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Civil Engineering/Etabs modeling of soil pressure

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Expert: - 2/16/2011


Question
Dear sir,

I would be grateful if you answer me my querries.

1. I need to model a single column to rest two different beams, in the same direction but are 2 feet apart? If it is possible, can you suggest me the method?

2. While modeling a basement concrete wall(between the columns), how do we apply the loads of soil Pressure?

Thank You sir,

Answer
Hi Sajeev,

In ETABS, all beams at different levels need to be on their own "Story", so just create an intermediate dummy story 2 feet below the main and draw your beam there- also the column will have a node at that level.

ETABS is mainly for buildings, so not very good for civil engineering type loading. Soil pressure can be applied as Area Load in horizontal direction, but you will need to model the wall as horizontal strips of say 0.5 to 1m height, and then apply uniform horizontal loads appropriate to the depth of soil/pressure.

Alternatively, if you just need to model the effects on the columns, you can apply a variable line load as required.

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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