The toolbar contains the graphic tools with which a large part of the, for the calculation, necessary information can be defined. Each button in the toolbar represents a tool. When using the graphic tools the handling will often be quicker and simpler than it is with numerical input.

The toolbar (the toolbox) is a window itself so it can be moved and changed in size.

The user activates the tools by clicking with the mouse on the chosen button. The cursor’s appearance will now change to that of the chosen tools.

The toolbar is in the drawing area’s upper part and at the left side of the window. The toolbox in the upper part of the window will look the same through the entire run; see the image below.

This toolbox contains the most frequent and common commands that are accessible in all the program’s four program modes.

1. New
   Starts a new example.
2. Wizards
   Retrieves pre-defined frames, rafters and trusses with their parameter measure. Also a more detailed description, see File - Wizards.
3. Open
   Retrieves input data from a previous example and shows a list on saved input data-files (files that end with *.fra or *.ram).
4. Save
   Saves input data for a current calculation in a file with current file name. Save is not to be used until having used Save as.
5. Undo
   This button is used to cancel a command or an action. It can be repeated several times. The shortcut is Ctrl+Y.
6. Redo
   This button is used to reverse the effects of the command Undo. It can be repeated several times. The shortcut is Ctrl+Z.
7. Grid
   Displays/hides grids.
8. Co-ordinate axis
   Displays/hides co-ordinate axis.
9. Detailed members
   This button is used to display section shaped members.
10. Print
    This button is used to print input data and the result that has been chosen in Printout options under File in the main menu.
11. Preview current view
    Displays a print preview of the current view.
12. Information
    This button shows information about the program, for instance version-number.

1. Zoom all
   With the Zoom all function the drawing area will be used to its maximum extent.
2. Zoom window
   A specified area can be enlarged with this tool.
3. Zoom in
   This button is used to enlarge the window gradually.
4. Zoom out
   This button is used to reduce the window gradually.
5. Panorate
   This button is used to activate the panorate function.
6. Zoom
   This button is used to zoom dynamically. After having activated this button the appearance of the cursor will change as it is introduced to the drawing area. If the left mouse button is pressed down at the same time as the cursor is being moved there will be a dynamic zoom in or zoom out depending on the direction of transport.
7. Previous
   Shows the previous view.
8. Next
   Shows the next view.

The toolbox on the left side of the program window changes appearance depending on program mode (see below). The active program mode is marked in the status bar (the upper part of the window). By choosing program mode in the status bar or in the View menu the mode’s toolbox can be obtained (or concealed).

Input geometry

When the program is in the geometry mode the frame model can also be defined graphically. The following buttons can then be used.

1. Select
   Point tool (Choice of object.).
2. Delete
   Makes it possible to remove joints or members. See Geometry of the frame.
3. Move
   Used to move joints. See Geometry of the frame.
4. Members
   Used to create new members. See Geometry of the frame.
5. Unsupported joint
   This function creates a joint that, at a possible design, isn’t automatically laterally supported with consideration to flexural buckling out of the frame plane. The joint is however considered to have a good enough torsional stiffness to assume a support with consideration to lateral-torsional buckling. An unsupported joint doesn’t split members, it only allows connection with other members to itself. See Geometry of the frame.
6. Hinge
   Used to create hinges. See Hinges.
7. Joint
   Used to create joints. See Geometry of the frame.
8. Support
   Used to create a support rigid in all directions. See Support.
9. Support
   Used to create a support rigid in x- and y-direction. See Support.
10. Support
    Used to create a support rigid in y- and z-direction. See Support.
11. Support
    Used to create a support rigid in y-direction only. See Support.
12. Support
    Used to create a support rigid in x- and z-direction. See Support.
13. Support
    Used to create a support rigid in x-direction only. See Support.
14. Spring
    Used to create a horizontal spring. See Springs.
15. Spring
    Used to create a vertical spring. See Springs.
16. Spring
    Used to create a moment spring. See Springs.
17. Initial bow imperfection
    Used to allocate initial bow imperfections to the members. Only active at a code dependent calculation. See Initial bow imperfection.
18. Section
    Point tool for sections. See Sections.
19. Group
    Used to group members so that all members in the group can be allocated the same section with one marking.
20. Tension forces
    Used to define members as tension members meaning that they can resist only tension but not compression.

The geometry of the frame

Graphic input is made from the toolbar shown at the left side of the screen.

The cross in the toolbar is used to define the geometry. The current coordinates are being shown simultaneously in the message field. By placing the cross at the required coordinates and clicking one time on the left mouse button a joint will be defined. If the mouse button is kept pressed down the member will be created between the coordinates where the mouse button was pressed down and where it was released. If the shift key is pressed at the same time the cross will only be able to move in an orthogonal way. If two joints are to be tied together with a member the user must place the cross on the first joint point and then press the left mouse button. The user will then drag the cross to the second joint point and let go of the button. A structure can look like the structure below. The coordinates and other data are the same as those at the numeric input above.

