ORION 18 TUTORIALSOrion 18 software is a BIM-Compatible, structural engineering software. Previously owned by CSC, CSC was taken over by Tekla in 2013. It carries out structural analysis and design of individual structural members like beams, columns, slabs and walls. It is also used for composite structures like multi-storey buildings. Orion 18 has a major advantage in that it is the first of all the Orion softwares to work on both 32 and 64-bit operating system For this tutorial series, we model a full structure, analyse and design its members, view the results and print the drawings and quantities sheets out. In so doing, we learn the different functionalities of the software. Also included in this tutorial series will be images to aid visualisation of what is being referred to in the text. This first instalment of this tutorial series is to introduce the structure of the tutorial series. This tutorial series will be divided into 3 parts: Part 1: Pre Analysis In this part, we select the design code, paper size and drawing axes for the structure. Also, we model structural members like beams, slabs, columns, walls and storeys for the structure. Part 2: Analysis In this part, we carry out the structural analysis of the structure, including the forces acting on the structure and the internal forces. We would be able to visualise its real time effect(s) on the building and make sense of what the software is presenting. We will also carry out the Reinforced Concrete (RC) design of the structure. Part 3: Post Analysis In this final part of the series, we would print out the structural design reports, drawings, quantities and schedules and export the model created to Revit Structure and vice versa. Be aware that full mastery of the software requires Practice! Practice!! Practice!!! Happy Learning. We will learn to carry out all these as we design the full structure pictured below by following this tutorial If you know that this tutorial has been beneficial to you, you can subscribe to get them in your email as soon as they are published. For comments and questions, you can reach us through the contact form below. You can also subscribe to receive our weekly newsletters so that you never miss a thing. ORION 18: HOW TO START OFF A PROJECT In this tutorial, we are going to prepare our software for the modelling of our structure. This stage will involve selecting the design code, the sheet size and type, as well as drawing the axis lines for the placement of structural members. To do this, we will follow the steps as outlined below. Step 1 Run the installed CSC Orion 18 software. Close the quick guide, then click on ‘New Project’. At this stage, we give the Project a name (Let’s call this one ‘Learning Orion’). Click ‘OK’. Step 2 After giving the Project a name, a ‘Settings Center’ dialog box appears for you to select a design code. For the sake of this tutorial, we will choose ‘UK (BS 8110)’. Be sure that all the parameters to the right under ‘Current Project Settings’ are ticked so as to be able to carry out every activity listed there over the course of the Project. Click ‘Import’ Step 3 The sheet size is automatically displayed in the sheet size dialog box. we Left click. In this dialog box. All dimensions are in mm. and leave the ‘Axis Extension Length’ as [2000]. Click ‘Orthogonal Axis Generator’. on ‘Axes’ in the layer toolbar on the left side of the User Interface (UI). we select our sheets (use a standard or customized sheet size). we move to ‘Dir-2 Axes’. . a ‘cross shaped’ mouse pointer appears. The Orthogonal Axes Generator draws a number of vertical and horizontal axes lines according to a predetermined pattern. the ‘Axis Spacing(s)’ to [8000. Click ‘Pick Sheet Origin’.6000]. Under ‘Standard Sheets’. click a point near the bottom left of the drawing sheet to pick the ‘lower left reference point of the Axes Group’. pick the origin of the structure and select a scale. After clicking ‘Orthogonal Axes Generator’. To do that. change the ‘Axis Label’ to [1]. then click a point inside the sheet (indicated in the drawing area by a green rectangle). Next. close to the bottom left corner of the sheet. After selecting a code. change the ‘Axis Label’ to [A]. we draw our axes lines for positioning our columns. Change the ‘Drawing Scale’ to 1/100. Step 5 In the ‘Orthogonal Axes Generator’ dialog box that appears. Click ‘OK’ to start the new project. the ‘Sheet Data’ dialog box appears. Using this pointer. then Right click. Under ‘Dir-2 Axes’. the ‘Axis Spacing(s)’ to [5000*8] and leave the ‘Axis Extension Length’ as [2000]. Click ‘OK’. which we will see in step 5. under ‘Dir-1 Axes’. Step 4 Next. Among the options that appear. select ‘A2 (594 X 420)’. ORION 18: HOW TO MODEL COLUMNS AND WALLS . we have been able to select a design code. we will learn to specify the size of the column. So far in this tutorial series. by following these easy steps. Step 2 In the ‘Column Properties’ dialog box that appears. Step 1 Click on ‘Column’ in the members toolbar near the top of the screen. Step 3 Click ‘Insert Options’ then click on among the options shown. the boxes ‘e1’ and ‘e2’ are automatically filled with the value of 150. the first one being the column.In this tutorial. fill in the boxes with the width of the column ‘b1’ as 300 and the height as 300 as done in the dialog box shown below. After clicking this option. This option makes the axes of the columns to be aligned symmetrically and pass through the centre of the column in both vertically and horizontally. a ‘Column Properties’ dialog box appears. After clicking column. we will learn how to model columns and walls in Orion 18. we will start with the modelling of structural members. Apart from learning how to model columns and walls. a drawing sheet and draw the axes lines. . Now. as well as place them correctly so that our structural analysis and design is not erroneous. Step 5 . click on the intersection to place the column. Click ‘Close’ in the dialog box.Step 4 Take the mouse pointer close to the intersection point of the two axes at the top left of the screen. Do not create columns intersections 2/A and 2/I. Repeat the same procedure for all the intersection points in the drawing area so as to create the columns as shown below with the same numbering and arrangement. When both axes are highlighted. we had learnt how to prepare the software for modelling the structure by choosing sheets and drawing axes. below to create the wall.’ . ORION 18: HOW TO MODEL BEAMS You will learn how to model beams in this part of the tutorial series on CSC Orion 18. We also modelled columns and walls. To represent block wall loads. To start. Click and drag the mouse down to the intersection. The value. In our previous tutorials. is automatically entered into ‘b2’. these are inputed as wall loads on beams. Repeat the same procedure for the intersection at the top right (3/I) and drag it down to the intersection below (1/I) NB: The walls created are shear walls. at the top above the first column. In the box labelled ‘b’. Step 6 Move the pointer to the axes intersection. enter 250. 