Gtmenu Gtstrudl

GT STRUDL
Version 30
Release Guide - Vol. 2 of 2
GTMENU
April 2009
Computer-Aided Structural Engineering Center
School of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0355
U.S.A.
Telephone: (404) 894-2260

Fax: (404) 894-8014
e-mail: casec@ce.gatech.edu
NOTICES
This GTSTRUDL Release Guide is applicable to Version 30 with a release date in the
GTSTRUDL title block of April 2009.
The GTSTRUDL computer program is proprietary to, and a trade secret of the Georgia
Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.
GTMenu and its documentation were developed as an enhancement to GTSTRUDL authored
by the Computer-Aided Structural Engineering Center, Georgia Institute of Technology.
DISCLAIMER
NEITHER GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION NOR GEORGIA INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGY MAKE ANY WARRANTY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO THE
DOCUMENTATION, FUNCTION, OR PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM
DESCRIBED HEREIN, AND THE USER OF THE PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO MAKE
THE FINAL EVALUATION AS TO THE USEFULNESS OF THE PROGRAM IN THEIR
OWN ENVIRONMENT.
Commercial Software Rights Legend
Any use, duplication, or disclosure of this software by or for the U.S. Government shall be
restricted to the terms of a license agreement in accordance with the clause at DFARS
227.7202-3 (June 2005).
This material may be reproduced by or for the U.S. Government pursuant to the copyright
license under the clause at DFARS 252.227-7013, September 1989.
Copyright 2009
Georgia Tech Research Corporation
Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0355
U.S.A.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
S)))))))))))))))))Q
GTSTRUDL is a registered service mark of the Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta,
Georgia.
Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows NT are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Microsoft Office Excel is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and/or other countries.
Table of Contents
Chapter
Page
NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
DISCLAIMER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Commercial Software Rights Legend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Chapter 1
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
Objectives & Overview of Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intended Audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overview of Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contents and Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-4
Chapter 2
2.0
How to Start GTMenu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Chapter 3
3.0
GTMenu Desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Chapter 4
4.0
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
Menu Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Create . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Edit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Coordinate System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-26
Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29
Chapter 5
5.0
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10
5.11
5.12
5.13
Button Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Inquire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Active Independent Static Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Display Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Display Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Annotate Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Label Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Zoom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Rotate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Redraw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Redraw Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Mode Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Chapter 6
6.0
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
Example Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.0-1
6.1-1
6.2-1
6.3-1
6.4-1
6.5-1
Chapter 7
7.0
Known Problems and Possible Workarounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction
1.
Objectives & Overview of Capabilities
1.1
Objectives
GTMenu is a graphical user interface within GTSTRUDL that is designed to
generate structural model data and display analysis and design results.
1.2
Intended Audience
This manual is addressed to the structural engineer that will be using GTMenu.
1.3
Overview of Capabilities
GTMenu uses all the conventions, concepts and syntax associated with GTSTRUDL.
These include free-field input, optional data labels, access to data tables, change of
units at any time, multiple structural types within the same model, member
eccentricities and end joint sizes. Additional facilities are used only within GTMenu.
Examples of these are automatic generation of IDs, geometric entities called
construction points, lines and curves, as well as material and section property
groups.
Some of the major features of GTMenu are as follows:
1.
MODEL CREATION
Structural components and attributes can be specified individually or
automatically generated in a mesh quickly and with a minimum of input.
This includes joints, members, all GTSTRUDL finite element types,
properties, supports and loadings.
2.
MODEL EDITING
Any data generated by GTMenu can be changed by using an appropriate
EDIT function. Portions or all of the model may be copied, scaled or
deleted. Members may be easily split (subdivided). Member releases and
eccentricities may be specified in the EDIT function. An existing model
may be moved, scaled, or extruded. Users may also right click on a
member, element, or joint and see all of the model attributes. Each attribute
may then be easily changed by double clicking thus activating an EDIT
function.
1-1
1-2
Introduction
3.
MODEL CHECKING
GTMenu may be used to check and verify models generated within
GTMenu and models generated in GTSTRUDL outside GTMenu.
Specifically, a model can be checked to connect and eliminate duplicate
joints, members and elements that may be automatically generated.
CHECK can eliminate duplicate joints. In addition, this feature performs
checks on element distortions and aspect ratios and planar elements.
Computation of the weight and center of gravity of the model and a
summation of the applied loads can be requested.
4.
SAVE/RESTORE
You may save a session database at any time and restore the data later to
continue model development. This feature of GTMenu is the same as the
GTSTRUDL SAVE/RESTORE feature available in command mode.
5.
DATABASE and INPUT FILE

The GTMenu database can be translated directly into a GTSTRUDL
database for analysis in the same session. You may create a GTSTRUDL
text input file for use as input verification or for later editing and reuse.
6.
STANDARD and USER DEFINED VIEWS

GTMenu contains four standard views; isometric, XY plane, XZ plane and
YZ plane. The user may define additional views. The user definable views
can be defined using global or skewed planes or simply a view of the
current display. Views may be returned to any time by simply clicking on
a scrollable list of views.
7.
DYNAMIC ROTATION
You may dynamically rotate the model by clicking in the graphics area and
moving the cursor using the mouse. You may also cause the structure to
continuously rotate on the screen using the dynamic tumbling option.
8.
RESULTS DISPLAY
Analysis results may be displayed within GTMenu. These results include
the display of the deformed structure, dynamic and buckled mode shapes,
the transient response of the structure, force diagrams and envelopes,
contouring of finite element results, the vector display of 2D finite
element principal results, and joint reactions. You may also label member
and forces at the start and end of each member. The deformed structure,
dynamic and buckled mode shapes and the transient response may be
animated. You may also animate the deformed shape or the force/moment
diagrams as a moving load moves across the structure.
Introduction
Steel design code check results may also be displayed including the
Pass/Fail status of a member, actual/allowable stress and Kl/r values, and
controlling code provisions.
Offshore design punching shear results may also be displayed including
the Pass/Fail status of a member, actual/allowable stress and Geometric
Ratio (API Equation 4.1-1) checks, and controlling code provisions.
Plastic hinge results may also be displayed indicating the percentage of a
complete plastic hinge at the start or end of a member.
9.
DRAW SOLID SHAPES

Finite elements may be displayed as solid shapes. In addition, steel
shapes taken from tables of steel shapes may be displayed as solid shapes
with the cross-sections drawn to scale. Member Properties specified using
the Member Dimension command (circles, rectangles, tees, RL and LL
concrete cross-sections) may also be shown as color-filled solids.
Variable member properties will also be shown.
10.
DEFAULT SETTINGS
Default Settings allows you to set default values used by GTMenu.
Examples are default print options and color usage.
11.
DELETION (in each Creation menu)

Any data generated in the current menu can be deleted without leaving the
current menu. This makes it easy to eliminate mistakes immediately.
12.
AUTOMATIC DIMENSIONING
GTMenu can annotate the screen with dimension lines and automatically
calculated dimensions. Comments can also be placed anywhere on the
screen.
13.
NAMES (IDs) for JOINTS, MEMBERS and ELEMENTS

The IDs generated for joints, members and elements may be controlled.
You may define an alphanumeric prefix along with a starting integer. You
may change the ID prefix or starting integer as the model is being created.
You may also resequence the IDs for the model.
14.
MIXED UNITS OF LENGTH

Whenever a length value is requested (such as a coordinate value), you
may enter the value in feet, inches and inch fractions, regardless of the
currently active units.
1-3
1-4
Introduction
15.
PRINTED OUTPUT
The graphical display area may be printed at any time. In addition, the
graphical display may be brought into the Scope Editor for the addition of
annotation, changing of colors or moving existing annotation.
16.
TEXT INPUT FILE

A text GTSTRUDL input file reflecting the current model data may be
created at any time. The input file may be created for the entire model or
a portion of the model.
1.4
Contents and Organization

This document discusses GTMenu start-up procedures and describes the layout of
the GTMenu desktop. In addition, it describes the functionality of the top level
menus. This manual provides example problems in Chapter 6 which demonstrate
the features of GTMenu. In the examples, italic type indicates menu selections
which you pick with a mouse and bold type indicates data or commands which you
enter on the keyboard.
A list of known problems with GTMenu and possible workarounds is presented in
Chapter 7.
How to Start GTMenu
2.
How to Start GTMenu
From the GTSTRUDL StartupWizard as shown below, select GTMenu and then select OK.
or from GTSTRUDL Output - GTSTRUDL window select Modeling and then select
Graphical Modeling (GTMenu) as shown below:
2-1
2-2
How to Start GTMenu

or by selecting the icon from the Toolbar for GTMenu as shown below,
or from the Command input box at the bottom of the GTSTRUDL Output window, enter:
menu or gtmenu
GTMenu Desktop
3.
GTMenu Desktop
A description of the layout of the Menu screen is shown below:
GTMenu Desktop Layout
The Desktop Components

The GTMenu desktop screen consists of the following items:
Menu Bar from which you can select "pull-down" menus.
Button Bar containing some of the most frequently used functions.
Message Area which displays prompts and messages to guide you through
GTMenu functions.
Graphics Window to graphically display the model.
3-1
3-2
GTMenu Desktop
Mode Bar which allows you to specify how you want to select or identify
joints, members and elements.
Tool Tips will become visible when the cursor rests on buttons on the Button
Bar.
Independent Load will display the first active independent static loading
name or the last loading activated in GTMenu for Create, Edit, Display or
Results functions.
Arrow Keys which allow you to use the arrow keys on the keyboard to
Rotate, Zoom, and Pan on the model.
Using GTMenu
Click the left mouse button to select any menu item, dialog button or item from a list.
(While creating a model or selecting model items in the Graphics Window, you may select
another menu item or dialog item to exit graphics processing and return to menu processing).
You may double-click the left mouse button to select any item from a list such as a property
name or load name.
If graphics processing (selecting with mouse or animation) is being performed, click the
right mouse button to stop graphics processing. If graphics processing is not being
performed, clicking on the right mouse button on a joint, member or element will provide
you with information regarding that joint, member or element. Hold down the control key
and right-click on a joint, member or element to get information about the active loading on
that joint, member or element.
Press the Enter key after inputting the data into an input box.
You may use the arrow keys on the keyboard to rotate, zoom or pan the model in the
Graphics Window. The current function of the arrow keys is shown at the top of the
Graphics Window. The default function of the arrow keys is set to rotate. To enable arrow
key functionality, select the Graphics Window by left-clicking in the Graphics Window
when not performing graphics processing. After selecting the Graphics Window, the image
may be rotated about the screens horizontal axis by using the up/down arrow keys. To
rotate about the screens vertical axis, use the left/right arrow keys.
GTMenu Desktop
To zoom in or out within the Graphics Window using the arrow keys, (select the Graphics
Window to make it the active window, then press Z or z to set the arrow keys to zoom
mode), and then use the up/down arrow keys to zoom in or out. You may also change the
function of the arrow keys to a pan mode by pressing P or p. Then, the arrow keys will
pan the graphics image; up, down, left or right depending on which arrow key is selected.
To change the function of the arrow keys back to rotate, press R or r.
In addition to the arrow keys and the Z or z, P or p and R or r keys, additional
hot keys are (you may use upper or lower case characters):
< or >
to rotate about screen z axis
to return to the fUll structure (use after zooming),
to Window using the cursor,
LA
Label All joints, members, and elements,
LJ (names)<cr>
Label All or named joints,
LM (names)<cr>
Label All members and elements or named members/elements,
Again : draw the Display again
to go back to a previous display after zooming, rotating,