When the input of joints and members are being done graphically they will automatically be placed in the numeric menu, which has been described above. The arrow above the cross is used to edit joint points. By pointing at the joint point that is to be moved, and then keep the left mouse button pressed down, the joint point will automatically be moved to the point where the arrow is when the mouse button was released. All members that are attached to the current joint will automatically follow. All members attached to the joint must be removed before removing the joint.

Important! A joint that has been defined with the Member tool will automatically be regarded as laterally supported with consideration to flexural instability out off the frame plane at a possible design. If the joint should not be supported against flexural buckling out of the frame plane but only against lateral-torsional buckling the tool Unsupported joint can be used if the joint is considered to have a good enough torsional stiffness to assume a support with consideration taken to lateral-torsional instability. An unsupported joint doesn’t split members; it only allows connection with other members to itself.

The geometry can be edited numerically through Input/Geometry if it has been defined graphically. First graphically draw the geometry roughly, and then edit it numerically. A more thorough description of the numeric input of the geometry is to be found in Input Geometry > Input > Geometry.

Support

The supports can also be given graphically by choosing one of the tools above (see Input Geometry), and place them on the joints that are to be defined as supports.

The geometry on the screen can look as below after a graphic or numeric input of the supports; all supports are rigid.

The supports can be created immediately by having the left mouse button pressed down and at the same time drag it over the joints where supports are to be defined. This is marked with a dashed square as seen above. The joints within the square will be allocated the current support.

The joint button can only be used to take away support.

A more thorough description of the so-called numeric input is to be found in Input Geometry > Input > Geometry.

Springs

The different springs can be combined. In the figure below a y-direction spring and a rotation spring have been combined and replace the previous rigid support. The current supports must be removed before it is possible to replace supports with springs. The supports and springs can be removed the same way as the members and joint points (Geometry of the frame).

The springs can be created immediately by having the left mouse button pressed down and at the same time drag it over the points where springs are to be defined. The user can also point at the current joint and click with the left mouse button.

A more thorough description is to be found in Input Geometry > Input > Geometry.

Hinges

The input of the hinges is done with help from the ring in the toolbar. By clicking on the joints or the members the hinge will be applied to the outer ends of the member.

By clicking on the member a hinge on the nearest joint will be defined.

 If the user clicks on centre of the joint hinges will be applied on all members that are connected to the current joint.

 If the user clicks one more time the hinge will be removed. A more thorough description is to be found in Hinges.

Initial bow imperfection

To be able to choose Initial bow imperfection any of the Steel-, Timber- or Concrete Modules must be installed.

Consideration must be taken to initial bow imperfection when designing axial force loaded members. If flexural buckling in the frame’s plane is being calculated with the help from a buckling diagram, or of a corresponding method, the effect is a part of it. If on the other hand the second order theory is used the effect of initial bow imperfection is a part of the calculation. This can either be done by deforming the members, to the required position before calculation or can horizontal loads, and counter directed reaction forces responding to these, be added. The Frame Analysis uses a variation of the first method to consider the initial bow imperfection for the members of the user’s choice within the solution.

 Consideration to initial bow imperfection is being made with help from the tool shown to the left. This button must be activated in order to allocate initial bow imperfection to the members. By keeping the left mousebutton pressed down, and drag it over the members where initial bow imperfection is to be applied, all members within the chequer will be allocated initial bow imperfection. The members that have been allocated this effect will be marked in blue.

Sections

 The requested section is allocated graphically to the members with help from the tool shown to the left. A chequer will display the preselected sections when the button has been activated. In order to allocate the members correct sections the current section is marked in the chequer after which the members that are to be allocated the sections will be marked.

By keeping the left mouse-button pressed down, and drag it over the members where the current section is to be applied, all members within the chequer will be allocated the current section.

The members that have been allocated the current section will be marked in blue.

The members can also be allocated the sections numerically. A more thorough description is to be found in Input Geometry > Input > Geometry.

Group

 In order to be able to tie members to a section more quickly several members can be brought together to a group with help from the tool to the left.

All members belonging to a group will be marked in blue when the group number is active. An optional number of groups can be given at this point.

To mark that a member is no longer to be a part of a group the None option must be activated after which the current member is being marked.

Tension forses

 If the structure contains members which are not able to resist compression they can be defined as tension members with this tool. All tension members will be marked in blue when this tool is active.