1/A. Click on the Wall icon in the menu toolbar. Now we continue with the modelling of beams. we model walls. Click on ‘Insert Options’ . 125. then select so that the axis of the wall passes through the centre. 3/A.Next. is as shown below. In this dialog box. Step 2 Click on ‘Insert Options’ . when completely filled. This option is chosen (as we also showed similarly in previous tutorials) is chosen so that the axis line of the beam passes through the centre of the beam. is automatically entered into the box for ‘b2’. The value ‘h-Top’ is only used if a part of the beam is to project above the top of the slab. enter 350 in the option labelled as ‘b’. then select . The dialog box. ‘h-Top’ is zero (0). For the case of this tutorial. . This is the width of the beam.We will model the beams by following the simple steps as outlined below: Step 1 Click on the ‘Beam’ icon in the menu toolbar at the top of the screen. The value. as measured from the top of the slab to the bottom of the beam. 175. The value ‘h-Bot’ is the thickness. A ‘Beam Properties’ dialog box appears. Step 3 Enter ‘h-Bot’ as 300. drag to 1/B. and without releasing the mouse. Alternatively. In this new set. 1/C and 1/D until you get to 1/I. Step 4 Next. Click on 3/A. wall. then model the beams running vertically between 3/B and 1/B. . NB: Hold ‘ctrl’ on the keyboard when drawing modelling to ensure whatever that is being modelled (column. ‘b2’ as 250 and ‘h-Bot’ as 300. etc) is in a completely vertical or horizontal direction. then drag the mouse (without releasing) to 3/I. we model a set of vertically running beams. Enter ‘b’ as 500. beam.Click on the intersection 1/A. Both procedures described give the same result. Repeat the procedure to model beams between 1/B and 1/C. 3/C and 1/C until 3/H and 1/H. We will leave the concrete cover as 20mm. . Step 1 Click on the slab icon in the menu toolbar. shown by default in the ‘Slab Properties’ dialog box. Enter 250 as the value for ‘h’. which is the slab thickness.ORION 18: HOW TO MODEL SLABS In this tutorial. Let us outline the steps involved. Now. Under the ‘General’. as well as learn the different ways in which slabs are modelled in Orion 18. we will learn how to model slabs. We will learn how to load the slabs. we click on 'Type' and select the 1-way slab option. B).5 and an Imposed load (‘Imp Load’) of 4.0. Checking the aspect ratio (Ly/Lx) of our slab (14/5). 3. A. When the region is highlighted. This option is 'Type 0' as shown below. .Step 2 Next. I). Move the mouse pointer towards the region bounded by axis (1. we will model the structural load on the slab model. Loads are in KN/m2. click in the area to create the slab. 3. Because of this. H. Step 3 We will place the slab in the structural model. which is the last one after type '13'. Click on the ‘Loads’ at the top of the dialog box. Repeat the procedure for all the regions until (1. Enter a ‘Dead Load’ of 0. The arrangement is as shown below. we see that the slab is a 1-way spanning slab. Other options available are from 1-13 are for 2-way spanning slabs. . This has been corrected. • Pick Axis: For this method.Slabs can also be created in other ways. • Beam region: is used to inset slabs for an area that is surrounded by beams. Correction The slab was previously modelled as a 2-way when it was a 1-way spanning slab. See you then. a slab will be created where three or more axis intersect each other in a closed loop. we talk about how we can create new storeys. you select the particular axis intersections within which the slab will be formed. The difference between this and the axis region selection is that the axis region selection selects the axis lines closest to each other. particular axis which are to form the boundaries of the slab can be selected independently. These include: • Axis Region: If one uses axis region. In our next lesson. while the pick axis allows you to select any axis at all. All these options are available when you click in the 'slab properties' dialog box. This was the method used for creating the slabs above. • Pick points: for this method. Type 12' is used for the type where the long side is supported while 'Type 13' is used where the short is supported. select 'Type 12' as our supporting side is the longer side. Click 'Type'. . For this tutorial.ORION 18: HOW TO MODEL AND DESIGN A CANTILEVERED SLAB Step 1 To model a cantilevered slab. Step 2 'Type 12' and 'Type 13' are the slab types for a cantilever. Click the 'Slab' icon in the menu toolbar on the top of the screen. From the 'Slab Properties' dialog box. For the case above. drag to point 2 as indicated above to model the slab.Step 3 Next. then without releasing the mouse. The design process for cantilever slab is the same as that for normal slab as seen here. click point 1. . After selecting a slab type. with the exception of the ends of the slab strip. type the length of the intended slab in the 'L-Cant' box. we will use 'Bob' and 'Cantilever' for 'At Start' and 'At End' respectively under the 'Slab Strip Properties' dialog box. before. Step 1 Left Click. then Right Click on ‘Storeys’ in the structure tree view on the left side of the screen. Modelling new stories in Orion 18 is done by creating duplicates of the first floor modelled. then storeys are generated so that changes can be made to them separately. and then generating them to be editable independently. .ORION 18: HOW TO CREATE AND GENERATE NEW STOREYS. Here we will model higher level storeys for the structure. we will go through the steps for creating the storeys. Click ‘Insert Storey’. In this tutorial. This number includes the storey that has already been created. we will learn how to generate storeys. . Click 'OK' NB: Orion 18 with standard license only will only create buildings with up to 5 storeys. then right click on ‘Storeys’. only the first storey can be modelled and worked on. though it is good you get an idea of what is involved. For those following our series. Generating storeys in Orion is used is used in unbundling storeys so that they can be worked on separately. changing a column size on the first floor without first generating the storeys results in a change of all columns in that position on the higher floors.Step 2: In the ‘Add Storey’ dialog box that appears. Step 3 Next. For others. we will not need to generate the storeys now. of Storeys’. For example. and any change made on it affects all other storeys. Now we will left click. If the storeys are not generated. Enter 4 as the ‘Total No. then click on ‘Generate Storeys’. you can easily go through it and learn how to generate storeys. we will specify the properties of the materials to be used for design (steel grade. we modelled storeys and generated them to be editable independently. ORION 18: HOW TO ANALYSE A BUILDING We are going to carry out the structural design for our completely modelled Orion 18. All the storeys can now be edited independently. one after the other and click ‘Delete’ until only G + QoF remains as shown below. In this lesson. ‘St03’ and ‘St04’ under ‘Target Storey’. Click ‘OK’. We will do this by selecting those loading conditions.4 (for dead load. For this