How do you add Analytical lines

[Tom Weir]

Hi,
I have a steel curved vertical truss with curved horiz trusses top and bottom for a signage structure above a parking structure opening. (See attached).

I am trying to export to ETABS for the analysis.
The curved top and bottom members of the truss were made with sweeps so I need to add in straight line analytical segments (since ETABS will not read curved members).
So In the sweep family I added "Analytical Model (Projection)" lines.

When I export to ETABS those analytical lines do not appear?!?!? Anybody got any idea what may be happening or that I am doing wrong?

Thanks and have a great day...

Tom Weir
Los Angeles

[Paul Andersen]

Hey Tom, we haven't done much testing with the ETABS link. My understanding is that not all links currently make use of this functionality. If ETABS is supposed to read this with their current link the only thing I can think of is to check whether you placed the analytical line as a model or symbolic line and try the other. Also maybe check that the structural material type parameter for your family is set to steel under settings -> family category and parameters ... dialog and perhaps assign a steel material to your sweep. Good luck and let us know if you get it to work. Nice model.

[ck.107547]

I had the same problem. No solution yet. I suspect it's just another glitch in CSI's API.

[Tom Weir]

Thanks. I tried Paul's suggestions but it did not help. I guess it is a glitch. The lines can be added easily in ETABS so we will do that and move on ...

Tom