content of the report [and print it].
14 Save the project to disk.
Worked Example
If you want to work through this example you will find the file Engineers Example 1 in
the \documents and settings\All Users\Application
Data\CSC\Fastrak\Examples folder. You can open and use this file, but you can not save
it away unless you change its name, this is done to protect the original.
Lets take a simple example of a continuous 2 x 9 m span spine beam with 6 m span secondary
beams at third points.
The floor loading is:
giving point load at the middle

Condition Value support, and at 3 m and 6 m on
each beam of
Dead 2.0 kN/m2 36kN

giving point load at the middle

Condition Value support, and at 3 m and 6 m on
each beam of
Services 1.0 kN/m2 18kN
Live 5.0 kN/m2 90kN
For the purposes of this example the point load on the middle support is specified by defining
half the load at the end of beam span 1 and half at the start of beam span 2.
The incoming beams are such that they provide restraint against lateral-torsional-buckling to
both flanges, but they dont provide restraint against strut-buckling.
The ends of the beam have simple supports onto other beams.
Design pass 1
Performing a design for UB sections only, and with all the non-preferred sections excluded
from the design process (see the example in the Simple Beam Engineers Handbook), the first
section presented is a 610 210 UB 101. If you look at the analysis results you will see that all the
results are symmetric.
General Beam does not automatically consider pattern loading. If you want to do so, then you
must specify the appropriate load cases and combinations yourself.
Design pass 2
If you want to work through this example you will find the file Engineers Example 2 in
the \documents and settings\All Users\Application
Data\CSC\Fastrak\Examples folder. You can open and use this file, but you can not save
it away unless you change its name, this is done to protect the original.
For this example you determine that the pattern that you want to consider is:
full service load on one span, with 50% service load on the other, and

full live load on one span with no live load on the other.
This means that you need six new loadcases:
Full Service Span 1,
Full Service Span 2,
50% Service Span 1,
50% Service Span 2,
Live Span 1, and
Live Span 2.
The loadings that these require are easy to derive from the loading given above.
You also need 2 new combinations for the pattern loading:

Pattern 1 - Dead + Full Service Span 1 + 50% Service Span 2 + Live Span 1, and
Pattern 2 - Dead + 50% Service Span 1 + Full Service Span 2 + Live Span 2.
You can review the analysis results for these two combinations immediately.

If you want to review the design results, then you need to re-perform the design. This time the
design is virtually instantaneous, General Beam simply checks the existing section, since after
the first design it automatically changed from designing sections to checking them.
As expected it is the deflections that are affected by the pattern loading, and the shears at the
ends of the beam (as they apply to the supports).
Design Pass 3
If you click the Design Beam icon again, and then perform the design and you will find that
this takes significantly longer than the initial one (Design Pass 1). This is because General
Beam now has to work with three combinations, rather than then initial one. The design
checks have to thus run three times for each section which General Beam investigates.
On completion of the design you will find that you are presented with the same list of
acceptable sections as for Design Pass 1.

Chapter 3 : Scope General Beam Engineers Handbook page 41
Chapter 3 Scope
In its simplest form a general beam can be a single member between supports to which it is
pinned. It is distinguished from a standard simple beam primarily by the loading it has to
resist.
It can also be a continuous beam consisting of multiple members that do not, with the
exception of the remote ends, transfer moment to the rest of the structure.
General beams that share load with columns form part of a rigid moment resisting frame.
The design of general beams is carried out for rolled sections only. Currently uniform and
non-uniform plated sections (including Fabsec beams), and Westok beams cannot be defined
as general beams. Web openings are not permitted.
General beams can be connected to supports or to the supporting structure in a number of

