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Getting started -beam

Model a beam in GSA​

This tutorial will show you how to model a beam in GSA and by the end of this tutorial you should be able to:

  • Setup a new model with the new model wizard.
  • Create a 1D member, add restraints, section properties and loads to it.
  • Analyse and view results.

Create a new model​

  1. Open GSA and select Setup new model

    setup_new_model

  2. This takes you to the New Model Wizard, where you can enter the name of your project or click Next.

    new_model_wizard_title

  3. Click on Units and choose your preferred units or just leave it and click Next.

    new_model_wizard_structure

  4. This takes you to the New Model Wizard: Properties where preferred design codes and appropriate material properties can be defined. For the purpose of this tutorial, we will select Steel code BS EN 1993-1-1:2005 (GB) and Concrete code BS EN 1993-2:2005 (GB). Select Steel grade as S275 and Concrete grade as C40/50.

    new_model_wizard_properties

  5. Click Finish and we can start modelling. You should now be able to see the graphics view as shown here.

    0101_beam_graphics_view

Create a 1D member​

  1. Click on the Add Entities icon icon to add a 1D member.
  2. Click on 2 points on the grid to create the 1D member, then right-click and select Quit operation to exit operation.
0102_beam_member_view3. To finish creating the member, right click and click on **Quit operation**0103_beam_quit_operation

Add restraints to the 1D member​

  1. Click on the nodes icon icon to add restraints to the member.

Select the first node and click Fix in the Node Properties panel, select the second node and click Pin.

0104_beam_set_restraints
  1. Switch on the Label restraintsicons icon to view the restraints.0105_beam_display_restraints

Add section properties to the 1D member​

  1. Select Properties → Section Library in the data explorer.0106_beam_section_library
0107_beam_section_library_window

  1. Double-click on the first empty cell and the Section Component Definition window pops up.

  2. Select Profile and choose Catalogue, then click Next

    0107_beam_section_component_window0109_beam_section_type_window

  3. For the purpose of this tutorial we will choose Catalogue as British Steel, Type Universal Beam (UB), Section 127x76x13. Click Next to view the section properties associated with this section then click Finish and OK.

0110_beam_section_type0111_beam_section_properties0112_beam_section_properties_done
  1. Navigate back to your graphics window by clicking on the Graphic viewicon icon, then click on the **Section display**icon icon to view a 3D rendering of the section profile chosen.
0112_beam_section_graphic_view