Multi Tower-Seismic Auto Lateral Load Tips

Load Patterns Page 1 of 3
Define Load Patterns

Form: Define Load Patterns
Use the Define menu > Load Patterns command to add, modify, or delete load patterns in the model
file. An unlimited number of load patterns can be defined. Click here for more information about load
patterns.
1. Click the Define menu > Load Patterns command to access the Define Load Patterns form. This
form has the following edit boxes and drop-down lists.
◾ Load edit box. Use this edit box to specify the name of the load pattern. The previously
assigned load pattern names appear in the display list below this edit box. Note that each
load pattern and load combination must have a unique name. Also, the word Mode is
reserved and cannot be used for a load pattern name or a load combination name.
◾ Type drop-down list. The types of load patterns available appear in this drop-down list. The
program uses these values when automatically creating design load combinations for the
design postprocessors. The factors used in the design load combinations are different for
the various types of loads. The load pattern types are assumed to be basically self
explanatory with the following further explanations:
◦ Reducible Live option: This is a Reducible live load. A live load that is specified as
reducible is reduced automatically by the program for use in the design
postprocessors. The live load reduction parameters are specified using the Design
menu > Live Load Reduction Factors command.
◦ Other option: Use this option when specifying a pattern that does not fit into one of
the other categories or when the pattern is not intended to be included in the design
load combinations that are created automatically by the program.
◾ Self-Weight Multiplier edit box. The self-weight of the structure is determined by

multiplying the weight per unit volume of each object that has structural properties times the
volume of the object. The weight per unit volume is specified in the material properties. Use
the edit box to specify what portion of the self-weight is to be included in the load pattern. A
self-weight multiplier of 1 means to include the full self-weight of the structure in the load
pattern. A self-weight multiplier of 0.5 means to include half of the self-weight of the
structure in the load pattern. Normally a self-weight multiplier of 1 is specified in one
load pattern only, usually the dead load pattern, with all other load patterns having a
multiplier of zero. Note that if a self-weight multiplier of 1 is specified in two different load
patterns, and then those two load patterns are included in the same load combination, the
results for the load combination are based on an analysis where double the self-weight of
the building has been applied as a load.
◾ Auto Lateral Load drop-down list. The Auto Lateral Load drop-down list becomes active
when the load type is specified as Seismic or Wind.
◦ Selecting a code from this list specifies that code-compliant loads be created
automatically for the load case. Another form will appear that can be used to review
and as necessary specify the appropriate parameters for the automatic load. (See the
Modify Lateral Load bullet below for hyperlinks to topics addressing those forms.)
mk:@MSITStore:C:\Program%20Files\Computers%20and%20Structures\ETABS%2... 02-03-2018
◦ When None is selected from the drop-down list, no automatic loads are used, and
loads must be assigned using the commands available on the Assign menu.
Note: If a model has more than one tower, do not use a Quake type Auto Lateral Load, but
perform a Response Spectrum or Time History analysis instead. Using a seismic Auto
Lateral Load with multiple towers likely will result in an incorrect distribution of lateral loads.
1. Use the following buttons to add, modify, or delete load cases:
◾ Add New Load button.
1. Type the name of the load pattern in the Load edit list.
2. Select a load type from the Type drop-down list.
3. Specify a self-weight multiplier in the Self-Weight Multiplier edit box. (See the Self-
Weight Multiplier text above for cautions related to applying self weight.)
◦ If the load Type specified is Quake or Wind, select an option from the Auto
Lateral Load drop-down list.
4. Click the Add New Load button.
◦ If the load type specified is Seismic or Wind, note the text for the Modify
Lateral Load button (see below).
◾ Modify Load button.
1. Highlight an existing load pattern in the Loads area. Note that the data associated
with that load pattern appears in the edit boxes and drop-down lists at the top of the
Loads area.
2. Modify any of the data in the Loads area for the load pattern.
3. Click the Modify Load button.
◾ Modify Lateral Load button. If a new load is being defined with a load Type of Seismic or
Wind and a code (i.e., automatic load) has been selected in the Auto Lateral Load drop-
down list, first click the Add New Load button, then click the Modify Lateral Load button to
access a form specific to wind or seismic load. Use the form to specify parameters
consistent with the code selected in the Auto Lateral Load drop-down list (including wind
loading on an open frame structure when ASCE 7-02 is selected for the Auto Lateral Load).
For example, if the load Type is Seismic and NEHRP 97 is selected in the Auto Lateral Load
drop-down list, the form that appears is the NEHRP 97 Seismic Loading form. The options
available on the form relate to code requirements. Thus, fill in parameters on the form as
appropriate. Then click the OK button to complete the operation and return to the Define
Load Patterns form. Note that selecting User Defined for the Auto Lateral Load will access
the User {Seismic, Wind} Loads on Diaphragms form, respectively.
Note: After a code specific load has been defined as described here, highlight it in the list of
loads and click the Modify Lateral Load button to redisplay the form if any additional
changes are needed.
Note: Each automatic static lateral load must be in a separate load pattern. That is, two or
more automatic static lateral loads cannot be specified in the same load pattern. However,
additional user-defined loads can be added to a load pattern that includes an automatic
static lateral load. A separate automatic static load pattern must be defined for each
direction of wind load.
Note: Please refer to the Automated Lateral Loads manual for information about the code-
specific seismic and wind loading parameters (Help menu > Documentation > Manuals >
Lateral Loads Manual command).
◾ Delete Load button. Note that when a load pattern is deleted, all of the loads that have
been assigned to the model as a part of that pattern are also deleted.
◾ Highlight the existing load pattern in the Loads area.
◾ Click the Delete Load button.
After a load pattern has been defined, assign loads to the objects as part of that load pattern by selecting
the objects to be loaded and using the appropriate command on the Assign menu (i.e., Frame Loads,
Joint Loads, Shell Loads).
See Also
Shell Uniform Load Sets
Live Load Reduction

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Load Patterns Page 1 of 3

Define Load Patterns

◾ Self-Weight Multiplier edit box. The self-weight of the structure is determined by

1. Use the following buttons to add, modify, or delete load cases:

◾ Add New Load button.

2. Select a load type from the Type drop-down list.

4. Click the Add New Load button.

◾ Modify Load button.

3. Click the Modify Load button.

◾ Highlight the existing load pattern in the Loads area.

◾ Click the Delete Load button.

Shell Uniform Load Sets

Live Load Reduction

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