{"id":9601,"date":"2023-05-22T10:44:49","date_gmt":"2023-05-22T10:44:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/?post_type=ht_kb&p=9601"},"modified":"2023-11-30T13:19:28","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T13:19:28","slug":"from-etabs-to-powerconnect","status":"publish","type":"ht_kb","link":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/nl\/knowledge-base\/from-etabs-to-powerconnect\/","title":{"rendered":"From ETABS to PowerConnect"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article explains how to send one or more ETABS nodes to PowerConnect, using BIM Expert.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Preparation in ETABS<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Make sure the model is calculated and that elastic results are available.<\/p>\n

2. Send the ETABS model to PowerConnect
<\/strong><\/h2>\n

2.1 From ETABS to BIM Expert<\/h3>\nIn the Model tab, select \u2018Import\u2019. Next, choose the source software manufacturer, namely ‘Computer and Structures, Inc’ (CSI) . Click\u00a0 to continue.\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nChoose ‘ETABS’.\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nAlternatively, models can be sent to BIM Expert directly within ETABS (Tools > BIM Expert), but you first need to add BIM Expert as a plug-in to ETABS.\r\n\r\n
<\/span>How to add BIM Expert as plugin in ETABS<\/div>
\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Tools > Add\/Show plugins<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Click ‘Browse’ to locate the BIM Expert ETABS dll\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • Go to C:\\Program Files (x86)\\BuildSoft\\BIM Expert\\Plugins\\CSI\\<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Select the dll ETABS{version}PlugInBuildSoftBIMExpert.dll, <\/em>with {version}<\/em> according to your current ETABS version open (e.g. ETABSv20PlugInBuildSoftBIMExpert.dll)<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Click ‘Open’<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Change the Menu Text name to ‘BIM Expert’<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Click ‘Add’ to add the plugin’ & ‘Ok’<\/li>\r\n \t
    • BIM Expert is now in the Tools menu<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n

      2.2.1 Settings<\/h4>\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nSelect your ETABS version, and were the model is coming from:\r\n
        \r\n \t
      • A running instance – that means, the model is currently open in ETABS<\/li>\r\n \t
      • An existing model – click ‘Browse… ‘ to open your file browser, go to the model location and select the model (an .edb file)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n \t\t
        \r\n \t\t\tLicense required<\/span> \t\t\t \t\t\t\t

        \r\n \t\t\t\t\tA valid ETABS license is required in both cases, that is importing from the running instance as well as opening an existing model. \t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n \t\t\t \t\t\t\r\n \t\t<\/div>\r\n \t\t\r\n\r\nOn top of the geometry conversion, you can also consider loads and results in points, bars & plates.\u00a0 Bar results are the most used and relevant ones, so only considering the bar results is enough. Plate results can be huge amount of data, that is currently not used any further.\r\n\r\nNext, the ETABS material and sections must be mapped with BIM Expert ’s materials and section. BIM Expert will try to find as many automatic mapping matches as possible. In case all sections and materials find a match, you will not see any dialogs for mapping.\r\n

        2.2.2 Material mapping<\/h4>\r\nDatabase materials such as steel (e.g. S235, ASTM-Grades), concrete (e.g. C25\/30, M50) and timber (e.g. C24, D50, GL28c) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs (S355-link<\/em> instead of S355<\/em>). In that case, you can select the correct material from the database.\r\n\r\nTip: When searching an item in the database, type the first letters of the name to find it more quickly.<\/em>\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n

        2.1.3 Section mapping<\/h4>\r\nDatabase sections (such as I, H, UB, UC, W, C, U, O, \u2610 and L sections) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs\u00a0 (e.g. name is\u00a0HEB300 – S235<\/em>\u00a0instead of HEB300<\/em>). In that case, you can select the correct cross-section from the database.\r\nTip: When searching an item in the database, type the first letters of the name to find it more quickly.<\/em>\r\n\r\nParametric sections (e.g. rectangles, circle, trapezium, …) are not in the database. They should always be added as new.\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n

        2.1.4 Loads mapping<\/h4>\r\nIf you opted to consider the loads during export, the ETABS load combinations need to be categorized. Each valid ETABS combination must be categorized into Eurocode or American combinations. Use the checkbox ‘Use categories according to Limit States’ to switch between European and American combination categories.\r\n\r\n
        \"\"<\/div><\/div>\r\n
        \"\"<\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nDepending on the design code, you must map each combination with either\r\n
          \r\n \t
        • Eurocode Limit States\r\n
            \r\n \t
          • ULS – Ultimate Limit State Combinations: Fundamental (FC), Seismic (SC), Fire (FI) or Accidental (AC)<\/li>\r\n \t
          • SLS – Serviceability Limit State Combinations: Rare (RC), Frequent (FC) or Quasi-Permanent (QP)<\/li>\r\n \t
          • Custom<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
          • American\r\n
              \r\n \t
            • Strength<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Service<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Custom<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nOn hoovering with the mouse over the combination’s name, you can see the build up of the combination (e.g. 1.35 DL + 1.50 LL).\r\n\r\nUse SHIFT and CTRL commands as in Windows to select one or multiple items. For example, to select all, use ‘CTRL+A’ and then, select the “+” button in the corresponding column.\r\n\r\nEnvelope combinations and dynamic seismic combinations are cannot be matched, as this is not supported by BIM Expert. These types of combinations are considered non-valid and will be greyed out. Static seismic combinations can be mapped.\r\n\r\nRemark: If you cancel that load mapping dialog, combinations are neglected and the conversion proceeds.\r\n