panning or changing views,
to go forward to a previous display (this is only valid after

having gone back so a forward display exists),
1 - 9
will cause view 1, 2, 3, . . . 9 to be displayed
0nn
will cause view nn to be displayed where nn is an integer

from 10 - 99.
00nnn
will cause view nnn to be displayed where nnn is an integer

from 100 - 999,
display the VIEW menu (see Section 4.4) in more options

mode
will cause an isometric rotation of the current VIEW (see

Section 4.4) to be displayed,
XY
will cause an xy plane rotation of the current VIEW (see

XZ
will cause an xz plane rotation of the current VIEW (see

3-3
3-4
GTMenu Desktop
YZ
will cause a yz plane rotation of the current VIEW (see

Section 4.4) to be displayed.
iNquire about clicked on entity,
<ctrl>Q
hold down the CTRL key when pressing the Q key to write
the Query statistics (see Section 4.4) to the Message Area.
J or <ctrl>J
select Joints only (hold down the CTRL key when pressing
the J key for joint load inquiry)
M or <ctrl>M
select Members only (hold down the CTRL key when

pressing the M key for member load inquiry)
E or <ctrl>E
select Elements only (hold down the CTRL key when

pressing the E key for element load inquiry)
list a short description of the hot keys similar to the above
where
<cr> is a carriage return (the Enter key)
When entering data into tables (e.g. Variable Spacing), press Enter or use the arrow keys
to move from one table entry to the next entry. The mouse may also be used to move to a
table entry by moving the cursor to the next entry box and clicking the left mouse button.
4-1
4.
Menu Bar
The Menu Bar located at the top of the desktop reveals pull-down menus when
invoked. Selections from the Menu Bar provide access to GTMenu commands and features.
The menu selections can also be activated without a mouse using accelerator keys. A
selection in the main Menu Bar is activated by selecting an <Alt><Key> sequence where
<Key> is the underlined letter in the Menu Bar. Once the pull-down menu appears, you can
press the <Key> without the <Alt> to select from the pull-down menu. The following
sections describe each item in the Menu Bar.
4.1
File item from Menu Bar
File
Restore Model ...
Save Model ...
Generate GT STRUDL text input ...
Page Setup
Print
Print Preview and Edit
End GTMenu
Purpose
The File menu allows you to restore a model from a previous session, save the
current model data, generate a GT STRUDL input file, print the Graphics Window,
print preview and edit the Graphics Window using the Scope Editor and end
GTMenu to return to the main GTSTRUDL Output window.
Functions
Restore Model
To restore a previous model, select Restore Model from the File menu. A
dialog box appears containing a list of saved models. Double click on a selection
from the list to restore that model.
Save Model
You may save the existing model by selecting Save Model under the File menu.
As in Restore, a dialog box appears containing a scrollable list of saved models.
Enter a new name in the input box to save as a new model or select a name from
the list to save as an existing model.
4-2
Generate GT STRUDL text input
Generate GT STRUDL text input allows you to generate a GT STRUDL input
file (.gti file). A dialog box appears to allow you to format the input file, enter
an input file name, enter an optional model name and description.
The generated input file will contain the following information:
Coordinates
Supports and Joint Releases
Incidences (Member and Element)
Material, Element, and Member Properties
Member Eccentricities and End Joint Size
Member Releases
Beta angles
Static Loadings
Loading Combinations
Steel Design Parameters and Constraints
Group, Column Line, Girder, and Physical Member Definitions
Mass data such as Lumped or Consistent Mass, Joint Inertias, and
Member Added Mass
GTMenu Point Coordinates
GTMenu Line Incidences
If a view is active that contains only a portion of the structure, you may have
the generated input file contain only information related to joints, members,
and elements in the current view.
The generated input file does not contain the following information:
Joint Ties and Joint Constraints (Rigid Bodies)
Dynamic Loadings including the storing of time history or response
spectrum curves
Dynamic Damping
Dynamic Parameters
Nonlinear Effects
Analysis commands
List or Print commands
Page Setup
Selecting this option will pop-up a dialog which allows you to apply templates
and specify margins to later be used by the Print and Print Preview and Edit
functions below.
4-3
Print
The Graphics Window will be printed to the default Windows printer.
Print Preview and Edit
The Graphics Window will be captured and opened in the Scope Editor. The
Scope Editor allows you to add annotation, alter colors, zoom in on the image,
copy to the clipboard and to print the image. You may also export the image in
the Scope Editor to an enhanced metafile format (.emf file). This will allow you
to later insert the graphical image in another file such as a Microsoft Word or
Power Point document.
End GTMenu
You will return to the GTSTRUDL Output window if no changes have been
made. If you have made changes to an existing model while in GTMenu, you
will be asked if you want to keep the changes. If you select Yes, you will return
to the GTSTRUDL Output window with your changes. If you select No, your
changes will be discarded and you will return to the GTSTRUDL Output window
with the original model.
4-4
4.2
Create item from Menu Bar
Create
<
<
Material Properties
Member Properties
Joints Only ...
Place Members ...
Elements Only ...
Members or Elements using Grid
<
Construction Points, Lines/Curves and Surfaces

Joints and Members using Construction
Joints and Elements using Construction
<
<
<
Support & Release ...
<
Loads ...
Local Coordinate System ...
Groups...
Purpose
The Create menu allows you to generate structural components such as joints,
members, and elements, generate attributes such as material and member properties,
and create loads. You may also specify supports and releases, local coordinate
systems, and groups using the Create menu.
Example Problem
before proceeding, it is highly recommended that the user go

through at least Example 1 in Section 6.1.
Functions
Material Properties
The Material Group dialog allows you to assign values for the constants that make
up the material group. You may name the Material Group using 8 characters for the
name. Material groups for Steel, Concrete, and Aluminum already exist. When you
later create members or elements, you can specify the Material Group by name. If
you do not assign a Material Group, the Material Group called DEFM1 will be
assigned which has the material properties of steel.
4-5
Member Properties
The Member Property Group dialog allows you to create member properties either
from tables or by defining the prismatic properties (area, inertia, etc.), or by defining
pipe properties by specifying the inner and outer diameters or the wall thickness.
You may name the Member Property or Section Property Group using 8 characters
for the name. When you later create members, you can specify the Section Property
Group by name.
Joints Only
The location of the joints (nodes) in the model may be specified by the following
methods:
1.
Directly specifying the coordinates in the current active coordinate system
2.
Locating joints using a grid in a coordinate plane parallel to one of the global
planes
Transforming existing Construction Points (Pnts) to joints
4.
Calculating the coordinate location at the intersection of two lines
5.
Projecting the spacing along an axis onto an arbitrary line.
Place Members
Members may be created by selecting the joints which have already been created or
by specifying the location of the start of the member, the length of the member, and
the orientation of the member. The most common use of this feature is to select the
joints using the mouse. The material and section property groups may be specified
in this dialog. You may also have members automatically split (divided) at
intersections with other members.
Elements Only
Finite elements may be created by selecting the joints which have already been
created. The user will select the element type from a list of elements. See Volume
3, Section 2.3.4 of the GTSTRUDL Reference Manuals for a description of the
available finite elements. The most common use of this feature is to select the joints
using the mouse. The material property groups may be specified also. For twodimensional elements, the element thickness must be specified.
Members or Elements using Grid
You may define members or elements without previously selecting the location of
the joints on a grid. A grid may be created in any plane parallel to one of the global
planes. You may specify the grid bounds and spacing of the grid points. A grid snap
option is available. You may have members automatically split (divided) at
4-6
intersections with other members. You may also set member attributes such as
material and member property groups as well as the Beta angle. As the cursor is
moved in the Graphics Window, the coordinates in the plane are displayed in the
lower right hand corner of the screen.
Construction Points, Lines/Curves and Surfaces are used to create a framework
to automatically mesh a model of members and joints or elements and joints. Points
are created by inputting coordinate values, transforming joints to points or creating
points along an arc. You may create a 1D, 2D or 3D structure by defining point
coordinates, constructing lines or curves between the points, then using the lines as
boundaries for automatic meshing of member or element models. You may also use
the curves or lines to define a surface. The lines, curves or surfaces can then be used
for automatic meshing of member or element models.
Joints and Members using Construction &
Joints and Elements using Construction
These features allow you to create a structure using the framework generated by
Construction Points, Lines/Curves and Surfaces. You may create a 1D, 2D or 3D
structure of members and joints or a 2D or 3D structure of elements and joints.
Supports & Releases
You may specify joints which are supported by selecting the joints and then
indicating the forces and moments to be released or restrained. You may also rotate
the supports and specify elastic supports (i.e., springs).
Loads
This feature allows you to specify the loads on your structure. You may create an
independent loading by entering a load ID and description in the Independent Load
dialog. Once a loading is created, you may then add a self-weight load on members,
gravity load, line load, plane load, joint, member, and element loads to that loading
condition. You may also define dependent loadings, i.e., loading combinations.
Local Coordinate System
You may create a local coordinate system to be later used in the model creation.
Groups
You may create groups which are a collection of joints, members or elements. A
group may also be a combination of entities. The group may later by used in the List
Mode by referring to it preceded by the keyword GROUP, group, GRP or grp.
4-7
4.3
Edit item from Menu Bar
Edit
Joint Data ...
Member Data ...
Element Data ...
<
Loads
Split Members ...
Refine a Finite Element Mesh ...
<
IDs - Joints, Member, and Element ...