tutorial. Q). Step 2 Click on ‘Loading Combinations’. beams and slabs. drawing sheet size and drawn the axis. Click ‘St01’ under ‘Source Storey’. concrete grade and bar size) and set loading combinations for the structure. Hold ‘ctrl’ on the keyboard then click on ‘St02’. This is the first post for the second part (Analysis) of this tutorial series. Now let’s begin: Step 1 Click ‘Run’. then ‘Building Analysis’ in the menu bar at the top of the screen. we have to delete the rest of the loading combinations. we need only the first loading combination on the list (G + QoF) which has the coefficients of 1.6 (for live load. then ‘Close’. Before now we had chosen sheets. We also modelled columns. Going further. walls. The ‘Pre- Analysis’ tab is opened by default in the ‘Building Analysis’ dialog box. For this reason.Step 4 In the ‘Generate Storeys’ dialog box that appears. Click ‘OK’ . G) and 1. ii. For links and slabs. T32 and T40 for column bar diameters. Choose only T12 for wall diameter. T20. T25. select only R12. For slabs. T32 and T40 for foundations. T20. T25. Choose T16. choose ‘Grade 250 (Plain)’ Click ‘Dia’ next to each of the following structural members and make the following changes: Choose T16.Step 3 Next. T25. Select T16. T20. Change all steel grades to ‘Grade 460 (Type 2)’ except links and slabs To make the above changes quickly. longitudinal web steel and horizontal web steel. Tick ‘Apply to all members’ after opening the first dialog box for concrete grade or steel grade. Select R8 and R10 only for links. Change ‘unit weight of concrete to 24. we will specify the material properties to be used for the design in the ‘Pre-Analysis’ tab and make the changes as specified below: i. T32 and T40 for beam bar diameters. Click ‘OK’ . Change all concrete grades to C28/35 for all structural members. ORION 18: HOW TO NAVIGATE THE ‘ANALYSIS MODEL AND RESULTS’ DISPLAY AREA. Step 1 Firstly. E. In the Building Analysis dialog box that appears. The ‘Analysis Model and Results’ display area is where we demonstrate the analysis results and its effects on the 3D structure. then ‘Building Analysis’. To check for the effects. we will check for the effects such as sway. Click ‘OK’ at the end of the analysis. we learn to check for the effects of sway. Click ‘Cancel’.Step 4 Now we will carry out the Structural Analysis. Click on ‘Animation’ under ‘Results’ at the top of the screen and observe the effects when the building moves. Click ‘Post-Analysis’.g. . Before the building analysis. This aids in visualisation of the effects of loading on the free body diagram (FBD) of the structural model. combining the highlighted box and arrow gives the following view. To do this. Click ‘Run’. make sure that ‘Building Analysis’ and ‘Show Axial Load Comparison Warnings’ are selected. Use combinations of the “blue boxes” and the “yellow arrows” to get the different views of the building. use the filter button to improve clarity and also display Frame element Results diagrams like shear force and bending moments. we open the ‘Analysis Model and Results’ display area. In this tutorial. Then click ‘Start’ to carry out the building analysis. But before that. torsion and displacement on the structure. click on the 3D View icon under the ‘General’ tab in the menu bar. torsion and displacement as well as get the different views. we will ensure that the building model has no errors. then ‘Model and Analysis Results Display’. To do this. Click ‘Building Model Check’ to check for modelling errors. To get different views of the resulting model. Step 2 Next. We will also learn to adjust the views of the structure and display the effects of our loading combination on the structural model. click on the Loading Combination we chose. . The displacements on the 3D Free Body Diagram (as well as other effects) change as different loads are selected. Step 3 Now. we will display the effects of our loading on the structure. To do so. Different individual loads can also be clicked on to see their effects on the structure.Other combinations can also be tried out to see different views. It can be seen at the bottom of the area titled ‘Loading’ on the right side of the screen. let us view only the columns on the first storey. Click ‘Filter’ in the ‘General’ tab and make the selections as shown below in the ‘Filters’ dialog box. For example. . To do this. This functionality will help us get a better view of a particular element(s) by hiding others in the structure.Step 4 We will now learn how to use the filter button. 2. Step 1 Click ‘Run’. For columns. beams. then ‘Building Analysis’ from the menu bar at the top of the screen. we will learn to print structural reports when we have finished our structural analysis in Orion 18. V2 (shear forces on local axis 2). we will see how we can display the different Frame Element Results Diagrams. Click ‘Post-Analysis’. N.Step 5 Next. 3. V3 (shear forces on local axis 3). 3. we will print the report for the columns on the first floor. etc. V2 and M3 are the equivalents for shear force and bending moments derived from typical manual structural analysis. you can revert back to the original setting and pose the question to me in the comments section. Moment about the X-axis and Moment about the Y- axis respectively. though the same procedure is applicable for other types of structural reports like frames. M2 (Moment on local axis 2) or M3 (Moment on local axis 3)] NB 1. Click ‘Diagrams’. M2 and M3 are axial load. When in doubt. For the sake of this tutorial. To find out Local Axis 1. To do this. T (Torsion). You can also try out the other features to view how they work. Click the ‘Results’ tab at the top of the screen. then select which results diagram to be displayed [N (Axial Load). then ‘Analysis Results Report’. . ORION 18: HOW TO CREATE ANALYSIS REPORT In this tutorial. see the diagrams in the Analysis Report Tutorial 2. Choose ‘Storey 1’. Click the ‘+’ sign next to ‘Storey 1’ and select ‘Columns’. Select ‘Storeys’ from the ‘List type’ dropdown. .Step 2 In the ‘Analysis Results’ dialog box that appears. M1-i. This lists all the columns first floor columns on the right side of the screen under the ‘Structural Members’ box. then select the results you want shown in the report (For this tutorial. . N-i. Click ‘Next’ then select ‘Structural Members’. Step 4 Click ‘Next’.Step 3 Click the arrow . M2-i) and select the load combination (‘K1-G+Q*F’) for the report to be printed. M1-i. M2-i represent the column axial load. created by CSC (now owned by Tekla). moment in ‘Dir-1 Axis’ and moment in ‘Dir-2 Axis’ respectively for the top of the column These diagrams below.NB: Those options on the right column with ‘Y’ are individual load cases while those with ‘K’ are load combinations. will help illustrate the forces referred to by the terminologies on the left column of the diagram above. N-i. . The terminologies on the diagram are as follows: N: Axial load . . Click ‘Next’ again. Select ‘Sort by Loading’ and tick the box for ‘Skip Line between Elements’. These are editing options for arranging the structural reports. Step 5 After selecting the internal forces and