ways. For the meaning and implementation of the various choices see Member End Fixity and
Supports. The options are subtly different depending upon whether the general beam is
defined in the Building Designer1 or is defined within General Beam directly.
Conditions of restraint can be defined in- and out-of-plane for strut buckling and top and
bottom flange for lateral torsional buckling (LTB). It is upon these that the buckling checks are
based.
Where both flanges are provided with LTB restraints at the same position, they are simply
considered as top and bottom flange restraints that just happen to be coincident, that is they
are not treated as a torsional restraint. This means that, where a beam has one or more pairs of
LTB restraints between supports, the checks are set up between supports and not between a
support and an internal LTB restraint pair or between internal LTB restraint pairs.
When the general beam is an object in the Building Designer the design forces for strength and
buckling checks are obtained from analysis of the member using the start forces for the
member. These are obtained from the solver results. There can be a difference between the
start forces from the Building Designer (analysis of the entire structure) and those obtained
within General Beam (analysis of a limited model). Within General Beam a full range of
loading is available, from which loadcases and design combinations can be created.
General beams can be transferred from Building Designer to General Beam. When a general
beam has been transferred from Building Designer in this way its loads and loadcases are
editable. However any changes to these will invalidate the start and end forces obtained from
the building model. To cater for this, if any load or loadcase is modified, a design in General
Beam will reanalyse all the beams loadcases.
Editing of the design combinations does not require reanalysis since the start and end forces
are obtained by superposition.
Footnotes
1. A general beam that is defined in Building Designer is referred to as a Building Designer general beam object.

General Beam Engineers Handbook page 42 Chapter 3 : Scope
A full range of strength and buckling checks are available including Annex G Elastic to G.2.1.
As mentioned above the buckling lengths are based on the restraints along the member. The
effective lengths to use in the checks depend on:
the type of restraint particularly at supports,
whether the loads or one component of the loads is destabilizing,
whether the frame is sway or non-sway in one or both directions this has little effect on
beam design.
In all cases, General Beam sets the default effective length to 1.0L, it does not attempt to adjust
the effective length (between supports for example) in any way. You are expected to adjust the
effective length factor (up or down) as necessary. Any strut or LTB effective length can take the
type Continuous to indicate that it is continuously restrained over that length.
Each span of a continuous beam can be of different section size, type and grade. The entire
beam can be set to automatic design or check design.

Chapter 4 : Limitations and Assumptions General Beam Engineers Handbook page 43
Chapter 4 Limitations and Assumptions
Limitations
The following limitations apply:
composite beams are excluded,
continuous general beams (more than one span) must be co-linear in the plane of the web
within a small tolerance (sloping in elevation is allowed),
web openings, plated sections including Fabsec beams (with or without openings) and
Westok beams are all excluded,
sections with unequal flanges are excluded. This includes plated section beams that have
unequal flanges, Slimflor beams and asymmetric Slimflor beams,
there can be a difference in analysis results between those from the Building Designer
(analysis of the entire structure) and those when run in stand-alone (analysis of a limited
model),
there is no automatic generation of pattern loads either in the stand-alone or in Building
Designer.
Assumptions
All supports are considered to provide torsional restraint, that is lateral restraint to both
flanges. This cannot be changed. It is assumed that a beam that is continuous through the web
of a supporting beam or column together with its substantial moment resisting end plate
connections is able to provide such restraint.
If, at the support, the beam oversails the supporting beam or column then the detail is
assumed to be such that the bottom flange of the general beam is well connected to the
supporting member and, as a minimum, has torsional stiffeners provided at the support to
Clause 4.5.7 of BS 5950-1: 2000.
In the Building Designer model, when not at supports, coincident restraints to both flanges are
assumed when one or more members frame into the web of the general beam at a particular
position and the cardinal point of the centre-line model of the general beam lies in the web.
Otherwise, only a top flange or bottom flange restraint is assumed.
Intermediate lateral restraints to the top or bottom flange are assumed to be capable of
resisting the forces given in Clause 4.3.2.2 of BS 5950-1: 2000 and transferring these back to an
appropriate system of bracing or suitably rigid part of the structure.
Members that provide restraint to major or minor axis strut buckling are assumed to be
capable of resisting 1% of the axial force in the restrained member and of transferring this to
adjacent points of positional restraint as given in Clause 4.7.1.2 of BS 5905-1: 2000.
It is assumed that you will make a rational and correct choice for the effective lengths between
restraints for both LTB and strut buckling. The default value for the effective length factor of 1.0
may be neither correct nor safe.

General Beam Engineers Handbook page 44 Chapter 5 : Analysis
Chapter 5 Analysis
Building Modeller object

The member end forces for each unfactored loadcase are obtained by submitting the whole
model from the Building Designer to the solver. For a general beam in General Beam an
appropriate sub-model is sent to the solver. The results from the Building Designer and those
from General Beam may not be exactly the same due to (potential) differences inherent in
using the full- and sub-model.
General Beam
The capacity or resistance is only calculated when an applied force exists about the relevant
axis that is greater than the ignore forces below value you have specified.