Move Model ...
Copy Model ...
Extrude Model ...
Scale Model ...
Local Coordinate System ...
Groups ...
Delete Model
Purpose
Model data generated by GTMenu, or generated in GT STRUDL prior to entering
GTMenu, can be changed using the Edit function. Note that many Edit functions
use options from the Mode Bar. The Mode Bar allows you to select model entities
individually or in groups. You may select a model item in the Graphics Window
with the mouse or input the ID of the item. The Mode Bar also includes such options
as line, plane, and volume selections or coordinate and global plane selections. See
Section 5.10 which describes the Mode Bar functions.
Example Problem
before proceeding, it is highly recommended that the user go

through at least Example 1 in Section 6.1.
4-8
Functions
Joint Data, Member Data, or Element Data
To edit structural entities, select either Joint Data, Member Data, or Element Data
from the Edit menu. The Edit Joint function allows you to edit or output (Inquire
function) data associated with structural joints such as joint IDs, coordinate values,
joint type or supports and releases. You may also draw joint supports. The Edit
Member function allows you to edit or output member data such as member IDs,
type, incidences, eccentricities, releases, beta angles or properties. Select the Edit
Element function to edit or output element IDs, type, properties, thickness or
incidences.
Loads
To edit the name or description of a loading, select Activate Independent Load.
An independent load must be activated before joint, member or element loads may
be edited.
After activating an independent load, joint, member or element loads may be edited
by selecting Edit Joint Loads, Edit Member Loads or Edit Element Loads. Joint,
member or element loads may be added, replaced or deleted.
To edit or create a dependent loading (Loading Combination), select Edit
Dependent Load. The name, description or components of an existing dependent
loading may be edited. Also, new dependent loadings may be created.
Split Members
Existing members may be split into uniformally or user specified variably spaced
members. Member properties, releases, eccentricities and loads are reassigned to the
newly created members. For instance, if a member has member releases at its start
and end and is split into 2 members, the existing member will have only a member
release at its start and the newly created member will have a member release at its
end.
Refine a Finite Element Mesh
All or a portion of an existing finite element mesh may be refined by either
subdividing existing elements or changing the elements to a higher order element.
When subdividing existing elements, you may choose to subdivide the elements
uniformly or non-uniformly. For instance, if you subdivide the elements uniformly
using two parts per side, each two-dimensional is uniformly subdivided along each
side into two parts creating four new elements. If you choose to subdivide the
elements non-uniformly, you can specify a different number of subdivisions along
each direction. For instance, if you specify two subdivisions along the local x-
4-9
direction and three subdivisions along the local y-direction for two-dimensional
elements, each element will be subdivided into six new elements.
To edit points and lines, select Construction Points, Lines/Curves, and Surfaces
from the Edit menu. You may list or edit coordinate values of construction points.
Edit Construction Lines/curves allows you to list the type and defining points of a
line or redefine the points that define the line or curve. Edit Surfaces allows you to
change the curves which define the surface. For Surfaces of Revolution, you may
also change the axis and angle of revolution. In addition, you may delete any
existing point, line, curve or surface.
IDs - Joint, Member, and Element
Select Joint, Member, and Element IDs (names) to locate duplicate IDs, change
IDs, resequence the integer portion of a group of IDs or rename the alpha prefix of
a group of IDs.
Move Model
Move Model allows you to relocate a portion or all of your model. You may move
the model by selecting a base joint and translate joint or by specifying the coordinate
increments directly.
Copy Model
Copy Model allows you to copy all or portions of your model. You may copy the
model by translating, aligning 3 points in your original model with 3 points where
you want the copy placed or by translating and rotating, and also by reflection about
a line of symmetry. This last option is often referred to as a mirror image.
Extrude Model
Extrude Model allows you to extrude a portion or all of your model. You may
extrude a planar framework composed of truss and frame members into a 3D
framework with members connecting the various planes or you may extrude selected
members into 2D finite elements. You may also extrude 2D finite elements into 3D
finite elements.
Scale Model
Scale Model allows you to scale the geometry of the model in the X, Y, and Z
directions. Different scale factors can be used for each direction. Loads and
properties are not scaled.
4 - 10
Local Coordinate System
You may edit previously defined local coordinate systems. The local systems may
be listed, renamed or deleted.
Groups
A group may be a collection of joints, members or elements. A group may also be
a combination of these entities. The group may later be used in the List Mode by
referring to it preceded by the keyword GROUP, group, GRP or grp.
The Edit Group function provides the ability to create, edit, delete or list a group.
This function is the same as the Create Group function described earlier.
Delete Model
Delete Model allows you to delete the entire current model from the database.
4 - 11
4.4
Display item from Menu Bar
Display
View ...
Model ...
Design Parameters ...
Loads ...
Moving Load ...
Rigid Bodies and SuperElements
<
Results
<
Default Settings
<
Query
Purpose
The Display function allows you to graphically display features of the current model.
Functions
View
View allows the user to easily limit the display of the model to a subset of the model.
Only those entities (joints, members and elements) displayed in the view are active.
Views are saved so the user may easily return to a particular view at any time by
simply clicking on a scrollable list of views.
Four standard views exist:
1.
ISOMETRIC
2.
XY Plane, along - Z axis
3.
XZ Plane, along - Y axis
4.
YZ Plane, along - X axis
In addition, the user may create additional views containing planes or a volume of
the model using global, or skewed planes defined by joints or a view containing the
current display. You may create up to 1,000 views.
The user may control the tolerance used in defining all views and also update the
view rotations.
Views may also be accessed from the Button Bar as further described in Section 5.9.
4 - 12
Model
The Display Model option allows you to highlight features of a model such as those
joints, members or elements contained in a given loading or property group. It also
enables you to display joint supports, member profiles or element incidence order.
Design Parameters
A number of steel Design Parameters may be output to the Graphics Window or in
a List Box. When output to the Graphics Window, the parameters may either be
shown with a symbol and a legend or the actual values of the parameters may be
drawn on the member. The following parameters are available for display or output:
KY, KZ, LY, LZ, Steel Grade, Code and UNCLF.
Loads
Select Loads to display loadings within the current model. You may display joint,
member, element loads, joint displacements and temperature loadings, based on the
current mode selection. The load components in the selected loading are displayed
graphically as vectors.
Moving Load
Select Moving Load to animate loads from selected loadings moving across the
structure. The moving loads may be displayed on the deformed shape of the
structure.
Rigid Bodies and SuperElements
The Master and Slave nodes of a Rigid Body may be output to a text box and also
labeled in the Graphics Window. The Master nodes may be labeled as Master and
the Slave nodes labeled as Slave. In addition, lines can be drawn which connect
the Master and all of the Slave nodes.
The boundary nodes and internal elements which comprise a Superelement may be
output to a text box and also labeled in the Graphics Window. The boundary nodes
may be labeled with BN and also color coded. The internal elements (members
and finite elements) may also be marked with an X.
Results
Select Results to graphically display the results from static, nonlinear, dynamic, and
elastic buckling analyses. Please see the next section, Section 4.5, for a more
detailed description. The Results item from the Menu Bar has identical functionality
as the Results function under Display.
4 - 13
Default Settings
The Default Settings dialogs for the following settings may be opened: Item color,
Attribute Colors, Font, Display Options, and Graphics Capture. These dialogs are
further described in Section 4.7.
Query
This selection will perform a Query of the database and pop-up a text output box
which will inform the user of the number of the following entities in the model:
Points, Lines, Surfaces, Local coordinate systems, Joints, Members, Elements,
Loads, Property Groups and Material Groups.
4 - 14
4.5
Results item from Menu Bar
Results
Deformed Structure ...
Joint Reactions ...
Mode Shape ...
Transient Response ...
Force/Moment Diagrams & Envelopes ...
Member End Forces ...
Plastic Hinge Percentage ...
Steel Code Check ...
Punching Shear ...
Finite Element Results
<
Moving Load ...
Purpose
The Results feature allows you to graphically display the results from static, nonlinear,
dynamic and elastic buckling analyses as well as steel code checks and offshore
punching shear checks.
Functions
Deformed Structure
Allows you to either display the deformed structure or overlay the deformed
structure on the undeformed structure for a static loading. You may animate the
results in order to better visualize the behavior of the model. You may also label the
joint displacements in the Graphics Window or in a list box. By default, the
deformed shape is drawn using only the joint displacements.
You may also choose to display the deformation between joints where a member is
connected as well as label the deformations at selected locations along the members
Joint Reactions
Allows you to display the support reactions as scaled vectors with and without values
labeled by the vectors. You may select the reaction components to be displayed.
You may also label the values in the Graphics Window or in a list box.
4 - 15
Mode Shape
Allows you to either display the mode shape or overlay the mode shape on the
undeformed structure for a dynamic or elastic buckling mode shape. You may
animate the results in order to better visualize the modal behavior.
Transient Response
Allows you to animate the transient response of the structure over time. You may
stop the animation at any time and then resume it. You may also label the transient
displacements in the Graphics Window or in a list box.
Force/Moment Diagrams and Envelopes
This feature allows you to overlay force and moment diagrams and envelopes on all
or a selective portion of the model. You may also label the values in the Graphics
Window or in a list box.
Member End Forces
Allows you to label the forces and moments at the start and/or end of members. You
may label the values in the Graphics Window or in a list box. Options in the dialog
allow you to select the start and/or end of the member and the force and moment
components to label.
Plastic Hinge Percentage
Allows you to label the plastic hinge status at the start and/or end of members with
plastic hinges. You may label the percentage of plastic hinge formation for all
plastic hinges or you may label hinge formation greater than or lesser than a
specified value.
Steel Code Check
Allows you to display various steel code results:
Pass/Fail Status - members which passed or failed the code check will be color
coded. Members which were not checked will also be color coded.
Actual/Allowable Stress Ratios - the actual/allowable stress ratios will be

labeled on the screen. If a monochrome display is selected (default), the ratios
will be displayed on the members and the members pass/fail status will be color
coded. If a color coded display is selected, the ratios will be displayed in
different colors with a color legend. You may also select a range limit for the
ratios so you display only those ratios greater or lower than a limit.
Controlling Stress Code Provisions - the actual/allowable stress ratio, the

pass/fail status, and the controlling stress provision will be displayed. You may
also select a range limit for the ratios so you display only those ratios greater or
lower than a limit.
4 - 16
C
Actual/Allowable KL/r Ratios - the actual/allowable KL/r ratios will be labeled

on the screen. If a monochrome display is selected (default), the ratios will be
displayed on the members and the members pass/fail status will be color coded.
If a color coded display is selected, the ratios will be displayed in different colors
with a color legend. You may also select a range limit for the ratios so you
display only those ratios greater or lower than a limit.
Controlling KL/r Code Provisions - the actual/allowable KL/r ratio, the

pass/fail status, and the controlling KL/r provision will be displayed. You may
lower than a limit.
Punching Shear
Allows you to display various offshore design punching shear results:
Pass/Fail Status - members which passed or failed the punching shear code
check will be color coded. Members which were not checked will also be color
coded.
Actual/Allowable Stress Ratios - the actual/allowable stress ratios will be

labeled on the screen. If a monochrome display is selected (default), the ratios
will be displayed on the members and the members pass/fail status will be color
coded. If a color coded display is selected, the ratios will be displayed in
different colors with a color legend. You may also select a range limit for the
ratios so you display only those ratios greater or lower than a limit.
Controlling Stress Code Provisions - the actual/allowable stress ratio, the

pass/fail status, and the controlling stress provision will be displayed. You may
lower than a limit.
Actual/Allowable Geometric Ratios - the actual/allowable Geometric ratios