load cases to be reported. You can also try the same procedure for other structural elements as well as frames that make up the building. (Equivalent to M2 in the second ‘Analysis Results’ pictured above) ‘i’ and ‘j’ represent the start and end joints as indicated in the diagrams above. (Equivalent to V2 in the second ‘Analysis Results’ pictured above) T: Torsion M2: Moment in the direction ‘2’ from the diagram above. (Equivalent to V1 in the second ‘Analysis Results’ pictured above) V3: Shear force in the direction ‘3’ from the diagram above.V2: Shear force in the direction ‘2’ from the diagram above. Step 6 Click ‘Create Report’ for the structural report to be printed in a WordPad. (Equivalent to M1 in the second ‘Analysis Results’ pictured above) M3: Moment in the direction ‘3’ from the diagram above. We will also learn to produce the load. shear force diagram. Click on each reinforcement. we noticed that some beams failed (marked ‘X’). as well as interactively (designing one beam at a time). then make changes as shown in the image below. For example. the beam on axis ‘B’. The aim during the interactive design is to ensure that there are no more ‘red coloured’ digits in the ‘Reinforcement Data’ dialog box. A ‘BEAM SECTION DESIGN AND DETAILING’ dialog box appears. From the ‘Beam Reinforcement Design’ dialog box that appears. This option ensures that the bar size we selected when we were analysing the building is not changed by the software during structural design and possibly producing an unpractical design. then ‘Beam Section Design and Detailing’. In this beam design. Double click on that beam to carry out interactive beam design. Step 2 In that dialog box. we will learn how to carry out the design in batch mode (designing all the beams at the same time by the software). Among the options. Step 3 After carrying out our beam design. select ‘Storey Beams’. Click ‘Beam Design (Batch Mode)’. Click ‘Calculate’. bending moment diagram and print out the design report. Step 1 Click ‘Run’.ORION 18: HOW TO DESIGN BEAM In this lesson. Select ‘Check Steel (Don’t select new steel when previous bars are insufficient)’. . we will learn how to carry out the structural design of beams in CSC Orion18. select them from the bottom of the ‘Design Envelope – Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams’ dialog box. Step 4 Now. in the ‘Reinforcement Data – Axis H’ dialog box. Repeat the procedure on other failed beams. To view the load and shear diagrams. we will show the design envelope for the beam. Click on ‘Diagrams’. . The moment diagram appears. To do so. Step 5 To create the design reports. Click ‘Design Report’. . then click ‘OK’ in the ‘BEAM SECTION DESIGN AND DETAILING’ dialog box. Input the settings as shown below. then ‘Column Section Design’. we learn both to design columns in batch as well as interactively (when the columns or walls fail). This same procedure can also be used for others. then ‘Column Design Settings’ on the menu bar at the top of the screen. click ‘Column Design (Batch Mode)’ to begin batch design. we will proceed to design them interactively using ‘1C4’ as an example. Click on the ‘Steel Bars’ tab. we also get to use our generate functionality in the structure. then on ‘Longitudinal Bars’. we can see that some columns have failed. we will make a few adjustments to the settings to be used for the design. Now. . view the interaction diagram of the column and print out our design reports. We will also learn how to deal with the different failures that occur during the column design. Step 3 From the Batch Design. And for those who have followed us from the beginning of the series.ORION 18: HOW TO DESIGN COLUMN This tutorial will deal with how to design columns and walls in Orion 18. let’s begin Step 1 Before the actual designing starts. Click on ‘Settings’. Step 2 Click ‘Run’. In the dialog box that appears. Now. In this tutorial. you will see that the size of columns ‘2C4’ ‘3C4’ and ‘4C4’ also have their cross sections changed to 350. Click on ‘Interactive Design’. fill 175 so that the column the column centre aligns with its axis line in both directions. Close the ‘Reinforcement Design’ dialog box. Carry out the building analysis again for the whole building. Select ‘Properties’ 2. we will increase the size of the column so that the ratio falls back below 0. We can see that the column design passed this time BUT If you check. To change it back to 300 (without affecting the redesigned column) a. Therefore.Double click ‘1C4’. Click ‘Update’ 3. Change ‘b1’ and ‘b2’ to 350. 1.6. ‘e1’ and ‘e2’. Step 4 To increase the cross sectional area. Here. then column design as we did earlier. then right click on the column (1C4) in the structure tree view on the left side of the screen. The ‘Column Reinforcement Design’ dialog box appears as shown below. Generate the storeys as we showed in the earlier tutorial .6). Left click. we can see that the ratio of steel provided to cross sectional area of concrete (steel limit ratio) exceeds what is stipulated in the code (Ast/Ac = 0. In the boxes. i. then click on ‘Calculate’.06): This is the type we dealt with above. ii. Failure due to required steel being greater than code recommendation (Ast/Ac > 0. Repeat the procedure for ‘3C4’ and ‘4C4’. Select ‘Properties’ and change its ‘b1’ and ‘b2’ to 300. NB There are two main ways by which the columns fail. Do this interactively by double clicking on the column. then right click on the column (2C4) in the structure tree view on the left side of the screen. To print the design report. Failure due to “shear” (Links): This occurs when ‘Fail’ is indicated under the ‘Links’ column. If this happens. . Click on ‘Shear Design’. Click on ‘Column Analysis’ in the ‘Column Reinforcement Design’ dialog box still open. it will be because shear was not designed for by the software. Left click. b. Click ‘Design Report’ in the dialog box shown below. Step 5 To view the interaction diagram for the column. Step 2 Next. Click on the slab strip icon in the members toolbar. Click the ‘Steel Bars’ tab and change ‘Bar spacing’ (under ‘Min’ to 75) and (under ‘Max’ to 300). The ‘Slab Strip Properties’ dialog box appears. let us establish the settings to be used. Click ‘Settings’. By the end of this tutorial. then select ‘Slab Design Settings’ from among the options. you will be able to easily carry out code based design of slabs and to print out the results. Step 1 Before we start the structural design of the slab. we will learn how to design slabs in Orion 18.ORION 18: HOW TO DESIGN SLAB USING SLAB STRIP METHOD In this tutorial. . Step 3 In the ‘Slab strip Properties’ dialog box. then beginning from outside the first slab on the left (3/A. Repeat this procedure for all the slabs. The ‘ctrl’ button is to ensure that the slab strip is completely vertical or horizontal. This option ensures that both the top and bottom steel as well as the support steel is designed for the slab. The bar detailing for the main bars (including the support) appears. click and drag horizontally across the slab. 1/A. It also ensures that the support steel at the edge is bent into the beam/wall. 3/B. set the ‘Type’ to ‘Analytical’ and select ‘Bob’ and for ‘At Start’ and ‘At End’ respectively. Click and drag vertically across the slab from top to bottom. begin from outside the same slab. ALTERNATIVELY. as well as the length of each bar type. Hold ‘ctrl’ on the keyboard. 