Chapter 6 : Ultimate Limit State Strength General Beam Engineers Handbook page 45
Chapter 6 Ultimate Limit State Strength
The checks relate to doubly symmetric prismatic sections (that is rolled I- and H-sections), to
singly symmetric sections i.e. channel sections and to doubly symmetric hollow sections i.e.
SHS, RHS and CHS. Other section types are not currently covered.
The strength checks relate to a particular point on the member and are carried out at 20th
points and points of interest.
Classification
General The classification of the cross section is in accordance with BS 5950-1: 2000.
General beam can be classified as:

Plastic Class = 1
Compact Class = 2
Semi-compact Class = 3
Slender Class = 4
Class 4 sections are not allowed.
Sections with a Class 3 web can be taken as Class 2 sections (Effective Class 2) providing the
cross section is equilibrated to that described in Clause 3.5.6 where the section is given an
effective plastic section modulus, Seff. For rolled I and H sections in the UK, this gives no
advantage in pure bending since the web d/t is too small. Hence for general beams there is
likely to be little advantage in using this approach since the axial loads are generally small, this
classification is therefore not implemented.
All unacceptable classifications are either failed in check mode or rejected in design mode.
Hollow sections The classification rules for SHS and RHS relate to hot-finished hollow
sections only (cold-formed hollow sections are not included in this release).
Important Note
1. The classification used to determine Mb is based on the maximum axial compressive load
in the relevant segment length. Furthermore, the Code clearly states that this classification
should (only) be used to determine the moment capacity and lateral torsional buckling
resistance to Clause 4.2 and 4.3 for use in the interaction equations. Thus, when carrying
out the strength checks, the program determines the classification at the point at which
strength is being checked.
Shear Capacity
The shear check is performed according to BS 5950-1: 2000 Clause 4.2.3. for the absolute value
of shear force normal to the x-x axis (Fvx) and normal to the y-y axis (Fvy), at the point under
consideration.

General Beam Engineers Handbook page 46 Chapter 6 : Ultimate Limit State Strength
Shear buckling When the web slenderness exceeds 70 shear buckling can occur in rolled
sections. There are very few standard rolled sections that breach this limit. General Beam will
warn you if this limit is exceeded, but will not carry out any shear buckling checks.
Moment Capacity
The moment capacity check is performed according to BS 5950-1: 2000 Clause 4.2.5 for the
moment about the x-x axis (Mx) and about the y-y axis (My), at the point under consideration.
The moment capacity can be influenced by the magnitude of the shear force (low shear and
high shear conditions). The maximum absolute shear to either side of a point load is
examined to determine the correct condition for the moment capacity in that direction.
Note
Not all cases of high shear in two directions combined with moments in two directions along
with axial load are considered thoroughly by BS 5950-1: 2000. The following approach is
adopted by General Beam:
if high shear is present in one axis or both axes and axial load is also present, the
cross-section capacity check is given a Beyond Scope status. The message associated with
this status is High shear and axial load are present, additional hand calculations are
required for cross-section capacity to Annex H.3. General Beam does not perform any
calculations for this condition.
if high shear and moment is present in both axes and there is no axial load (biaxial
bending) the cross-section capacity check is given a Beyond Scope status and the
associated message is, High shear present normal to the y-y axis, no calculations are
performed for this condition.
if high shear is present normal to the y-y axis and there is no axial load, the y-y moment
check and the cross-section capacity check are each given Beyond Scope statuses. The
message associated with this condition is, High shear present normal to the y-y axis, no
calculations are performed for this condition.
Axial Capacity
The axial capacity check is performed according to BS 5950-1: 2000 Clause 4.6.1 using the
gross area and irrespective of whether the axial force is tensile or compressive. This check is for
axial compression capacity and axial tension capacity. Compression resistance is a buckling
check and as such is considered under Compression Resistance.
Cross-section Capacity
The cross-section capacity check covers the interaction of axial load and bending to Clause
4.8.2 and 4.8.3.2 appropriate to the type (for example doubly symmetric) and classification
of the section. Since the axial tension capacity is not adjusted for the area of the net section
then the formulae in Clause 4.8.2.2 and 4.8.3.2 are the same and can be applied irrespective of
whether the axial load is compressive or tensile.
The Note in Moment Capacity also applies here.