(API Equation 4.1-1) will be labeled on the screen. If a monochrome display is
selected (default), the ratios will be displayed on the members and the members
pass/fail status will be color coded. If a color coded display is selected, the ratios
will be displayed in different colors with a color legend. You may also select a
range limit for the ratios so you display only those ratios greater or lower than
a limit.
Controlling Geometric Code Provisions - the actual/allowable Geometric ratio,

the pass/fail status, and the controlling Geometric provision will be displayed.
You may also select a range limit for the ratios so you display only those ratios
greater or lower than a limit.
4 - 17
Finite Element Results
Allows you to contour stresses, strains, displacements, Von Mises Criterion, and
energy and stress error estimates. The contours can be drawn with solid fill or
contour lines. The contour values at a joint can be labeled in the Graphics Window
or in a list box.
You may also display scaled vector plots of the principal stresses, strains and
resultants for 2D elements. The vector plots may be color coded or monochromatic.
The value associated with the vector and the angle of the vector with respect to the
planar element system at a joint can be labeled in the Graphics Window or in a list
box.
Moving Load
Select Moving Load to animate loads from selected loadings moving across the
structure. The moving loads may be displayed on the deformed shape of the
structure.
4 - 18
4.6
Check item from Menu Bar
Check
Duplicates & Floating Joints ...
Model ...
Query
Purpose
The Check feature provides extensive verification of models generated within GTMenu
and models generated in GTSTRUDL outside of GTMenu.
Function
Duplicates and Floating Joints
Allows you to eliminate duplicate joints, members, and elements. You may also
eliminate floating joints which have no incident members or elements.
Model
Check Model verifies the model by performing checks on items such as distortions
and aspect ratios of planar elements. You may also request computation of weight,
center of gravity or summation of applied loads.
Query
This selection will perform a Query of the database and pop-up a text output box
which will inform the user of the number of the following entities in the model:
Points, Lines, Surfaces, Local coordinate systems, Joints, Members, Elements,
Loads, Property Groups and Material Groups.
4 - 19
4.7
Options item from Menu Bar
Options
Default Settings
<
Item Colors
ID naming ...
Attribute Colors
Redraw Solid ...
Font
Model Display ..
Display Options
Set Arrow Keys ...
Graphics Capture
Purpose
The Options feature allows you to change Default Settings of GTMenu, control the
names (IDs) to be used for joints, members and elements, specify options to be used by
the Redraw Solid button on the Button Bar and to set the shrink factor, as well as specify
settings to be used by the Arrow Keys on the keyboard.
Function
Default Settings
Item Colors
Allows you to change the default colors of model entities. You can change the
display and label colors of points, lines, surfaces, joints, members, member
eccentricities, elements, the local and global coordinate system axes and the
graphics background. You may also change the background color and highlight
sequence colors which are used to display data such as loads and supports.
The Item Colors will be written to the Registry so the next time GTMenu is
started, the same colors will be used. In addition, the changed colors will be
saved when the Save Model function is used under the File item from the Menu
Bar.
To change a color assigned to an entity or a highlight color, select the entity to be
changed, and then select the color to be used by clicking on it from the palette of 64
colors. The new color will appear next to the selected entity or highlight color.
Select Preview Wireframe to see the effect of the change in the Graphics Window
for entities such as joints, members, elements, etc.
Select Reset Usage to reset the colors to the standard colors for the entities such as
joints, members, elements, etc.
Select Reset Highlight to reset the highlight colors to the standard values.
4 - 20
Select Undo and Set Black BG or Undo and Set White BG to reset the colors to the
initial values upon entering GTMenu with a black or white background (BG) in the
Graphics Window.
Select Done to close the Item Colors dialog.
You must also edit the color palette by selecting the Modify ColorMap at the top of
the dialog.
4 - 21
The Default Item Colors dialog is shown below:
4 - 22
Attribute Colors
Allows you to change the colors used for the following attributes:
Redraw solid three-color option, Start and End Member Releases,
Deselection Mark, Deformed Structure, Force/Moment Diagrams and
Envelopes, Limit lines, and Section lines.
The Attribute Colors will be written to the Registry so the next time GTMenu is
started, the same colors will be used. In addition, the changed colors will be
saved when the Save Model function is used under the File item from the Menu
Bar.
To change a color assigned to an attribute, select the attribute and then select the
color to be used by clicking on the color in the 64 color palette.
Select Preview Solid to see the effect of the changes in the Graphics Window for
Redraw Solids three-color option.
Select Undo and Set Black BG or Undo and Set White BG to reset the attribute
colors to the values upon entering GTMenu with a black or white background
(BG) respectively in the Graphics Window.
Select Reset Attribute Colors to reset to the attribute colors to the standard
values.
4 - 23
The Attribute Colors dialog is shown below:
4 - 24
Font
Allows you to set the font size used for the
graphical display.
Display Options
Allows you to set a number of Display options.
If the Automatic Redraw is set to On, the default, the Graphics Window will be refreshed
and rescaled each time a new joint or construction point is added.
The Arrow Key Function Display option allows
you to display the current functionality of the
keyboard arrow keys. If set to On, the arrow
key functionality is displayed at the top of the
Graphics Window to the right of the Units
display.
The Plane Tolerance specifies the tolerance
used when selecting a plane.
The Threshold option allows you to specify a
threshold number of elements. If this threshold
is exceeded, dynamic rotation using the cursor
will rotate an outline representation of the
structure.
The Reset option values button will reset
various options stored in the Registry to their
default values.
Graphics Capture
Allows you to perform the Print and Print Preview and Edit functions under the File
item from the Menu Bar and also activates the Print button from the Button Bar. By
default, the Capture option is On. It must be set to On for the Print button to work
and for the Print and Print Preview options under the File pull-down to work. If
Capture is set to Off and either the Print button or the Print or Print Preview options
is selected, you will be prompted to turn on Capture and redraw the screen.
4 - 25
ID Naming
Allows you to specify an alphanumeric (alpha)
prefix and starting integer to be used for the
next joint, member and element IDs (names)
which are created. You may change the Alpha
Prefix or Starting Integer for the ID. The
default (starting) Alpha Prefix is blank and the
default Starting Integer for the IDs for both
joints and members/elements is 1. If a model is
generated in Command Mode and translated
into GTMenu, the Alpha Prefix is blank and the
Starting Integer is set to the highest existing
integer plus one (1) for joints and members/
elements. If a model is Restored, the Starting
Integer is set to the highest existing integer
names plus (1) for joints and members/elements
when the model was saved.
Redraw Solid
Allows you to change how members with pipe,
steel table, and member dimension properties
are drawn when using the Redraw Solid button
from the Button Bar. The options in the dialog
are shown below with the defaults indicated.
If the user wishes to have members with table
and pipe properties drawn as wire frames,
select Draw as wire frame and the members
will be drawn with single lines.
The color assigned to the member is used by
default to draw the solid shapes. Three colors
may be used also as defined earlier in the
Attribute Color dialog to solid fill the thickness, flange, and web respectively. In addition,
you may use the color assigned to the Property
Group to draw the solid shapes and have a
legend also displayed.
4 - 26
If more than two members intersect at a joint, the ends of the members are not filled
in order to reduce the time to perform Redraw Solid. The user may change this by
selecting Yes under solid fill ends of members.
Model Display
Allows you to set a shrink factor to be used
for members and finite elements. If a shrink
factor less than one is used, the members and
elements are shrunk away from the joints.
You may also set the Mesh Boundary Outline.
This option draws edges that have only one
incident element. Therefore, it outlines any
holes and the element surface. The Add
Interior Option is useful for models which
contain 3D solid elements. If selected, it will
draw edges that are common to three or five
or more elements.
Set Arrow Keys

You may set the arrow keys to rotate, zoom or pan modes. You may also set the
arrow keys by selecting R or r from the keyboard for rotate mode, Z or z from the
keyboard for zoom mode or P or p from the keyboard for pan mode.
Zoom
Press the 'up' arrow to increase magnification about the center of the screen.
Press the 'down' arrow key to decrease magnification. The 'right' arrow key
increases magnification about the cursor location, while the 'left' arrow key
decreases magnification about the cursor location. The multiplier indicates
the amount the structure is increased (up arrow key) or decreased (down
arrow key) on the screen.
The default multiplier is 0.02 indicating that the structure will be increased
1.02 times each press of the up arrow key or decreased in size 0.98 times
each press of the down arrow key.
4 - 27
Pan
The 'up' and 'down' arrow keys move the field of view up or down. The
'right' and 'left' arrow keys move the field of view left or right respectively
on the screen. The multiplier indicates the fraction of the structure used to
shift (pan) the structure on the screen. The default multiplier is 0.02
indicating that the structure will be shifted 0.02 times its size each time one
of the arrow keys is pressed.
Rotate
The 'up' and 'down' arrow keys rotate the structure about the horizontal
screen axis. The right and left arrow keys rotate the structure about the
vertical screen axis. The default angular increment for each press of the
arrow keys is 2 degrees but may be changed as shown in the dialog below.
4 - 28
4.8
Units item from Menu Bar
Units
Length
<
Force
<
Angle
<
Temperature <
<
Time
Purpose
The Units feature enables you to specify the current units of Length, Force, Angle,
Temperature, and Time. The default units are inches, pounds, degrees, degrees
Fahrenheit, and seconds.
Length Unit Options:
Inches (default), Feet, Meters, Centimeters, Millimeters, Mils.
Force Unit Options:
Pounds (default), Kips, Tons, Mtons, (metric tons), Kilograms, Newtons, Kilonewtons, Meganewtons.
Angle Unit Options:
Degrees (default), Radians, Cycles.
Temperature Unit Options:
Fahrenheit (default), Centigrade (Celsius).
Time Unit Options:
Seconds (default), Minutes, Hours.
As units are changed, the currently active units are shown at the top of the
Graphics Window. Units specified using commands or in the GTSTRUDL
Output window are retained upon entering GTMenu, except for the angular unit.
If the angular unit is radians in the GTSTRUDL Output Window, GTMenu will
start with the angular unit set to degrees.
4 - 29
4.9
Coordinate System item from Menu Bar
Coordinate System
Global
Local
Cartesian
Cylindrical X ( r, th, lx)
Cylindrical Y ( r, th, ly)
Cylindrical Z ( r, th, lz)
Spherical (r, ph, ty)
Active Coordinate System
Purpose
The Coordinate System features enable you to change from the default, Cartesian system
to a Cylindrical or Spherical coordinate system. In addition, you may also switch to a
Local Coordinate system which was created using the Create Local Coordinate System
option. In some instances, a local coordinate system is extremely useful when specifying
loads or joint coordinates.
Function
Global
the default system
Local
brings up a pop-up which allows you to select from a