1/B). The bar detailing for the distribution bars appear as was done for the main bars. To design for the secondary bars. . tick ‘All Storeys’. . Distribution detailing will still need to be carried out individually though. then click ‘Design’. A ‘Slab Analysis and Design’ dialog box appears.. In this box.Draw a horizontal slab strip starting from left of the first slab to the right of the last slab to automatically carry out the main bar detailing of all the slabs. Step 4 To print the slab design reports. Click ‘Run’ then ‘Slab Analysis and Design’ in the menu bar. Use the settings as shown in the image below. then sizes the column and places reinforcement. we will be learning how to model and design foundations in Orion 18. Step 2 . ORION 18: HOW TO DESIGN FOUNDATION In this tutorial. This is because the software considers the load from the column above. ‘Storey:St00’ is the storey for foundations. In Orion. We will also learn to display the calculation carried out for the design and print the design report. both the modelling and design of the foundation occur at the same time. Step 1 Double click the ‘Storey:St00’ in the structure tree view on the left of the screen. To produce a PDF or Excel format of the result.A preview of the report is shown which can then be printed out in different formats. With Orion 18. click ‘PDF’ or ‘TDF’ at the top of the screen. The columns are created one after the other for all the columns. then select ‘Insert Pad Base’ Step 3 In the ‘Pad Base Options’ dialog box that appears. left click. right click. click ‘OK’ Step 5 . To exit the view. under ‘Footing Data’ are the parameters used for the design sand the design results. Displayed in the ‘Pad Base Properties – Project: Learning Orion’ dialog box. then Click ‘OK’. then right click on the footing. then select ‘Properties’ among the options. Click ‘Calculate’ to see the dialog box shown below. one after the other. tick ‘Create Square Footings’ only. Hold ‘ctrl’ on the keyboard and select all the columns. Step 4 To see the calculation for any footing. After highlighting them.While still in ‘Storey:St00’. Select ‘Print only Critical Combination’ among the options. To save in PDF. click ‘TDF’. click ‘PDF’ among the tabs at the top of the screen. . Click ‘Print’ in the ‘Pad Base Properties – Project: Learning Orion’ dialog box.To print the design report. For excel. The report shows in the Report Print Preview and can be printed or saved in PDF. ORION 18: HOW TO CREATE REINFORCEMENT DETAIL DRAWINGS Now, we will learn how to print structural detail drawings in Orion 18. This is the first tutorial in our Post-Analysis part of this tutorial series. Drawings in Orion 18 are created as AutoCAD drawings, therefore, to print drawings, you have to ensure that AutoCAD is installed in the system being used. In this tutorial, we will learn how to print detailing drawings of the structural members (Columns, beams and walls). For this tutorial, we will print column drawings, though the same procedure is also applicable to beams and slabs. Step 1 Left click, then right click on ‘Column’ in the structure tree view on the left side of the screen. Click on ‘Column Section Design’ Step 2 In the ’Column Reinforcement Design’ dialog box that appears, Click on the ‘Detail Drawing’ tab in the top row of the dialog box. In this view, Click ‘Create Sheets’. A ‘SHEET LAYOUT MODULE’ appears. In this module, set the sheet size to the one you want. Do this by clicking on ‘Sheet: A2 (59.4 x 42.0)’ and change it to the print sheet selected at the beginning (A2 (59.4 X 42.0)). Click ‘OK‘ in the ‘SHEET SIZES’ dialog box. Step 3 To place the drawings in sheets, Click on the name of the column (in this case ‘1C1’), and without releasing the mouse, drag it into the drawing area. The outline of the column appears in the sheet as shown below. Click ‘Save’, then ‘Close’ at the bottom left of the ‘SHEET LAYOUT MODULE’ dialog box. Step 4 In the ‘Column Reinforcement Design’ dialog box, click ‘Detail Drawings’. Select the sheet number, then click ‘OK’. The software opens the AutoCAD software with the detailing drawing inside. Step 5 To draw all the detailing drawings for all the columns automatically, Click on ‘Automatic Details (All Columns)’ among the options at the top of the ‘Column Reinforcement Design’ dialog box. In the ‘Detailing Drawing Arrangement’ dialog box that appears, tick the box for ‘Storey - 1’ and ‘Display Every Sheet Prepared’. The AutoCAD software automatically prints out all the detail drawings. ORION 18: HOW TO PRINT STRUCTURAL DESIGN REPORTS This creates the report for walls as well. NB: Orion considers column and walls together in everything (analysis. reports. A ‘Column Reinforcement Design – Project: LearningOrion’ dialog box appears. Click ‘Run’. Click ‘Design’ near the top of the screen. we will go through the simple steps to learn how to print out structural design reports for columns. In this tutorial. Click ‘OK’. A ‘Report Print Preview’ appears. you can check our post on it here. Change the ‘Font’ to ‘MS Sans Serif’ and the ‘Text Size’ to 12. then ‘Column Section Design’. Tick the boxes for ‘Print Loadings and Interaction Diagrams’ and ‘Display All Combinations in the Interaction Diagram’. Step 1 In the Members toolbar at the top of the screen. then click on ‘Design Report’. You can also use any other font or text size you prefer. walls and beams.This is our second tutorial in the Post-Analysis part of our tutorial series. To see how you can print a structural analysis report. Step 3 In the ‘Column Reinforcement Design’ dialog box that appears. . Click ‘PDF’ to create a copy of the report in PDF. etc) Step 2 In the dialog box that appears. design. Step 4 For beams. the same procedure applies but you select ‘Beam Section Design and Detailing’ under ‘Run’. . ORION 18: HOW TO GENERATE MATERIAL QUANTITIES REPORT . Step 1 Click on "Quantity Extraction Tables" in the member's toolbar at the top of the screen. Click "Report" to see the "Report Print Preview". slab steel bars. column/wall steel bars and beam steel bars. we will select the "Concrete Quantities Extraction Tables". we will go ahead and generate materials quantities tables for the structure. For this tutorial. The procedure. A "Quantities Extraction Tables" dialog box appears. is applicable for generating quantities for formwork. We will also save the report in Notepad. Here. A "Quantity Tables" dialog box appears. we will generate the report for concrete quantities for the whole structure.In this tutorial. PDF or Excel Format. Tick the box next to this option. Step 2 Select the type of quantities report you want to generate. . though. Click "Create Report". . PDF (Click 'PDF') or Excel Format (Click 'TDF'). Slab Steel or any of the other reports listed in the "Quantities Extraction Tables" dialog box.Step 3 Save the report in