Chapter 7 : Ultimate Limit State Buckling General Beam Engineers Handbook page 47
Chapter 7 Ultimate Limit State Buckling
Lateral Torsional Buckling Resistance, Clause 4.3

For beams that are unrestrained over part or all of a span, a Lateral Torsional Buckling (LTB)
check is required either:
in its own right, Clause 4.3 check,
as part of an Annex G check,
as part of a combined buckling check to 4.8.3.3.1, 4.8.3.3.2 or 4.8.3.3.3, (see Member
Buckling Resistance, Clause 4.8.3.3.1, Member Buckling Resistance, Clause 4.8.3.3.2, and
Member Buckling Resistance, Clause 4.8.3.3.3, respectively)
This check is not carried out under the following circumstances:
when bending exists about the minor axis only,
when the section is a CHS or SHS,
when the section is an RHS that satisfies the limits given in Table 15 of BS 5950-1: 2000.
For sections in which LTB cannot occur (the latter two cases above) the value of Mb for use in
the combined buckling check is taken as the full moment capacity, Mcx, not reduced for high
shear in accordance with Clause 4.8.3.3.3 (c), equation 2 (See Member Buckling Resistance,
Clause 4.8.3.3.3).
Effective lengths The value of effective length factor is entirely at your choice. The default
value is 1.0 for normal loads and 1.2 for destabilizing loads. Different values can apply in the
major and minor axis.
Lateral Torsional Buckling Resistance, Annex G

This check is applicable to I- and H-sections with equal or unequal1 flanges.
The definition of this check is the out-of-plane buckling resistance of a member or segment
that has a laterally unrestrained compression flange and the other flange has intermediate
lateral restraints at intervals. It is used normally to check the members in portal frames in
which only major axis moment and axial load exist. Although not stated explicitly in BS
5950-1: 2000, it is taken that the lateral torsional buckling moment of resistance, Mb, from the
Annex G check can be used in the interaction equations of Clause 4.8.3.3 (combined
buckling).
Since this is not explicit within BS 5950-1: 2000 a slight conservatism is introduced. In a
straightforward Annex G check the axial load is combined with major axis moment. In this
case both the slenderness for lateral torsional buckling and the slenderness for compression
buckling are modified to allow for the improvement provided by the tension flange restraints
(LT replaced by TB and replaced by TC). When performing a combined buckling check in
accordance with 4.8.3.3 the improvement is taken into account in determining the buckling
Footnotes
1. Unequal flanged sections are not currently included.

General Beam Engineers Handbook page 48 Chapter 7 : Ultimate Limit State Buckling
resistance moment but not in determining the compression resistance. If the incoming
members truly only restrain the tension flange, then you should switch off the minor axis strut
restraint at these positions.
The original source research work for the codified approach in Annex G used test specimens
in which the tension flange was continuously restrained. When a segment is not continuously
restrained but is restrained at reasonably frequent intervals it can be clearly argued that the
approach holds true. With only one or two restraints present then this is less clear.BS 5950-1:
2000 is clear that there should be at least one intermediate lateral restraint (See Annex
G.1.1). Nevertheless, you are ultimately responsible for accepting the adequacy of this approach.
For this check General Beam sets mt to 1.0 and calculates nt. The calculated value of nt is based
on Mmax being taken as the maximum of M1 to M5, and not the true maximum moment value
where this occurs elsewhere in the length. The effect of this approach is likely to be small. If at
any of points 1 - 5, R >11, then General Beam sets the status of the check to Beyond Scope.
Reference restraint axis distance, a The reference restraint axis distance is measured
between some reference axis on the restrained member - usually the centroid - to the axis of
restraint - usually the centroid of the restraining member. The measurement is shown
diagramatically in Figure G.1 of BS 5950-1: 2000.
General Beam does not attempt to determine this value automatically, since such an approach
is fraught with difficulty and requires information from you which is only used for this check.
Instead, by default, General Beam uses half the depth of the restrained section, and you can
specify a value to be added to, or subtracted from, this at each restraint point. You are
responsible for specifying the appropriate values for each restraint position. The default value of
0 mm may be neither correct nor safe.
Compression Resistance
For most structures, all the members resisting axial compression need checking to ensure
adequate resistance to buckling about both the major- and minor-axis. Since the axial force
can vary throughout the member and the buckling lengths in the two planes do not necessarily
coincide, both are checked. Because of the general nature of a general beam, it may not always
be safe to assume that the combined buckling check will always govern. Hence the
compression resistance check is performed independently from the other strength and
buckling checks.
Effective lengths The value of effective length factor is entirely at your choice. The default
value is 1.0 for normal loads and 1.2 for destabilizing loads. Different values can apply in the
major and minor axis.
Beams are less affected by sway than columns but the effectiveness of the incoming members
to restrain the beam in both position and direction is generally less than for columns. Hence, it
is less likely that effective length factors greater than 1.0 will be required but equally factors
less than 1.0 may not easily be justified. Nevertheless, it is your responsibility to adjust the
value from 1.0 and to justify such a change.
Footnotes
1. Which could happen since R is based on Z and not S.