list of Local systems previously defined under the
Create Local Coordinate System dialog.
Cartesian
default system. Input is entered as X, Y, and Z values.
Cylindrical X -
input is entered as R, TH, and LX.
Cylindrical Y -
input is entered as R, TH, and LY. An example is

shown in the figure below.
Cylindrical Z -
input is entered as R, TH, and LZ.
Spherical
input is entered as R, PY, and TY values as shown in

the figure below.
4 - 30
Cartesian
Cylindrical Y
Spherical
Active Coordinate System

-
outputs the active coordinate and its type in the

Message Area.
4 - 31
4.10
Utilities item from Menu Bar
Utilities
Calculator ...
Edit ColorMap ...
Purpose
The Utilities menu allows you to activate special utility functions such as displaying
an on-line calculator or editing the default ColorMap.
Functions
Calculator
To display an on-line calculator, select the Calculator option under Utilities.
Edit ColorMap
GTMenu has a palette of 64 colors that you may assign to the display or labels for
points, lines, joints, members, elements, local and global coordinate systems, and
the graphics background, and other display attributes. See Default Settings - Item
and Attribute Colors in Section 4.7.
The Edit ColorMap feature allows you to change any of the 64 colors by
modifying the RGB (red, green, blue) values of a color from the palette.
4 - 32
4.11
Help item from Menu Bar
Help
HotKey Help
GTMenu Guide (pdf document)
Query
Purpose
Help allows you to obtain information from HotKey Help, a list of help topics or from
this Release Guide.
If you select HotKey Help, text is displayed that documents the HotKeys as presented
in Chapter 3. The Query option will pop-up a box with information regarding the
current model such as the number of points, lines, surfaces, ...., etc. If you choose
GTMenu Guide, Adobes Acrobat Reader will bring up this document.
Selective Help is also displayed for a dialog feature by right-clicking on that feature.
This feature is not currently available for all dialogs or features.
5-1
5.
Button Bar
The Button Bar, located underneath the Menu Bar, contains some of the most
frequently used functions. The following sections describe the functions of the Button Bar
items.
5.1
Print item from the Button Bar
Purpose
Print enables you to print the Graphics Window to the Windows default printer. The
Graphics Capture option must be set to On (the default) under Options from the
Menu Bar (see Section 4.7).
5-2
5.2
Inquire Item from the Button Bar
Select All Types

Select Joints Only
Select Members Only
Select Elements Only
Select All Load Types
Select Joint Loads Only
Select Member Loads Only
Select Element Loads Only
Query
Display Current Load Name
Purpose
Inquire allows you to obtain information about joints, members, elements, and
loadings. After clicking on the Inquire button and clicking on one of the choices,
you may then click a joint, member or element in the Graphics Window and have
information output in an Inquire Output dialog. An example of the Inquire Output
dialog obtained by selecting two joints (Joints 11 and 16) is shown below:
5-3
You may activate the Edit function for any of the information in the Inquire List
Output dialog by clicking on the line you wish to Edit and then clicking on the Edit
button. You may also double click on the line to Edit. For example, if the
coordinates of Joint 16 are to be changed, click on the line in the Inquire Output
dialog containing the coordinates (0.00, 30.00, 0.00) and then click on the Edit
button at the bottom of the dialog as shown below:
Click on Respecify Coordinates and then enter the new coordinates in the Edit
Coordinates dialog shown below and then click on the Done button:
You may also perform an Inquire for joints, members, and elements by simply right
clicking on a joint, member or element in the Graphics Window.
5-4
An example of output obtained by clicking on the Inquire button, clicking on Select
Member Loads only and then clicking on a loaded member is shown below:
You may Edit any load in the Inquire Output dialog by clicking on the line you wish
to Edit and then clicking on the Edit button. You may also double click on the line
to Edit. For example, if the load on member 24 is to be changed, double click on the
line starting with the word Linear and the following pop-up will appear.
You may perform one of the following functions:

Delete All with Same Value & Location
deletes the loading on all other members that are the same as the
selected loading in the current loading.
Delete Selected Load Only
deletes only the load selected.
Change All with Same Value & Location
change the loading on all members that are the same in the current
loading.
5-5
Change Selected and Specify Additional Entities to Receive the Load
change the Selected Load Component in this Load Case for this
Member and for Additional specified Members.
Change Selected Load Only
only change the loading selected.
For this example, select Change All with Same Value & Location. The Edit Member
Load Values dialog then pops up. Enter -1.0 and -1.0 for the load values as shown below:
5-6
Click on Done and the changed loading is displayed on the structure and in the
Inquire Output dialog as shown below:
5-7
5.3
Active Independent Static Loading item from the Button Bar
The current active independent static loading is displayed on the Button Bar as
shown above. Upon entering GTMenu, all existing static loadings are made active
and the Active Load shows the first static loading ID (name).
Clicking on the
will display the entire list of independent static loadings as
shown in the example below:
Single or double clicking on one of the loads in the drop down list as shown above
will cause that loading to be shown as the active load. This is useful later when you
wish to Inquire about loadings, Add or Edit an existing loading or display results.
5-8
5.4
Display Load item from the Button
Bar
Purpose
Upon clicking on the Display
Load button on the Button Bar, the
dialog shown to the right will
appear. This dialog will allow you
to specify various formatting and
display options for the loading
display.
Description of Options:
Load Scale
Allows you to give a scaling factor
for the display of the loading
vectors. You specify a scale
factor in the range of 0.1 to 5.0.
System
Select the coordinate system in
which the loading values are to be
displayed. The default is the
system in which the loading
values were input (Input System).
5-9
Format
By default, the loading vectors and the values of the loading will be displayed.
Alternatively, you may display only the loading vectors.
Range
This option allows you to set the magnitude range of all loadings to be displayed.
Any load value input with this option will be interpreted in the currently active units
for the type of loading selected for display.
The default is to display all the loadings.
You may also specify a fractional value in the range of 0.0 to 1.0. Only loadings
with an absolute value greater than or equal to (1-n) x VMAX will be displayed,
where n is the fractional value that you gave and VMAX is the absolute value of the
maximum loading for the type chosen.
You may also specify an absolute value limit and then only those loads greater than
this limit will be displayed.
Type
This option allows you to specify the type of loading to be displayed.
The default is to display all joint, member, and element loads. You may select to
have only of these types of loads displayed. Furthermore, you may select to only
display concentrated or distributed member loads.
Load Type
This option allows you to specify which loading type to be displayed.
The default is to display all forces and moments. You may also select to display
joint displacement, member distortion, or temperature loads.
The Select Load button allows you to specify the loading to be displayed.
The Draw Load Arrows button produces the loading display in the Graphics
Window.
5 - 10
5.5
Display Model item on the Button Bar
Purpose
Upon selecting the Display Model
button on the Button Bar, the
dialog shown to the right will
to select various model attributes
to be displayed in the Graphics
Window.
Functions and Options:
Shrink Factor
You can specify a shrinkage factor
in the range of 0.1 - 1.0 which will
shrink the members and finite
elements away from the joints by
scaling the members and elements
using the shrinkage factor. The
members and elements will be
shrunk the next time that the Redraw or Redraw Solid buttons are
selected.
You may also check the Mesh
Boundary Outline box which will
display edges which have only one
incident element. This option is
useful if you wish to display an
interior hole in a finite element
mesh. The Mesh Boundary Outline
option has a sub-option called Add
Interior Detail which will display
interior edges which have three,
five or more elements which is useful when displaying meshes containing three-dimensional (solid)
finite elements.
5 - 11
Generate Display List
This option will allow you to specify a list of members and elements to be displayed.
By default, all elements in the current view will be displayed. Once a display list is
created, it is maintained until a new display list is created.
Mark Loads
You may have the joints, members, and/or elements marked which contain loads in
the selected independent load. The joints, members, and/or elements will have a
symbol placed on them with a legend shown in the lower right corner of the Graphics
Window. The values of the loads will not be displayed. To display the actual
loading directions and values, use the Display Load button described in Section 5.4.
Mark Properties
You may have members and elements marked with a symbol which have a particular
cross section property or material property group. By default, all property groups
will be used and a legend will appear in the lower right corner of the Graphics
Window Area which will correspond to the members or elements marked. If the All
types box is not checked, a dialog will appear which will allow you to select a
particular property group to be marked.
Mark Joint
You may mark the joint support status with this option. By default, all supported
joints will be marked with a symbol with a symbol legend shown in the lower right
corner of the Graphics Window. If the All types box is not checked, a dialog will
appear which will allow you to select a particular support status to be marked on the
screen. Alternatively, you may have the support status sent to a List Box instead of
the Graphics Window by checking the in List Box option.
Draw Member
This option will display information related to member releases, section names, local
axes, the members cross section orientation (Beta angle), members profile,
members length and selected members steel design parameters. In addition, the
member may be colored based on the property group.
The Member Releases option will label the Member Releases at the start and end of
the member in the Graphics Window. The releases at the start will be indicated on
one side of the member and the releases at the end will be indicated on the other side
of the member.
The Section Names option will label the member profiles in the Graphics Window.
If a members properties are not from a table or a pipe section, the member section
name will be indicated as PRIS (prismatic).
The Local Axes option will display the members local axes on the member in the
Graphics Window, and also a local axis legend. The local X-axis will have an
arrowhead and be oriented along the length of the member while the local Y- and Z-
5 - 12
axes will be perpendicular to the member with the local Z-axis having an arrowhead
and the local Y-axis drawn as a line without an arrowhead.
The Beta/Profiles option will display the member profile and local Y- and Z-axes on
the member. If a member has prismatic properties, a wide flange profile is drawn by
default.
The Color by Section option will display a Redraw Solid image of the model with
each member property group displayed using a different color (up to 64 different
colors). The property legend may be displayed either in a scrollable text box or in
the Graphics Window.
The Length option will display the members length on one side of the member.
The KY and KZ options will display the effective length factor for the member on one
side of the member. These values must be specified using the PARAMETERS
command or the Steel Design Parameters pull-down in the GTSTRUDL Output
Window.
The LY and LZ options will display the members effective lengths for the member
on one side of the member. These values must be specified using the PARAMETERS command or the Steel Design Parameters pull-down in the GTSTRUDL
Output Window.
Draw Element
This option will display information related to two-dimensional finite element
incidence order, planar coordinate system, and element thicknesses.
The Incidence Order option will display the order of the element incidences on the
element which will be drawn as a curved line with an arrowhead indicating the
incidences were specified in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner.
The Planar Axes option will display the Planar Coordinate System on the element.
The Planar X and Y axes are drawn in the plane of the element and the Planar Z axis
is drawn normal to the element. The Planar X and Z axes have arrowheads while the
Planar Y axis is shown as a line without an arrowhead.
The Color by Thickness option will color code each two-dimensional element with
the color based on the thickness of the element.
5 - 13
5.6
Annotate Model item on the Button Bar
Purpose
Upon selecting the Annotate
Model button on the Button Bar,
the dialog shown to the right will
to select various model attributes
to be annotated or labeled in the
Graphics Window. The annotation resulting from the use of this
feature is not stored permanently
and will disappear the next time
the screen is refreshed or redrawn.
Options:
Dimensions
You may place dimensions on the
display using this option. You can
dimension between any two joints
or any two points. After selecting
two points or joints, you must hit
a location in the Graphics Window
where you want the dimension
text centered. A dimension line
will be drawn parallel to the two
joints or points and through the
center of the dimension text.
Coordinates
This option will allow you to place the coordinates of joints or points in the Graphics
Window. After selecting a joint or point, you must hit a location in the Graphics
Window where you want the coordinates in the currently active units and coordinate
system displayed. A box will appear to assist you in the placement of the coordinate
values.
Names
This option will allow you to label joint, member, and element names in the Graphics
Window.
5 - 14
Notes
You may place a note or comment in the Graphics Window using this option. Enter
the comment in the box titled Comment text and then either select the Display
Comment button or the Display Comment with Pointer button. The Display
Comment button will allow you to place the comment on the screen with a box to
assist you in the placement of the comment. The Display Comment with Pointer
button will allow you to not only place the comment on the screen but also allow you
to draw an line with an arrowhead to another location on the screen.
5 - 15
5.7
Label Settings item on the Button Bar
Purpose
Upon selecting the Label Settings
button on the Button Bar, the
dialog shown on the right will
to control the graphical display of
the model, model labels, and
structural attributes. The settings
resulting from the use of this
feature are stored permanently and
will remain the next time the
screen is refreshed or redrawn.
Options:
Display & Label Entities
This option controls the display of
the model and model labels. You
may selectively turn on or off the
display of various model entities
such as joints, members, and
elements as well as construction
points, lines, and surfaces and the
display of the coordinate system.
If Display is turned off for an
entity, the Label is automatically
turned off also.
The New option may be used to
Display and/or Label only new
items such as joint, member,
elements, etc. while they are being created. Once stored in the database, the items
are no longer new and will not be displayed and/or labeled when the Graphics
Window is refreshed or Redrawn.
The List option allows you to specify a list of items to be displayed and/or labeled.
5 - 16
Label Structural Attributes
This option will allow you to have supports, loading, and member release data
always displayed in the Graphics Window. This data is not temporary.
By checking the Support Status check box, each support will be labeled with a
symbol. By default, the legend for the symbols will be shown in the Graphics
Window. Alternatively, you may have the legend for the symbols displayed in a
scrollable pop-up List Box. This feature is particularly useful when you have a large
number of different support conditions such as you may have with an elastic
foundation with different spring values at various joints.
By checking the Independent Active Load check box, the loads for the currently
active independent loading will be displayed on the screen.
By checking the Member Releases check box, existing member releases will be
labeled at the start and end of each member with member releases.
Member & Element
This option will allow you to specify a shrinkage factor in the range of 0.1 - 1.0
which will shrink the members and finite elements away from the joints by scaling
the members and elements using the shrinkage factor. The members and elements
will be shrunk the next time that the Redraw or Redraw Solid buttons are selected.
You may also check the Mesh Boundary Outline box which will display edges which
have only one incident element. This option is useful if you wish to display an
interior hole in a finite element mesh. The Mesh Boundary Outline option has a suboption called Add Interior Detail which will display interior edges which have three,
five or more elements which is useful when displaying meshes containing threedimensional (solid) finite elements.
5 - 17
5.8
Zoom item on the Button Bar
Full Screen
Zoom into a Window
Pan Sideways
Zoom Previous (Back)
Zoom Forward
Set Arrow Keys...
Purpose
Zoom item allows you to enlarge or shrink a section of the graphics display. You
may also restore the display to full screen or pan across the structure.
Functions
Full Screen
Full Screen allows you to restore the
model to the full size of the screen.
Zoom into a Window
Zoom into a Window allows you to
shrink the model to the 'fenced' area
drawn with the graphics cursor. Click
the left mouse button to anchor the
corner of the fenced area and then move
the mouse to a diagonally opposite
corner. Click the left mouse button
again. The fenced area will be shown
on the screen. To return to the Full
Screen, select the Zoom button again and
select Full Screen.
Pan Sideways
Pan Sideways allows you to pan across the model.
Zoom Previous (Back)
This will allow you to go back to the previous view. You may back up as many
views as you have made by either using the Zoom button or the View button.
The number of Back displays is output in the Message Area.
Note that the B hot key may be used to go back among the views.
5 - 18
Zoom Forward
This will allow you to go forward after having gone back. The number of
Forward displays is output in the Message Area.
Note that the F hot key may be used to go forward among the views.
Set Arrow Keys
You may set the arrow keys to rotate, zoom or pan modes. You may also set the
arrow keys by selecting R or r from the keyboard for rotate mode, Z or z from
the keyboard for zoom mode or P or p from the keyboard for pan mode.
Zoom
Press the 'up' arrow to increase magnification about the center of the screen.
Press the 'down' arrow key to decrease magnification. The 'right' arrow key
increases magnification about the cursor location, while the 'left' arrow key
decreases magnification about the cursor location. The multiplier indicates
the amount the structure is increased (up arrow key) or decreased (down
arrow key) on the screen.
The default multiplier is 0.02 indicating that the structure will be increased
1.02 times each press of the up arrow key or decreased in size 0.98 times
each press of the down arrow key.
Pan
The 'up' and 'down' arrow keys move the field of view up or down. The
'right' and 'left' arrow keys move the field of view left or right respectively
on the screen. The multiplier indicates the fraction of the structure used to
shift (pan) the structure on the screen. The default multiplier is 0.02
indicating that the structure will be shifted 0.02 times its size each time one
of the arrow keys is pressed.
5 - 19
Rotate
The 'up' and 'down' arrow keys rotate the structure about the horizontal
screen axis. The right and left arrow keys rotate the structure about the
vertical screen axis. The default angular increment for each press of the
arrow keys is 2 degrees but may be changed as shown in the dialog below.
5 - 20
5.9
Rotate Item on the Button Bar
Rotate Menu ...

Dynamic Rotation using Cursor
Dynamic Tumbling using Cursor
Previous Rotation (Back)
Next Rotation (Forward)
Set Arrow Keys ...
Purpose
The Rotate function allows you to
rotate the model. You may select
and set the function of the keyboard
arrow keys. You may select to rotate
the model using a Rotate dialog,
dynamically rotate the model using
the cursor and continuously rotate
(tumble) the structure.
Function
Rotate Menu
Specifying a global rotation
defines the view in terms of
rotation about the global z, y, x
axes. Starting position is with
the global and screen axes
aligned.
Specifying a screen rotation rotates the model about the screen z, y, x axes from
the current view.
To specify an eye position, you may enter the coordinates of the point representing
your eye position in the global coordinate system.
As changes are made, the axes are rotated in the Rotate Axis area at the top of the
Rotate dialog. To update the Graphics Window, select the Redraw button at the
bottom of the dialog.
5 - 21
Dynamic Rotation Using Cursor
You may dynamically rotate the structure using the mouse. Hold down the left
mouse button and move the cursor on the screen. Moving the cursor up or down
on the screen rotates the structure about the horizontal screen axis. Moving the
cursor left or right rotates the structure about the vertical screen axis. Release the
left mouse button when the desired rotation has been achieved. The rotation
sensitivity to cursor movement may be changed by selecting Set Arrow Keys
under the Rotate Button and changing the increment which is set to 2 degrees by
default.
Dynamic Tumbling Using Cursor
You may have the structure continuously rotate (tumble) on the screen. Click in
the Graphics Window to specify a reference point. Moving the cursor up or
down from the reference point tumbles the structure about the horizontal screen
axis. Moving the cursor left or right tumbles the structure about the vertical
screen axis. The farther you move the cursor away from the reference point will
increase the rate of tumbling. The tumbling is stopped by pressing the right
mouse button. The sensitivity of the tumbling to cursor movement from the
reference point may be changed under Set Arrow Keys under the Rotate button.
The default increment is 2 degrees. Specifying a smaller increment will slow
down the tumbling as the cursor is moved way from the reference point.
Previous Rotation and Next Rotation
The same as Zoom Back and Zoom Forward described in Section 5.8. Basically
you can use these functions to go Back to a previous view or Forward after
having gone Back.
Set Arrow Keys
This item is described in Section 5.8.
5 - 22
5.10
Redraw Item from the Button Bar
Purpose
Redraw updates and refreshes the Graphics Window display. As new joints and
construction points are added to the model, the Graphics Window display will be
automatically refreshed and rescaled by default. To turn this option off, see Section
4.7.
5 - 23
5.11
Redraw Solid item on the Button Bar
Purpose
Redraw Solid redraws the display from back to front with stored finite elements and
members with table or pipe properties or member with properties given by Member
Dimensions shown as color-filled solids. The default color for the color fill of
elements is the same as used to draw the border around the elements when they are
displayed as lines. The color may be changed under Default Settings and color as
discussed in Section 4.7. The table shapes that may be drawn as color-filled solids
are wide flanges, channels, tees, round bars, square and rectangular bars, pipes,
tubes, single angles and double angles. The Member Dimension shapes that may be
drawn as color-filled solids are circles, rectangles, tees, RL and LL cross-sections
which have been specified using the MEMBER DIMENSION command (see Section
2.5, Volume 4, User Reference Manual). See Section 4.7 of this document for
Redraw Solid options.
5 - 24
5.12
View Item on the Button Bar
Purpose:
The View option allows you to display only a
subset of the model.
Function
Views allow the user to easily limit the display
of the model to a subset of the model. Only
those entities (joints, members, and elements)
displayed in the view are active. Views are
saved so the user may easily return to a particular
view at any time by simply clicking on a scrollable list of views.
Four standard views exist:
1.
ISOMETRIC
2.
XY Plane, along - Z axis
3.
XZ Plane, along - Y axis
4.
YZ Plane, along - X axis
The standard coordinate system in GTSTRUDL