Notepad (Click 'TXT'). Step 4 Repeat the same procedure to print reports for Formwork quantity. For this tutorial. then Choose 'Export to Revit Structure'. then from among the options. Then Click 'CSC Integrator' among the options. Step 2 Run the Revit software and open a new project. In the 'Create Revit Transfer File' dialog box that appears. we will learn how to export an Orion model that has been designed into Revit Structure. Step 1 In the menu bar at the top of the screen. Save the file with its name and in the CXL file format. Click on 'CSC Integration' in the menu bar.ORION 18: HOW TO EXPORT STRUCTURAL MODELS FROM ORION TO REVIT Orion. select 'Model/File Export'. You can download this Integrator from the Tekla website here. Top Stories In this tutorial. Click 'File'. Before we start. This is especially useful for the BIM workflow as it enables the engineer to easily update structural design changes into the main BIM model located in Revit. make sure you have installed the Orion-Revit Integrator for that version of Revit. . we will use the 2015 Integrator. Click '.. For the first two (2). select 'First Time' from under 'Import From Orion'. Select the file and click 'Open'. we map the files from Orion to their equivalent in Revit. Levels. For 'Materials'...' next to 'Structural Column Types' 'Structural Framing Types' and 'Materials'. select 'Symbol'. ORION 18: 4 THINGS TO CHECK FOR BEFORE REFERENCING A DRAWING FILE FROM ORION Featured. Step 4 Next. Click '. Orion .' to open the location of the CXL file. From the options that appear. Beams. Click 'Finish' to import the model into Revit. and Walls. select 'Family' from the mapping files in the Revit Library. NB: 'Ignore Position' is used for subsequent updates of the model in Revit when you want the object to be updated irrespective of its current position in the Revit model.Step 3 In the 'Introduction' dialog box that appears. Click 'Next'. Slabs. Tick the boxes for Grids.. Columns. ARC. Where a software program like Autodesk ADT is used. 3. If there are parts of the CAD file that are Block objects. For this procedure. The CAD files must have the same unit as the graphic editor (the Orion software.) b. which create its own special objects. use AECExplode.Have you finished your beautifully drawn out plan and want to send it to your Orion model for structural calculations? Here are a few things to note of so that the drawing file doesn't slow down your work or report errors. explode them in AutoCAD before trying to import. know that dimensions are also regarded as blocks and should be exploded to lines and texts. If axis and column lines are part of the drawing being imported. Axes must be drawn using ‘Line’ entities in the CAD software c. then use EXPLODE to break down these blocks before creating the DXF file. Wall and column members must be grouped in a single layer. Columns must be drawn using ‘Polyline’ entities. make sure that you delete all unnecessary entities. LWPOLYLINE AND TEXT are imported into Orion. d. Only LINE. . POLYLINE. in addition to everything above: a. take note of these. Before converting to DXF in the CAD software. Anything else should be deleted before conversion from DWG to DXF. 4. 2. which initially generate blocks. 1. Open the drawing in AutoCAD. tick the 'Display Reference Drawing ' box. then click . Top Stories If you already have a building drawing from AutoCAD but want to continue your design in Orion 18. here is how you will go about it. select the saved 'Drawing1'. I'm going to import an old drawing plan I named 'Drawing1' into Orion. From the 'Load DXF file' dialog box.dxf format) from the 'Files of Type' list. In the 'Save Drawing As' dialog box that appears. then click 'File' and select 'Save As'.ORION 18: HOW TO IMPORT AUTOCAD DRAWINGS INTO ORION Featured. then click 'Load'. In the 'Reference Drawing Settings' dialog box that appears. Choose 'AutoCAD 2013 DXF (. To do that. Step 1 Convert the drawing from the original DWG format in AutoCAD to DXF file format. Orion.dxf)' (or any other . Click 'Save'. Click 'External Reference Drawing' in the member's toolbar at the top of the screen. Step 2 Open the Orion 18 software. For this tutorial. .'Open' to import the file into Orion. Click 'Move' in the 'Reference Drawing Settings' dialog box that is still open. Next. The drawing appears as below. Wait. To do so. the drawing is not well positioned in the drawing area. Step 3 As we can see. we move it to be well positioned within the drawing area. hover on the drawing then click a point on the drawing when the red 'X' appears (here I click the top left corner of the drawing) and drag it to position the drawing better. then select the unit of import as 'mm' when the dialog box for units appears and click 'OK'. The drawing is now fitting better into the drawing area. .Step 4 The drawing is now better positioned but still too big.65' into the box above 'Scale'. To reduce its size to fit into the drawing area. then click 'Scale'. we type scale factor of '0. If the model check doesn't have any error. 1. They need separate 'column' and 'axes' layers in the DXF file. Click 'Import Members' in the 'Reference Drawing Settings' dialog box. Using 'Group by Axis Directions' option ignores this command and groups the axes solely by their angles. NB: For axes and columns to be imported. 2. . with the axes and columns.) If all the axes are on only one layer. this layer should be set as Dir-1 and Dir-2 set as 'None'. Tick the boxes for 'Import Axes' and 'Import Columns'. Click 'OK'. close it to view the axes and columns in the drawing area as seen below.Step 5 Now we will import our columns and axis into the drawing area. For axes. it may be 2 layers ('Dir-1' and 'Dir-2' for the layers having the horizontal and vertical axes respectively. They must be made of straight lines and closed polylines respectively in the AutoCAD drawing. Select the layers for the axes and column. . We will use column 1C6 on the LearningOrion tutorial for this tutorial. lateral Uniformly Distributed Loads (UDL) and lateral point load.ORION 18: HOW TO ADD LOAD TO A SINGLE COLUMN In this tutorial. Load types include vertical point loads. we will learn how to add loads to a single column. We input 3KN in the box where ‘G’ and ‘Fz’ intersect to apply a 3KN point load at the top of the column. so we input ‘h’ as 3. Or any other name you like. To add a load along the span of a column UDL. then right click on Column 1C6 on the ground floor. From among the options that appear. Click OK. From among the options. In the dialog box that appears. For the load case. 2. For ‘w2-Top’ and ‘w2-Bottom’. ‘h’ is the span for the load. Click ‘Add’ at the bottom left of the 'Column: 1C6 (Storey: 1) Span Load' dialog box to create a new load. We use the same value for ‘w1-Bottom’. To impose lateral point loads. Select “Add Column/Wall Nodal Load”. We use 3KN. Step 2 2. Step 1 1. To add a vertical nodal load at the top. Click. Step 4 4. select ‘Apply to Selected Columns and Walls’. then right click the column. we want our lateral load to start from the very top so we input ‘y’ as 0. In this case. ‘y’ is the distance