RSA. Create custom sections

Here is a simple tutorial on how to make custom sections in Robot Structural Analysis. While performing technical service on RSA I encountered these questions many times, especially while taking about concrete sections.

First step is to open a file or to create a new *.rtd file.

Second step is to activate Tools –> Section Definiton, where a new window for defining the section is activated. Here you can draw your own section as you need it, using the right bar toolbar. But this is a little over the hand when dealing with complicated sections.

The easiest way is to draw it in AutoCAD and to save it as a *.dxf file. Then using the command File –> Import DXF we can easily import it.

No matter the shape of the section we create, Robot Structural analysis provides us with a list of information (geometrical values, weighted values, etc) on the section and on the material, but the material used in these step is always steel. If you desire a concrete column or beam, the material will be changed later.

Saving the file is done by using the command File –> Save to Database.

The next step is to import the section into the project. This is done by creating a new steel section from the custom database. The pics bellow will show you how.

Then you may put the column (or beam) in the structural model as a steel element. In case you desire a concrete element, the change can be made from the Object Inspector. And this is it. the only thing that doesn’t work for custom sections is the automatic rebar generation, so you’ll have to make it the old fashion way or automatically using Altiscad Intellishape.

Enjoy!