has the global Y axis as the vertical axis. If you
prefer to have the global Z axis as the vertical
axis, check the following box:
Z-up Views 1, 3 & 4
near the top of the View dialog. If this box is
checked, the global Z axis will be vertical for
Views 1, 3 & 4.
5 - 25
In addition, the user may create additional views to define a plane or a volume in the
model using Global Planes or Planes Defined by Joints or the Current Display. You
may create up to 1,000 views.
The user may control the tolerance used in defining all views and also update the
view rotations. The default tolerance used when defining the view plane is +/- 1.0
inch (2.54 cm).
Each time GTMenu is executed, a file is read to initialize the defined views. The
default name of this file is GTMenu_Views.txt, in the current Working Directory.
A user defined view file may be opened with the Read option.
After a view is changed, a file is automatically written to save the view definitions.
The default name of this file is again GTMenu_View.txt, in the current Working
Directory. This file name and location may be changed with the Write button. The
Write button also saves the specified view initialization file in the current Working
Directory.
5 - 26
5.13
Mode Bar at the Bottom of the Graphics Screen

The Mode Bar is located at the bottom of the graphics window as shown above.
Purpose:
The Mode function allows you to choose a method for selecting items within the
model.
The Mode Bar establishes the method for selecting entities such as joints, members
and elements in the model. When a new menu or menu option is selected, the default
mode options for the menu will have a dot inside the circle located to the left of the
mode option. Available mode options will be visible while unavailable mode options
will be gray and barely visible. In the Mode Bar shown at the top of the page, the
Point option has been grayed out indicating that Points are unavailable for use in the
current dialog.
A description of the mode options is listed follows:
Hit
You may select structural entities one at a time with the cursor. Hit
mode is terminated by selecting the right mouse button or by selecting
a new function in a dialog menu.
List
You may select structural entities by entering their IDs by keyboard

input into a dialog's text input box.
All
All items in the current model are selected for processing.
Line
You may select two joints to define a line. All structural entities
corresponding to the function you are currently using that lie on the line
between the two selected joints are marked on the display and included
in the group.
Plane
You are prompted to define a plane with 3 points in space. When the
selection is complete, a rectangular fence is drawn in the selected
plane, encompassing all structural entities corresponding to the current
function.
Volume -
You are prompted to provide two parallel planes between which your
desired volume lies. When the selection is complete, a cubic fence is
drawn to represent the volume and encompasses all structural entities
corresponding to the current function.
5 - 27
Bound
Bounded Plane - Plane and Bound selected
- A bounded plane is described by a rectangle in the plane formed by the
3 points you give and is defined as follows: The line from point 1 to
point 2 defines one side of the rectangle. The second side is
constructed from point 1 in the direction of point 3 and its length is the
normal distance from side 1 to point 3.
Bounded Volume - Volume and Bound selected
- A bounded volume is defined by connecting the first plane to the
second parallel plane by 4 normals erected at the 4 corners of the
bounded rectangle in the first plane.
Unbounded
Unbounded Plane or Volume
- Includes all structural entities contained in the defined unbounded
plane or that lie between or on two selected unbounded parallel planes.
Point
You may select construction points within the model.
Joint
You may select joints within the model.
Coord (Coordinates)
- You are prompted to specify the global coordinates of 3 or 4 points to
define a plane or volume.
Global Pln (Global Plane)
- You are prompted to specify one or two global planes to define a plane
or volume.
5 - 28
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Example #1 - GTMenu
6.0 Example Problems

This example problem section consists of 5 examples. The first example is a 2D
Plane Frame structure and is presented in Section 6.1. The second example is presented in
Section 6.2 and is a finite element modeling exercise of a plate with a hole. One quarter of
the plate is modeled to take advantage of symmetry. The third example is presented in
Section 6.3 and takes the quarter model generated in Example #2 and generates a model of
the full plate with a hole using the Copy Model feature. The fourth example shown in
Section 6.4 demonstrates the usage of Construction Points and Lines in creating a mesh of
3D solid finite elements. The fifth example presented in Section 6.5 demonstrates several
methods for creating views.
In these examples, italic type indicates menu selection which you pick with a mouse
and bold type indicates data or commands which you enter on the keyboard.
6.0-1
6.0 - 2
Example Problems - GTMenu
Example #1 - GTMenu
6.1
Example Problem #1
The first example is a 2D Plane Frame structure. To produce the structural model
shown below, follow the steps listed on the proceeding pages.
Supports:
Joints 1 and 3 are hinges
Material:
Steel
Member Properties:
1
2
Loadings:
1
2
3
Self weight
Uniform load of 500lb/ft down on member 2
Load 1 and 2 combined (1 + 2)
W12x45
W21x57
6.1-1
6.1-2
Example #1 - GTMenu
There are two methods to enter GTMenu. The first method is to select GTMenu
from the GTStrudl Startup Wizard above. After selecting GTMenu, click on the OK
button. You may also select GTMenu by double clicking on GTMenu.
The second method is to select Command Mode from the GTStrudl Startup Wizard.
Entering GTMenu from the GTSTRUDL Output Window is shown on the next page.
Example #1 - GTMenu
To enter GTMenu from the GTSTRUDL Output Window shown above:
From the Menu Bar, choose Modeling.
Select Graphical Modeling (GTMenu).
6.1-3
6.1-4
Example #1 - GTMenu
Change working units:

!
From the Menu Bar, choose Units.
Under Length, select Feet.
(Note that the current units are displayed on the top frame of the Graphics Window after
selecting the new length unit of Feet by clicking on it.)
Example #1 - GTMenu
Input joint coordinates:

!
From the Menu Bar, choose Create.
Select Joints Only.
Select Input Coordinates. Enter the coordinates in the text input box below the
title. Enter coordinates: x y z
For this example, enter the values and then press the Enter key at the end of
each line.
0
0
15
15
10
15
Note that all joints are created as being Free (unsupported). Later, we will
specify their support status.
6.1-5
6.1-6
Example #1 - GTMenu
Input joint coordinates (cont.):

!
Note that as the Enter key is pressed after each line of coordinates, the Graphics
Window is updated.
After entering the last coordinate and pressing the Enter key, select Store to
save the joint coordinates.
The Message Area above the Graphics Window notifies you that 4 joints are stored.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Create Member Properties (also referred to as Section Properties):
Choose Member Properties.
Select Table from the Member Prop Group dialog.
6.1-7
6.1-8
Example #1 - GTMenu
Create Properties (cont)
Tables are grouped by Table Categories. In this example, the steel profiles are
under the AISC 9th Edition 1989 Table Category. Select AISC 9th Edition 1989.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Create Properties (cont):
Select WCOLUMN9 from the scrollable list of available tables.
A list of section names in the WCOLUMN9 table will appear over the Graphics
Window.
6.1-9
6.1-10
Example #1 - GTMenu
Scroll down the list of available sections and select W12X45 as a Section
Name. Note that the current Table and Section Names are displayed at the top
of the dialog next to the property name.
Store the property group. The Section Name for the steel profile will be used as
the Property Name by default. You may override this by entering your own
Property name in the Property Name text box. If you double click on the
Section Name, the Property Group will automatically be stored.
Note that after storing the Property Group, the Property Name and Description appear
in the Table Property Groups Only and the All Existing Property Groups scrollable
lists.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Create an additional Table Property Group:

Select Table Names.
Select table WBEAM9.
Scroll down and select W21X57.
Select Store.
Select Done.
6.1-11
6.1-12
Example #1 - GTMenu
Turn on labeling of all joints and members:

Labeling of joints and members is turned off except for newly created joints and
members. On large models, the labeling will inhibit viewing and making selections in
the Graphics Window. Since this model is small, turn labeling on for all joints and
members.
Select the Label Settings button from the Button Bar.
Select All under the Label heading in the Joint row in the Display & Label
Entities dialog.
Select All under the Label heading in the Member row.
Click on the Redraw button either at the bottom of the dialog or on the Button
Bar.
Select Done to close the dialog.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Create members:
Choose Place Members.
6.1-13
6.1-14
Example #1 - GTMenu
Create Members (cont):
Choose Section Property Group to select a Section Property to be assigned to

the members to be created.
Select the Property Group called W21X57 and choose Done to exit the dialog.
The current properties appear in a box labeled Current Properties at the top of
the Create Members dialog. The Current Material Property is shown as the
default material group DEFM1, which corresponds to the properties of steel.
The Current Section Property is shown as W21X57.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Create Members (cont):

!
Select Plane Frame from the Place Members dialog menu. The default plane is
the XY plane.
Select Generate Members to begin creating members in the Graphics Window.
Connect joints 1 to 2 and 2 to 4 to form members 1 and 2. Hit the right mouse
button to stop the generation of members in the Graphics Window. Select
Generate Members again and connect joints 3 and 4 to form member 3. This
was done so the start of member 3 would be at the bottom of the column, just as
member 1. The Connect, End-to-End default Definition Method uses the end
joint of the last member as the start joint of the next member. The Specify,
Start & End selection requires the start and end joints to be selected for each
member.
Click the right mouse button to end graphics processing.
Select Store to store the members.
6.1-15
6.1-16
Example #1 - GTMenu
Edit Member Properties:

Since all members were assigned the W21X57 property group, we must edit the column
members in order to assign the W12X45 property group to members 1 and 3.
From the Menu Bar, choose Edit.
Choose Member Data.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Edit Members (cont):
To edit member data, choose Edit (default on the Edit Member Data dialog).
From the Mode Bar at the bottom of the Graphics Window, choose List to
toggle the mode to List so a list of member names may be specified rather than
selecting the members graphically. This is being done to demonstrate another
selection mode.
To change member properties, select Properties on the Edit Member dialog.