from the top from which the lateral loading starts. set ‘h’.5 (height of column) since we want it to span the whole height of the column. ‘w1-Bottom’ and ‘w2-Bottom’ to 0. Click 'OK'. As we have said before. we call it 'AA'. NB: 1. Click ‘Add Column/Wall Span Load’. . Click. In the ‘Nodal Load’ dialog box that appears. Orion treats columns and walls the same way. ‘w1-Top’ is the DL value at the top of the column in the 1-direction (x-axis) and we use 2KN. Step 3 3. For our UDL load. To place it at the center. Insert a 'Dead Load . we input ‘Reference X’ as 2. Select to use a UDL load. Step 2 Click ‘New Load’ on the left side of the BEAM: 1B10 Loading Dialog' dialog box. Click. Step 1 Open the LearningOrion tutorial. Click ‘OK’. Click ‘OK’ to create the new load.G' value of 3KN/m. we input a point load. To add loads to beams. Select . Click ‘New Load’. . Let’s name it ‘A1’ in the ‘Enter Load Label’ box. we will learn how to input point loads and UDL for a beam in CSC Orion 18. then right click on beam ‘1B10’. Step 3 Next. ORION 18: HOW TO ADD LOAD TO A SINGLE BEAM In this tutorial.5m (center of our beam). Select ‘Edit Member Loads’ from among the options. Click ‘OK’ again in the ‘Beam: 1B10 Dialog’ dialog box to save it. We use an ‘Imposed Load – Q:’ of 10KN. we will make w1 and w2 to be the same in the 'Slab Load Properties' dialog box. we will learn to impose a line and Area Load for a slab. increasing from point 'w1'. If we make w2 bigger. Top Stories For this tutorial. . the loading will be trapezoidal. Click the upward arrow next to "Load Case 1: Dead Load" box to display and select "Load Case 2: Live Load". VDL. Step 1 Click in the members toolbar at the top of the screen.) Click the centerline of the adjacent beam to create the line load (location of w1) to create the load.) Insert w1 as 3KN/M (w2 automatically takes the same value. up to the other end of the loading.ORION 18: HOW TO ADD LOAD TO A SINGLE SLAB Orion. Step 2 Click . though this can be changed for varying distributed load. We insert UDL length of 5000mm (length of beam. the first point selected. To ensure a UDL line load. Enter 'b1' and 'b2' as 5. Click the intersection of the beam centerlines at the bottom left side of the slab to insert the area load.Step 3 To insert an area load into 'Slab: 1S4'. Click in the "Load Slab Properties" dialog box that appears after step 1.000mm and 14. Click 'OK' in the 'Slab Load Properties' dialog box. ORION 18: HOW TO MODEL CURVED BEAMS . the horizontal and vertical sides of the slab.000mm. then click on Point (1. click on point (3. A). In this tutorial. we will learn how to model a curved beam between two points Step 1 Open the 'LearningOrion' tutorial we have used for this series up to this point.In this tutorial. Step 2 Click the beam sign in the menu toolbar at the top of the screen. A). After the 'Beam Properties' dialog box appears. A). we will create a curved beam between Point (1. and without releasing the mouse. Hold the 'Shift' button on the keyboard. . A) and (3. pile cap and raft foundations respectively. . and under it. The more the number of segments.Step 3 A 'Beam Insertion and Offset Options' dialog box appears. beginning with this. Over the course of our next three tutorials. Choose 'Chord Offset(h)' and use 2000mm (this is the distance of the center of the curve from the chord as shown in the diagram in the dialog box. NB: For a curve in the other direction. we dealt with the design of pad foundations underneath columns. Click 'OK' to display the curved beam as shown below. ORION 18: HOW TO MODEL AND DESIGN STRIP FOUNDATIONS In our previous tutorial on foundations. we will apportion some of the previously designed pad foundations into the other types listed above as shown in the diagram below.) Make sure that 'Tangent Segments (External)' is selected. we will do so for other types of foundations which are strip. the smoother the curve of the beam. Among the options under 'Curved Beam Insertion'. To achieve this in our tutorial. use '12' as 'Number of Segments'. use a 'Chord Offset' of -2000mm. Since we have already designed for pads.In the case of our tutorial. we will create beams for the strip foundations NB: Building Analysis of the building has to be done before we can proceed with the design of foundation. In Orion 18. Since we originally don’t have beams in our foundations. The depth of the beams created 'h' will be the depth of the strip foundation. we have already done that previously. we design for strip foundations. beams are required to design strip foundations. For the beams. we will create it using the properties as shown in the dialog box below.Step 1: Double click ‘Storey: St00’ in the Structure tree view on the left side of the screen to get the whole view of all our previously designed foundations. we will delete the pad foundations in the area marked out for the strip foundation. next. Firstly. . then right click and select ‘Insert Strip Footing’. moment as well as Shear. shear force and bending moment diagrams for the foundation as shown below. you can check the values for axial load. Step 3: In the ‘Strip Footings Results – Footing 3’ dialog box that appears. select all the beams. . Click ‘Calculate’ to design the strip foundation based on the parameters in the dialog box. Tick the ‘Design Envelope’ box at the top of the dialog box. The results can also be printed using the buttons at the top right hand side of the dialog box. Click on the ‘Diagrams’ tab to see the loading.Step 2: While holding ‘ctrl’. Click ‘OK’ to return to the design area. span moments and support moments used for the design. A ‘STRIP FOOTING – Project: LearningOrion’ dialog box appears. Click ‘Yes’ in the dialog box that appears. This updates the values of the footing analysis so that it can be used for Foundation beam Design. Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams for the strip foundation Step 4: Next. we will design the foundation. we select ‘Run’ --‘Beam Section Design and Detailing’ -.‘Create/Update Footing Beam Records’ in the main menu. we select ‘Run’ – ‘Beam Section Design and Detailing’ – ‘Foundation Beams’ to design the strip foundation as a Foundation beam. . The rest of the design is then carried out as was done for Storey beams in our earlier tutorial. To do that. Next. Loading. Click ‘Calculate’. Untick the box next to ‘Calculate Automatically’. St:00. Step 2 In the ‘PILE CAP DESIGN – Project: LearningOrion’ dialog box. . we will be modelling and designing pile cap and foundation on Orion 18. then right click on column ‘1C16’ for the foundation. The settings are as displayed below. You can also check out our previous installment on modelling and designing strip foundations here. Select ‘Insert Pile Cap’. Step 1 Open the Foundation Storey. under the ‘General’ tab. A fourth tab titled ‘Results’ is created and opened displaying the forces encountered by the pile cap. or our first foundation design where we modelled pad foundations here. The value of ‘Lx’ and ‘Ly’ has been changed to 2200mm as part of the design process. Next click. we will specify our pile cap dimensions.ORION 18: HOW TO DESIGN