Chapter 7 : Ultimate Limit State Buckling General Beam Engineers Handbook page 49
Of more importance in beam design is the possible existence of destabilizing loads. These can
affect the effective length for lateral torsional buckling (see Lateral Torsional Buckling
Resistance, Clause 4.3).
Please note that the requirements for slenderness limits in (for example l/r 180) are no longer
included in BS 5950-1: 2000. Consequently General Beam does not carry out such checks.
Accordingly, for lightly loaded members you should ensure that the slenderness ratio is within
reasonable bounds to permit handling and erection and to provide a reasonable level of
robustness.
Member Buckling Resistance, Clause 4.8.3.3.1

This check is used for channel sections. Such sections can be Class 1, 2 or 3 Plastic, Compact
or Semi-compact (Class 4 Slender sections and Effective Class 2 sections are not allowed in
this release).
Note that, whilst this check could be used for any section type dealt with in the subsequent
sections, the results can never be any better than the alternatives but can be worse.
Two formulae are provided in Clause 4.8.3.3.1, both are checked; the second is calculated twice
once for the top flange and once for the bottom flange.
See also the Important Note at the end of Member Buckling Resistance, Clause 4.8.3.3.2.
Only one value of F is used, the worst anywhere in the length being checked. If the axial load is
tensile, then F is taken as zero.
If this check is invoked as part of an Annex G check, and thus Mb is governed by Annex G,
then mLT is taken as 1.0.

This check is used for Class 1, 2 and 3 Plastic, Compact and Semi-compact rolled I- and
H-sections with equal flanges (Class 4 Slender sections and Effective Class 2 sections are not
included in this release).
Three formulae are provided in Clause 4.8.3.3.2 (c) to cover the combined effects of major and
minor axis moment and axial force.These are used irrespective of whether all three forces/
moments exist. Clause 4.9 deals with biaxial moment in the absence of axial force, Clause
4.8.3.3.2 (c) can also be used in such cases by setting the axial force to zero.
All three formulae in Clause 4.8.3.3.2 (c) are checked; the second is calculated twice once for
each flange.

General Beam Engineers Handbook page 50 Chapter 7 : Ultimate Limit State Buckling
Important Note
1. Clause 4.8.3.3.4 defines the various equivalent uniform moment factors. The last three
paragraphs deal with modifications to these depending upon the method used to allow for
the effects of sway. This requires that for sway sensitive frames the uniform moment
factors, mx, my and mxy, should be applied to the non-sway moments only. In this release
there is no mechanism to separate the sway and non-sway moments, General Beam adopts
the only conservative approach and sets these 'm' factors equal to 1.0 if the frame is sway
sensitive (in either direction). This is doubly conservative for sway-sensitive unbraced
frames since it is likely that all the loads in a design combination and not just the lateral
loads will be amplified. In such a case, both the sway and non-sway moments are
increased by kamp and neither are reduced by the above m factors. The calculation of mLT
is unaffected by this approach, and thus if the second equation of Clause 4.8.3.3.2 (c)
governs, then the results are not affected.

This check is used for Class 1, 2 and 3 Plastic, Compact and Semi-compact hollow sections
(Class 4 Slender sections and Effective Class 2 sections are not included in this release).
Four formulae are provided in Clause 4.8.3.3.3 (c) to cover the combined effects of major and
minor axis moment and axial force. These are used irrespective of whether all three forces/
moments exist. Clause 4.9 deals with biaxial moment in the absence of axial force, Clause
4.8.3.3.3 (c) can also be used in such cases by setting the axial force to zero.
The second and third formulae are mutually exclusive that is the second is used for CHS,
SHS and for RHS when the limits contained in Table 15 are not exceeded. On the other hand
the third formula is used for those RHS that exceed the limits given in Table 15. Thus only
three formulae are checked; the first, second and fourth or the first, third and fourth. Either
the second or third (as appropriate) is calculated twice once for each flange.
See also the Important Note at the end of Member Buckling Resistance, Clause 4.8.3.3.2.

