Mode: Column

"Column" mode allows you to quickly enter and design individual wood columns, wall studs and CLT wall panels. To select Column mode, choose Column from the Mode menu or press the Mode button on the Tool Bar.

Materials Input

When in Column View, the main work area allows you to specify the column or wall height, materials, species, grade, section size used and other needed information including,

member name (optional)
deflection limits
lateral supports (bracing)
end connection type (pinned, fixed or free)
built-up column plies and connection method
wall stud spacing
service conditions, treatment and load sharing
fire design information
special inputs for glulam materials
supporting member information for bearing design

The column with its lateral supports and supporting member information is displayed at the right of the screen.

Loads Input

When in Loads View, the main work area is used to load the column, wall stud, or wall panel and a diagram showing the loads on the member is displayed at the right of the screen. This view also contains a number of Load Options pertaining to items like self-weight, direction of lateral loading, axial eccentricity, viewing and input preferences, etc.

For more information, see How To Load The Member.

Output

After clicking the Design button, the following Design Results become available:

Design Summary giving a list of passing sections, along with the analysis vs. design ratios for each section,
Analysis Results giving all the load combinations generated for the member and the shear forces and and bending moments calculated for each one
Analysis Diagrams with showing reactions, bending, shear, and deflection graphs for each load combination, and for the critical results.
When a column, wall stud or panel section is selected in the Data Bar, Design Check Results showing force vs resistance values for each design criterion, with optional Additional Data showing critical load combinations, modification factors, and intermediate design data.

Tools

The Tool Bar allows you to quickly change between Column, Details, Loads, Diagram, and the three Results views and to quickly execute a design by clicking the Design button. The Data Bar allows you to select a particular section for further design. Status Bar provides you with information and instructions The status bar displays the function of each Tool Bar button if you pass the mouse cursor over a button.