              2.1.5 Reporting<\/h4>\r\nIn case of severe incidences, you get a report of the incidences. It usually concerns load cases or element behavior that are not supported by BIM Expert. Click ‘Continue’ to proceed anyway.\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nThe model is now in BIM Expert.\n

              2.2 From BIM Expert to PowerConnect<\/h3>\n

              In the Model tab, select \u2018Export\u2019. Next, choose the destination software, namely PowerConnect. Click\u00a0\"\" to continue.<\/p>\n

              \"\"<\/p>\n

              2.2.1 Settings<\/h4>\n

              You can choose to either<\/p>\n

                \n
              • save the model as *.bpc-file<\/li>\n
              • send the model to the current open PowerConnect instance – you see all open instances of PowerConnect<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                \"\"<\/p>\n

                Select your choice and click\u00a0\"\" to continue.<\/p>\n

                2.2.2 Automatic detection of connection components<\/h5>\n

                BIM Expert automatically detects existing connection components in the model. You get an overview of all found connection components and whether they can be transferred to PowerConnect.<\/p>\n

                \"\"<\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                Use the eye button in the ‘Show’ column to see a detailed popup window of the connection.<\/p>\n

                Possible descriptions are<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Some internal forces could not be retrieved from the analysis results<\/em>
                  \nNo (or not all) internal forces are present from the source software.<\/li>\n
                • The connection is identical to connection(s) {IDs} and therefore has been grouped<\/em>
                  \nIdentical connections will be treated as one connection. You must only calculate the connections one, with envelope forces.<\/li>\n
                • Connection merged with one or more parts of the following connection:\u00a0{ID}<\/em>
                  \nThe connection is merged with other one to create a more complex connection (e.g. two shear connections to beam-column are merged to design a double-sided shear connection)<\/li>\n
                • Connection divided into <….> connections <\/em>
                  \nA complex connection has been split up into smaller PowerConnect connections<\/li>\n
                • The connection bars\/plates with following ID’s could not be recognized: {IDs} <\/em>
                  \nThe connection is recognized and can be calculated with PowerConnect, execpt for these bars\/plates, with given Ids<\/li>\n
                • Connection type not support<\/em>
                  \nThis connection configuration cannot be calculated by PowerConnect, so it will not be transferred.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  If no connections are found, you will see<\/p>\n

                  \"\"<\/p>\n

                  2.2.3 Add connections manually via Connection Assembler<\/h4>\n

                  You can make your own connections by clicking \u2018Modify\u2019 (see image above).<\/p>\n

                  In the next window, you see on the left hand side the BIM Expert model. In this window you see the regular scroll, 3D orbit and pan functions. On the right hand side, there is on top an overview of created connections and at the bottom, the ‘Create’ button to make new connections.<\/p>\n

                  \"\"<\/p>\n

                  In the next step you choose the connection type<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Moment connections: beam-column, beam-beam, splice, beam-column-beam or CHS splice<\/li>\n
                  • Shear connections: beam-column or beam-beam, beam-column-beam or beam-beam-beam<\/li>\n
                  • Base plate connections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    \"\"<\/p>\n

                    After selecting for example \u2018Beam to column\u2019 you select the column and next the beam element from the 3D image on the left hand side. Click once on the column element and next on the beam element. BIM Expert will list and indicate which connections are possible:<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • Beam to column flange > possible, and marked with \"\"<\/li>\n
                    • Beam to column web > not possible, and not marked \u2013 you can click the orange arrow \"\"at the end to fold out the details and see why this connection is not possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      \"\"<\/p>\n

                      On clicking \u2018Create\u2019, the connection is added to the list of connections on top. Having selected the beam-column type, you can now continue making this type of connections, until you click \u2018Change pattern\u2019.<\/p>\n

                      \"\"<\/p>\n

                      When the connection definition is finished, you click \u2018Close\u2019 and \u2018Accept\u2019 to continue to PowerConnect.<\/p>\n

                      If you have chosen to open the model directly in PowerConnect, you will get a notification in PowerConnect on the right side. You can now choose to load the model or to delete it (by using the \u2018x\u2019).<\/p>\n

                      \"\"<\/p>\n