06-07-2010, 02:13 PM
i'm not an expert in the program but i'll try to guide you along.
at the link below you will find a book called "Design of single-span steel portal frames to BS 5950-1:2000". At the end of the book you will find an example of a portal frame design using fastrak portal frame. i highly recommend working through this example.
Code:
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To show purlins and side rails:
once an analysis has be run the member stability menu should show columns and rafters. double clicking on a column or rafter will open up a new window showing that member. the simplest way to create restraints is to use the "automatic stability check wizard". this is the last button on the stability toolbar. you need to create the restraints for all members.
It would be normal at this stage to add the stability checks and check member stability.
once all of the restraints are created you can double click on the structure heading in the workspace menu, this should open up a 3d view of the building. to show the purlins and side rails click on the building pulldown menu and then "BUILDING COLD ROLLED" from the bottom of the menu. Select the your side rail and purlin sizes and click ok. they should show up in the 3d view as lines.
this is a very brief description, the software help files will provide you with a much better tuition is the software
regards, sheb