Input loads

The program is in load mode when loads are to be defined. In this mode the toolbox to the left in the window changes appearance and the following tools are accessible:

1. Select
   Point tool. (Choice of object).
2. Delete
   Makes it possible to delete loads.
3. Uniform loads
   Used to define uniform loads. See Uniform loads.
4. Trapezoid load
   Used to define trapezoid loads.
5. Joint loads
   Used to define joint loads.
6. Point load
   Used to define point loads on the member.
7. Point moment
   Used to define the point moment on the member.
8. Joint displacement
   Used to define joint displacements.
9. Temperature loads
   Used to define temperature loads.
10. Self weight
    Used to define the self-weight of the members.
11. Increase scale
    Used to increase the scale on drawn loads. This option is available when Draw loads proportionally is active. Also see Option.
12. Reduce scale
    Used to reduce the scale on drawn loads. This option is available when Draw loads proportionally is active. Also see Option.

One of the previously defined basic loadcases must be activated in order to define a load that has effect upon the construction. This is done in the Basic loadcase pull down menu at the top right of the status field, also see Loadcases.

When choosing a load-tool an input box for current load type will be presented. In this box the user can choose size, direction and possible spread for the load. It is advisable to choose the size of the loads as the characteristic values considering that for example partial safety factors often are added later on (see Loadcases).

The choices of direction are as follows:

• X: X-direction
• Y: Y-direction
• H: Horizontal
• V: Vertical
• L: Along, perpendicular to the member
• A: Along, in the same direction as the member
• M: Moment
• R: Angular displacement

All load types can, just as the sections, be allocated several members at the same time by keeping the left mouse button pressed down and drag it over the members that are to be allocated the load. The line of action to remove or change a load is the same as when changing joints and members. The arrow in the graphic menu is used to point at the load one wants to remove or change.

All loads that have been defined in the same basic loadcase will be displayed on the screen. The loads that have been allocated a different basic loadcase will not be displayed until this basic loadcase has been activated.

A more thorough description on the numerical input of loads is to be found in Loads.

Uniform loads

Uniform loads can be defined as loads with constant load intensity and trapezoid loads with linear varying intensity.

 Uniform load with constant load intensity

 Trapezoid load with variable load intensity

Uniform loads are defined by indicate intensity and direction of the uniform load. The measures L1 and L2 are set to zero as default, which means that the load is assumed to have effect upon the entire member.

By feeding in the current measures for L1 and/or L2 the user will state if the load only has effect on a part of the member.

Trapezoid loads are defined by stating the intensities at the load’s start point and end point and if the load acts perpendicular to the member or in the axial direction. The measures L1 and L2 are set to zero as default, which means that the load is assumed to have effect upon the entire member. By defining the current measures for L1 and/or L2 the user will state if the load only has effect on a part of the member.

When a loadcase has been defined the structure can for example look as the figure below.

Point loads and moments

The point loads can be point loads, point moments, joint loads and joint moments. The point loads can be defined with help from some of the following buttons that are in the toolbar. The difference between point loads and joint loads is that point loads acts on the member whereas the joint loads are applied at the joints.

 Joint loads and Joint moments

 Point loads

 Point moments

Joint loads and joint moments are being defined by stating size and direction in the input window and then placing them on the joints.

Size, direction and distance from the member’s starting joint must be stated in order to define point loads and point moments. The starting joint is the joint that was stated first at the geometry input.

Point loads can’t be stated if the distance to a joint is closer than the length / 250, in what case joint loads must be used.

Joint displacements

 This is used to state a prescribed joint displacement. This can for example be the case at support settlings.

The joint displacement can be defined as a displacement in the x-axis, y-axis or as a rotation displacement. In order to state a rotation displacement the symbol R (see the picture to the left) must be marked. The displacement is given in degrees.

Temperature loads

 When doing the input on temperature loads it is important that the thermal expansion for the material of the chosen section has been defined. If any of the pre-defined materials are being used the coefficient of heat expansion will also be pre-defined.

The button seen to the left below is used for defining temperature loads. When the button is activated the following input box will be shown.

The materials will shrink/expand if the user states the same temperature on the upper- as well as the underside. This leads to internal stresses in the member.

Self weight

 One or several members can be loaded with self-weight answering to the type of cross section that has been tied to the member.

Results

When the calculation is finished the Results option in the status bar will be lit. This position’s corresponding toolbox contains the following tools that makes it possible to choose what sort of calculation result is desired to be shown graphically.

1. Moment
   Shows the moment distribution over the entire structure for the selected loadcase as a diagram.
2. Shear force
   Shows the shear force distribution over the entire structure for the selected loadcase as a diagram.
3. Axial force
   Shows the axial force distribution over the entire structure for the chosen loadcase as a diagram.
4. Deflection
   Shows the deflections of the structure as a diagram.
5. Increase scale
   This function is used to increase the scale of the diagrams. Also see Diagrams.
6. Reduce scale
   This function is used to reduce the scale of the diagrams. Also see Diagrams.
7. 1^st order
   Calculation result for the 1st order theory is shown.
8. 2^nd order
   Calculation result for the 2nd order theory is shown.