Chapter 8 : Serviceability Limit State General Beam Engineers Handbook page 51
Chapter 8 Serviceability Limit State
For general beams, the deflection profile along the member is established based on the start
slope of the member derived from the joint rotation, in the appropriate direction for the
member under consideration.
For beams, it is the in-plane deflections that are of most interest. However, both in-plane and
out-of-plane deflections are given local z and local y deflections respectively. Results are
given for all Dead loads, all Imposed loads and for Total loads in a particular design
combination. In all cases these are the sum of the deflections for each appropriate unfactored
loadcase, that is the load factor is taken as 1.0.
Where appropriate the maximum deflection for both the positive and negative local directions
is given and compared with the limits specified in the Design Wizard. This comparison is only
made for major axis deflections (local z) in the current release.
In the stand-alone of General Beam the graphic will show deflection in the local z and local y
for both individual loadcases and for design combinations based on unfactored loadcases.

General Beam Engineers Handbook page 52 Chapter 9 : Member End Fixity and Supports
Chapter 9 Member End Fixity and Supports
In order to provide a robust design model, the fixity at member ends and the associated
supporting structure or supports to ground must be compatible with the type of connection,
base and foundation that is to be used.
General Beam Stand-alone

Internal supports are designated as Continuous and you cannot edit these. At the remote ends
of the beam there are a number of options for the combined end fixity and support conditions.
These are given below:
Free end as in a cantilever,
Simple connection pinned to the support or supporting member. This means pinned
about the major and minor axes of the section but fixed torsionally,
Moment connection major axis moment connection, and pinned about the minor axis.
This option requires the size and length to the point of contraflexure of the columns above
and below the connection,
Fully fixed encastr, all degrees of freedom fixed.
Building Designer
End fixity in continuous beams Whilst in the stand-alone program member end fixity and
supports are dealt with as one entity, in the Building Designer supports are a separate issue and
hence are dealt with separately below.
All internal connections are considered Continuous if a pin were to be introduced at an

internal position then there would be two beams, hence you cannot edit this setting.
At the remote ends of the beam there are a number of options for the end fixity depending
upon to what the end of the beam is connected. These are:
If not connected to a beam or column or to a supplementary support
Free end (default!)
If connected to an existing member
Simple connection (default)
Moment connection
If connected to a Supplementary Support
Simple connection (default)
Fully fixed.
The interpretation of these descriptions in relation to being pinned about a particular axis is
the same as in General Beam Stand-alone.

Chapter 9 : Member End Fixity and Supports General Beam Engineers Handbook page 53
Moment connections to supporting beams at the remote ends of general beams are prevented.
Similarly, for such connections to the web of an I/H section column or to the face of a hollow
section column. If you attempt to use such a connection General Beam issues a warning
message. This is to draw your attention to the difficulty and cost of making such a connection
and, perhaps more importantly, to the possibility that such a joint will not behave as fully rigid.

General Beam Engineers Handbook page 54 Chapter 10 : Design Procedure
Chapter 10 Design Procedure
Lateral torsional buckling checks

The process for carrying out LTB checks is determined by whether the beam has intermediate
restraints to the top or bottom flange, or both. The impact of one or more of the segment
lengths being continuously restrained is also considered. The principal check is that given in
Clause 4.3 of BS 5950-1: 2000 but in certain circumstances an Annex G.2 check is also carried
out between torsional restraints. You have full control of whether at a particular position one
or both flanges are restrained. Restraint to both flanges that are coincident will be taken as
torsional1.
More information on restraints and the LTB check itself are given in Assumptions and
Lateral Torsional Buckling Resistance, Clause 4.3 respectively. Section types that are not
susceptible to LTB for example circular and square hollow sections are not processed.
General Beam identifies the relevant checks and the lengths over which these checks are
performed these lengths are termed segment lengths. There is a segment length for each
Clause 4.3 check and each Annex G.2 check. For each individual check the following are
determined within the segment length:
maximum moment, Mx,
uniform moment factor, mLT, based on the moment profile Clause 4.3 only,
slenderness correction factor, nt, based on the moment ratios Annex G.2 only.
The check process generates a set of checks and their associated segment lengths in
accordance with Clause 4.32. As part of the Annex G check each segment length between
restraints to the top and bottom flanges is also checked to Clause 4.3 separately3. This is
Footnotes
1. In this release, such torsional restraints are simply considered as top and bottom flange restraints that just
happen to be coincident. This means that, where a beam has one or more torsional restraints between supports,
the checks are set up between supports and not between a support and an internal torsional restraint or between
internal torsional restraints.
2. These are referred to as proper 4.3 checks.
3. These are referred to as Annex G 4.3 checks.