PILE FOUNDATIONS Featured. Set ‘Lx’ and ‘Ly’ to be equal to 2000mm. This change may be upwards or downwards depending on the load used for designing the pile. Let's go. Orion Areas which we will design as pile. strip and raft foundations For this tutorial. the dialog box does not appear. ‘ctrl’ on the keyboard. Hold. then select the rest of the columns visible in the area for pile foundations. Click ‘OK’ to display the pile cap Step 3 For other columns among the group for our pile cap design. . Click ‘OK’ on the ‘Pile Base Options’ dialog box that appears to create the other pile caps. pile size and number of piles. Right click and select ‘Insert Pile Cap’. In this case. It only analyses the loading and selects pile cap size. Pile Cap Design dialog box NB: Orion does not carry out pile cap depth check. we will design them together. shear or moment checks for pile caps. reinforcement design. we model 1m cantilever slabs around the edges of the created slab. then click on one end of the axis line along the edge of the beam. delete all the pad foundations there. Do this around the four edges of the first slab we created.) Step 2 Next. select '12'.ORION 18: HOW TO MODEL. Among the slab types. then under 'Type'. Create a slab of 600mm depth using the Axis Region slab insertion method (because there are no beams in the foundation. For this. select 'FE Strip'. We do this by selecting the slab icon in the members toolbar. we will learn how to model analyse and design raft foundations. and without releasing the mouse. open the 'St:00' storey. Step 4 . With the storey open. ANALYSE AND DESIGN RAFT FOUNDATIONS In this tutorial. Step 1 As with all our previous tutorials on foundations here. click 'Slab Strip' in the members toolbar. click on the second end to create the cantilever slab. This will be used at the end of our analysis stage. Click the left side of the slab (outside the slab). introduce an FE slab strip. Without releasing the mouse. draw the strip across the slab. In the region slated for raft foundations in our 'LearningOrion' tutorial. here and here. Step 3 To carry out reinforcement design. There. To design reinforcement. This. then right click on the slab strip created earlier. click 'Generate Model'.) Click 'Run' in the menu toolbar. Step 5 Click 'Analysis Post-Processing' to view the contour diagrams for different areas of the raft foundation. However. ORION 18: HOW TO DESIGN A STAIRCASE The Orion 18 software has design for staircase. Final reinforcement design should be checked in detail Step 2 . Before you even start. the software gives this warning The current design code gives no fixed guidance on stair design. though. Orion does not model does not model staircases. then 'Stair Design'. The mesh for the slab is generated. click. which may serve for most cases. click 'Raft Foundation Mesh And Analysis'. To carry out this design. Close this view to automatically begin the analysis. In the 'Mat Foundation Analysis' view. Click 'Run'. then 'FE Raft Foundation Analysis'. Step 1 Go to the menu toolbar. An empirical design method is used which may be helpful for estimating purposes. select 'Properties' and click 'Update'. Under 'Floor Mesh and Analysis' in the dialog box that appears. will have to be checked manually as it is a rough estimation.The analysis and design for raft foundation is based on Finite Element (FE. Step 3 We input data for the staircase design as seen in the dialog box below. then click 'Calculate' The design reinforcement detailing for the designed slab are as shown below . we select the type of staircase we want to design. we will select the 'Simple Supported Stair with Landings Supported From Long Edge'. For this design. seen at the top left corner of the 'Stair Design' dialog box.Next. ORION 18: HOW TO CONTROL AND MANAGE LAYERS Layer management in CSC Orion 18 is actually quite simple as most of the layers are created . For example. however.) unlike Autocad where they have to be created individually. the waffle slab seen in the structural model above will disappear. etc. To make the objects on a layer appear or disappear on the structural model. Go to 'Settings' . to get a more detailed control of the layers.'Layer and Color Settings' in the menu toolbar at the top of the screen. . only controls the visibility of layers in the structural model.'Layer and Color Settings' . if we click the 'Ribbed Slab Layer Group' option in the toolbar. The dialog box below appears. See the new model below: The toolbar. However. click on the 'Layers' toolbar located as shown the image below.by default for the different building components (beams. slabs. then choose a different color and click 'OK'. text. we will change the colour of the beam text.) As an example. The color of the text on beams changes immediately. column. These kinds of changes can be made for different parts of different building components.Here. etc) in every building component (beam. You can also try out different combinations if you want certain features to appear more or less prominent in the building model The 'Colors and Hatching' tab in the dialog box shown above is used to control the colors and patterns in regions of the model such as slab regions. Click the dropdown. we can change the 'Color'. 'Line Type'. 'Text Font' and text height ('h-Text') for every feature (centre line. ORION 18: HOW TO MODEL. etc. Use the 'Pick Color' button to choose a color for a region or click the 'Cancel' button to make it colorless. ANALYSE AND DESIGN A WAFFLE SLAB . etc. walls. To do this. click under the 'Color' column next to the 'BEAM TEXT' layer description. We will remove slab '1S2' on the first suspended floor and replace it with a waffle slab.For this tutorial. we are going to modify part of the model created in the 'LearningOrion' tutorial we have been using. Split view of the 'LearningOrion' tutorial model Step 1 . Let's start by revisiting our model. then delete it. Go to 'Type'. The meaning of the different parameters 'bw'.We go to 'Storey:St01'. click on the dimension tag titled '1S2' as seen below for the main reinforcement bars. 'h-Slab' and 's-Block' are as shown below . In the 'Ribbed Slab Properties' dialog box that appears. click on the 'Ribbed Slab' sign in the menu toolbar near the top of the screen. Step 2 Next. NB: To easily select slabs. click the dropdown and select 'Grillage'. and select slab '1S2'. 'h'. 'h' is the total height of the waffle beams 'h-Slab' is the height of the slab 'bw' is the width of the waffle 's-Block' is the distance between the waffles Step 3 Click in the area where slab '1S2' so as to create the slab as shown below Step 4 . Click 'Run' . To do that.'Rib' to open the 'Rib Section Design and Detailing' dialog box and complete the design as was done for beam design *Waffle slab image courtesy of IMCP . Step 5 Now we design the waffle slab. then click 'Design'. To do so.'Beam Section Design and Detailing' . then 'Ribbed Slab Analysis' in the menu toolbar. Click 'Run'. we analyse the waffle slab.Next. Check the box for 'All Storeys' in the 'Ribbed Slab Analysis' dialog box. we run slab strips perpendicular to the ribs.