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Civil Engineering/Modelling of Ramps in ETABS

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Expert: - 4/19/2011


Question
Sir

When I am modelling a ramp as an area object in ETABS with either shell or membrane element, the load distribution and internal forces (Moments and shear) for the beam elements on periphery of the ramp area are not coming realistic and live load on the ramp area is not getting transferred to the beam element.

Please guide if I am missing anything in the modelling.

Regards.

Jayant

Answer
Hi Jayant,

Unless you take care, all loading from slab/ramp elements to supporting beams will only be transferred at the 4 corner nodes. You can either mesh the elements finer (and the supporting beams), or else use special one-way distribution, using membrane so that the element stiffness does not interfere with expected distribution to the supporting beams. If you use shell elements, then use the stiffness modifiers to reduce out of plane stiffness.

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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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