Chapter 10 : Design Procedure General Beam Engineers Handbook page 55
irrespective of whether these restraints are to the compression or tension flange. This can
result in checks over the same length or different lengths to the proper Clause 4.3 checks. An
example is given below.
proper 4.3 proper 4.3

Annex G Annex G 4.3 Annex G 4.3
4.3
points of contraflexure
Annex G 4.3 Annex G 4.3

Annex G
LTB restraints and checks
In this example, the proper Clause 4.3 checks that are identified are between the torsional
restraint and the first intermediate restraint that restrains the top flange when in compression,
and, between this restraint and the final torsional restraint. Three checks to the top flange and
two to the bottom flange are carried out as part of the Annex G check over the whole length.
These in contrast are between restraints that are sometimes to the compression flange and
sometimes to the tension flange.
Combined buckling checks

From performing LTB and Strut buckling checks there are a series of segments over which the
various checks have been carried out. For LTB, there can be a set of these between each pair of
torsional restraints typically but not exclusively between supports (only between supports in
the first release). These sets can differ between the top flange and the bottom flange.
at each 20th point along each span General Beam determines the segment in which it lies
considering LTB of the top flange, LTB of the bottom flange, in-plane strut buckling and
out-of plane strut buckling. Also, for each segment General Beam ascertains the following:
an associated effective length,
a resistance,
the maximum axial load or moment,
and for LTB the moment profile for determining m or nt.
For LTB there can be up to three segment lengths for each point,
that associated with a proper Clause 4.3 check,
that associated with an Annex G check,
that associated with intermediate restraint Clause 4.3 check carried out as part of the
Annex G check.

General Beam Engineers Handbook page 56 Chapter 10 : Design Procedure
An example illustrating how the checks are applied to I- and H-sections with equal flanges
(4.8.3.3.2 (c)) is given below.
1.0 3.5 1.5
points of contraflexure
2.6 3.4
LTB and strut buckling checks
The beam (span) is 6.0 m long and has torsional restraints at each end. The top flange is
restrained out-of-plane at 1.0 m and 4.5 m these provide restraint to the top flange for LTB
and to the beam as a whole for out-of-plane strut buckling. The bottom flange has one
restraint at 2.6 m and this restrains the bottom flange for LTB and the beam as a whole for
in-plane strut buckling. (This is probably difficult to achieve in practice but is useful for
illustration purposes.)
General Beam identifies the following lengths and checks. (in this example all the effective
length factors are assumed to be 1.0 for simplicity.)
In-plane Out-of-plan
Top flange segment Bottom flange segment strut e strut
segment segment
length check length check length check
0 4.5 Proper 4.3 0 6.0 Annex Ga 0 2.6 0 1.0
4.5 6.0 Proper 4.3 0 2.6 Annex G 4.3 2.6 6.0 1.0 4.5
0 6.0 Annex Ga 2.6 6.0 Annex G 4.3 4.5 6.0
0 1.0 Annex G 4.3
1.0 4.5 Annex G 4.3
4.5 6.0 Annex G 4.3
a. Only one Annex G is reported that with the smallest value of nt.

Index General Beam Documentation page 57
A design process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
information in a report level . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
30
add report contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
load into load case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 copy beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
new beam to project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
create
along member results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 design combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
analysis results load cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
actual values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 new project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
control content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
navigate along beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 D
application define
General Beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 basic beam details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
axial results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 beam restraints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
delete beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
B design - perform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
design beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
beam
design combinations
check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
create. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
define basic details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 design mode
define restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 general beam typical procedure. . . . . . . . . . . . 35
delete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 design process - control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
design results - view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
edit basic details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
edit restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 details - set project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
beam definition
control content
control view .
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E
navigate views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 edit
pan view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 basic beam details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
rotate view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 beam restraints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
standard views. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
zoom area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 email project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
zoom on centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 exit general beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
building designer export
return section size to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 beam into S-Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
beam to Fabsec. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
report to pdf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
C report to Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
change toolbar shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

check beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 F
check mode Fabsec - export beam to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
general beam typical procedure . . . . . . . . . . . .36
footer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
close
general beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 G
control
beam definition view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 General Beam
E:\CSC Doc\General Beam\General BeamIX.fm

General Beam Documentation page 58 Index
introduce Engineers Handbook . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 project workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
practical application
H check general beam procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
header . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 design general beam procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
General Beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
hide
project workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
status bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 print report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
toolbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
printer for report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
workbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
procedure
general beam check mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
I general beam design mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
project
in-plane results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
add new beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
interface components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 close . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
introduce create new . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
General Beam Engineers Handbook . . . . . . . . . . . 35 email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
L save with new file name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
set details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
load case - add load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 project workspace
load cases - create . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 hide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
M projects - merge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
major axis results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
merge projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 R
minor axis results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
reference details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
modify
beam reference details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 report
control content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
control information in standard level. . . . . . . . . . . 30
N control printer. . . . . . . .
export to pdf . . . . . . . .
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31
31
navigate through report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 export to Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
footer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
new project - create . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
header . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
navigate through. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
O page setup. . . . . . . . .
print. . . . . . . . . . .
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29
31
open project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
out-of--plane results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 report footer setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

report header setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
P report page setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

request Westok beam design . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
perform design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
results
position along member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Index General Beam Documentation page 59
axial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
in-plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
major axis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
minor axis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
out-of-plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
return section size to building designer . . . . . . . . .32
S
save
project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
project with new file name . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
S-Frame - export beam to . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
show
project workspace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
status bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
workbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
status bar
hide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
show. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
T
toolbar
change shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
hide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
show. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
V
view
analysis results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
design results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
W
Westok beam design request . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
workbook
hide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
show. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
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General Beam Documentation page 60 Index

General Beam Manual

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GENERAL BEAM

CSC (UK) Ltd

CSC Inc CSCWORLD (M) SDN BHD

Civil & Structural Computing (Asia) Pte Ltd

Wednesday 4 April 2007 16:32

It shall be the responsibility of the customer (and not CSC)

Fastrak documentation: Fastrak software:

Trademarks Fastrak5950 is a registered trademark of CSC (UK) Limited.

E:\CSC Doc\Standard Items\Disclaimer\Overall Disclaimer.csc.fm

Wednesday 4 April 2007 16:32

E:\CSC Doc\General Beam\General BeamTOC.fm

How do I request a Westok beam design? . . . . . . . . . . 32

Wednesday 4 April 2007 16:32

Information for the Engineer

Chapter 4 Limitations and Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Chapter 6 Ultimate Limit State Strength . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Chapter 7 Ultimate Limit State Buckling . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Chapter 8 Serviceability Limit State . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Chapter 9 Member End Fixity and Supports . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Chapter 10 Design Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

E:\CSC Doc\General Beam\General BeamTOC.fm

Combined buckling checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Wednesday 4 April 2007 16:32

Wednesday 4 April 2007 16:32

Chapter 1 General Beam Documentation

Major topics Overview

Working with General Beam

Related topics How do I set preferences?

E:\CSC Doc\General Beam\General beam documentation.fm

How do I set preferences?

How do I control General Beams interface components?

To set the position of a toolbar

To change the shape of a floating toolbar

Wednesday 4 April 2007 16:32

To hide the status bar

To show the status bar

To hide the workbook

To show the workbook

To hide the project workspace

To show the project workspace

To set the position of the project workspace

How do I exit General Beam?

Working with Projects

E:\CSC Doc\General Beam\General beam documentation.fm

Related topics How do I create a new project?

How do I create a new project?

3. Enter the new beams Reference.

How do I open an existing project?

How do I close a project?

How do I save a project with the same file name?

Wednesday 4 April 2007 16:32

How do I save a project with a new file name?

How do I merge projects?

2. Pick File/Merge Project

How do I send a project to someone using email?

How do I set project details?

Working with Beams

Related topics How do I add a new beam to a project?

E:\CSC Doc\General Beam\General beam documentation.fm

How do I delete a beam?

How do I add a new beam to a project?

2. Enter the Reference details of the beam and click OK.

4. To define the beams properties (details) pick Beam/Beam

How do I modify the reference details for a beam?