An Enter Data pop-up appears on the screen.
Enter the member IDs: 1 3
Select OK.
6.1-17
6.1-18
Example #1 - GTMenu

!
Choose W12X45 and select Done to exit the Member Properties dialog.
Members 1 and 3 now have W12X45 assigned to them.
Example #1 - GTMenu

!
You may check to see if properties have been assigned correctly by selecting
the Inquire button on the Edit Member dialog.
Select Plane from the Mode Bar to change the mode to plane mode.
From the Mode Bar, change the mode back to Hit. Again, this is being done to
demonstrate another selection mode.
Select Properties from the Edit Members dialog.
Click on 3 joints in the Graphics Window to define the plane. Select Yes when
asked to: Continue with current selection? A list output pop-up will then
appear with the member and material properties listed for all the members in the
plane.
Select Close to exit the List Output pop-up.
From the Button Bar, choose Redraw to clear the unbounded Plane box in the
Graphics Window.
6.1-19
6.1-20
Example #1 - GTMenu
Label Dimensions and Coordinates:

From the Button Bar, choose the Annotate Model button.
!
To display the dimensions between joints, select Joints under Dimensions. In

the Graphics Window, click on 2 joints then click on a location within the
Graphics Window to display the distance between the joints. Right click the
mouse to stop the dimension annotation.
To display coordinate values, select Joints under Coordinates. In the Graphics

Window, click on a joint and then click on a location within the Graphics
Window to display the coordinates of the joint. Right click on the mouse to
stop the coordinate annotation.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Create Supports & Releases:

First, choose Redraw from the Button Bar to remove the Coordinate and Dimension
annotation from the screen.
Create Supports & Releases:
!
Select Support & Release.
Select the Create Supports button in the Create Supports dialog.
6.1-21
6.1-22
Example #1 - GTMenu
Create Supports & Releases (cont):
Select joints 1 and 3 in the Graphics Window. Click the right mouse button to
stop selecting joints.
Set FZ, MX, MY and MZ to Release in the Edit Support & Release dialog.
Select Done to exit. Note that FZ, MX, and MY do not need to be set to Release
since this is a Plane Frame in the XY plane. Also note that the support status is
confirmed by a legend in the Graphics Window with a corresponding symbol on
the support joints.
Click on Done to close the Create Supports dialog.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Check Model:
From the Menu Bar, choose Check.
Select Model to display the Check Model dialog.
Select Check All to display information about the current model in a List Output
pop-up. You will be prompted if you would like to Print 3 Member Volume
ratios, Select Yes or No.
Choose Close to exit the Check List pop-up.
6.1-23
6.1-24
Example #1 - GTMenu
Loads:
Activate Independent Load:
Under Loads, select Activate Independent Load to display the Create

Independent Load dialog.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Loads (cont):
Create Self Weight Load:
At the top of the Create Independent Load dialog, enter the name of the load: 1.
Enter an optional description:
Self weight of structure.
Select Store New and Loading 1 and its description, Self weight of structure,
will appear under Defined Loadings. Note that Loading 1 appears as the active
loading on the Button Bar as well as the top of the Create Independent Load
dialog.
Select Self Weight of Members from the Create Independent Load dialog to
display the Self Weight of Members dialog.
6.1-25
6.1-26
Example #1 - GTMenu
Loads (cont):
Select Negative Y (-Y) (default) in the Self Weight of Members dialog.
Leave the Load Factor at 1.00 and click Generate Loads. Select Yes when
asked if you would like to display the generated loads.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Loads (cont):
Create Line Load:
Select Redraw from the Button Bar to clear the previous results.
Navigate back to the Create Independent Load dialog through Create -> Loads
-> Activate Independent Load. Select Ok when informed that a member Self
Weight is active.
At the top of the Create Independent Load dialog, enter the name of the load: 2.
Enter an optional description:
line load on member 2.
Select Store New and Loading 2 and its description, line load on member 2,
will appear under Defined Loadings. Note that Loading 2 appears as the active
loading on the Button Bar as well as the top of the Create Independent Load
dialog.
Select Line Loads from the Create Independent Load dialog to display the Line
Load dialog.
6.1-27
6.1-28
Example #1 - GTMenu
Loads (cont):
Set the Load Type to Member Distributed.

Uniform (the default).
Select Generate Load and select 2 joints in the model to define the line. In this
example, joints 2 and 4 were selected with the mouse. The Line Loads option is
extremely useful when more than one member exists along a line with the same
member loads.
Enter a load value of -500 (units are LBS/FEET) in the WY entry box, and
select Done to create the load.
Set the Load Distribution to
Example #1 - GTMenu
Loads (cont):
The load is displayed on the model in the Graphics Window.
Select Yes to the question: Store load as generated?
6.1-29
6.1-30
Example #1 - GTMenu
Loads (cont):
Create combination of existing independent loads (dependent load)
Select Create from the Menu Bar.
Choose Loads and then Define Dependent Load (Loading Combination).
Example #1 - GTMenu
Loads (cont):
In the Create/Edit Dependent Load dialog, enter a name for the load: 3. Enter
an optional description:
self weight plus line load.
Select Store New. Load 3 will appear under the Dependent Name panel to the
right.
Under the Possible Components panel, select load 1 and click ADD>>>
Component. Leave the factor at the default of 1.0. When complete, perform the
same procedure for load 2.
Select Done.
6.1-31
6.1-32
Example #1 - GTMenu
Display Model:
Select Redraw to refresh the Graphics Window.
From the Button Bar, choose the Display Model button.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Display Model (cont):
You may select various Draw options from the Display Model dialog to display
various features of the model.
In this example, Draw Member, Section Names is displayed.
6.1-33
6.1-34
Example #1 - GTMenu
Rotate Model:
From the Button Bar, choose Rotate and then select Dynamic Rotation using
Cursor.
Hold down the left mouse button in the Graphics Window and move the mouse
to rotate the structure to approximately obtain the orientation shown above and
then release the mouse button.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Redraw Solid:
!
To view the steel profiles drawn to scale in three dimensions, select Redraw
Solid from the Button Bar.
6.1-35
6.1-36
Example #1 - GTMenu
Save Model:
From the Menu Bar, select File.
Choose Save Model to display the Save File dialog.
Enter planeframe in the Filename box, and select Save to save the model
database. The database will be saved in a binary (non-editable) file called
planeframe.gts. Please note that the file extension .gts is used to identify
GTSTRUDL binary save files.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Exit GTMenu and Perform Analysis:
To exit GTMenu, select File from the Menu Bar and select Exit GTMenu.
Select Yes to keep the changes that have been made. This will return you to the
Window labeled GTSTRUDL 30 Output as shown above.
To perform a Static Analysis (STIFFNESS ANALYSIS), select Analysis and

then Static Analysis (Stiffness Analysis).
6.1-37
6.1-38
Example #1 - GTMenu
Review results.
!
Return to GTMenu by selecting Results and then Graphically review results.
In GTMenu, select View from the Button Bar and then select XY Plane,
along -Z axis.
From the Menu Bar, select Results and then Force/Moment Diagrams and
Envelopes.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Results Moment Diagram:
Select Diagram Overlay, the default.
To display the moment diagram (Moment Z), select Moment and then Z.
Click on Select Load and in the pop-up Current Loads dialog, select load 3.
Click Done to close this dialog.
Check the box to Label Max & Min located below the Draw and Add to List
button.
Select All from the Mode Bar.
Select Draw and Add to List. Click on each of the members and then right
click on the mouse to stop the selection. The Moment Z diagrams are then
drawn and labeled as shown above.
6.1-39
6.1-40
Example #1 - GTMenu
Results Moment Diagram (cont):
Alternatively, you may manually label the moment diagram.
Uncheck the box next to Label Max & Min.
Hit Redraw to refresh the screen and then select Reset List followed by
selecting Draw and Add to List again.
To label the values of the diagram on the structure, select Label.
Click on a point on a member to label where lines are drawn perpendicular

to the member. Click on a location on the screen to place the annotation.
The value (VAL) on the diagram and the location (LOC) from the start of
the member are then shown. Right click the mouse to stop the labeling.
Click on Legend and click on a location in the Graphics Window to display

the legend (Moment Z, Load 3, FEET-LBS).
Example #1 - GTMenu
Results Label Member End Forces:
From the Menu Bar, select Results and then Member End Forces.
6.1-41
6.1-42
Example #1 - GTMenu
Results Label Member End Forces (cont.):
Select Clear under Force/Moment Components in the Member End Forces

dialog. This will clear the check boxes. This structure is a plane frame so
only FX, FY, and MZ are needed.
Select the FX, FY, and MZ check boxes.
Select Label and click on Member 2 in the Graphics Window.
Click on a location to place the start member end force values. Then,
click on a location to place the end member end force values. Right click
on the mouse to terminate the labeling.
Click on the Legend and click on a location to display the legend (Member
End Force, Load 3, FEET-LBS).
Example #1 - GTMenu
Results Label Reactions:
From the Menu Bar, select Results and then Joint Reactions.
Select Clear un der Reaction Components in the Support Reactions dialog.
Select the FX, FY, and MZ check boxes.
Select Draw Reaction Arrows to label the reactions on the screen. Note that
All is the default in the Mode Bar.
Select the Label button and select Joint 1 in the Graphics Window and then
select on a location to place the reaction values. FX and FY are labeled and
MZ is not labeled since Joint 1 is a pinned support.
Repeat for Joint 3. Right click on the mouse to terminate labeling.
6.1-43
6.1-44
Example #1 - GTMenu
Results Deformed Structure:
From the Menu Bar, select Results and then Deformed Structure.
Select the Display button in the Static Joint Displacements dialog. This will
display the deformed shape as an overlay on the undeformed structure by
drawing straight lines between the joints in their deformed position.
Select the Label button and then select joint 2 in the Graphics Window on
the deformed structure. Select a location to position the joint displacement
values.
Right click on the mouse to terminate labeling.
Example #1 - GTMenu
Results Deformed Structure (cont):
Select Redraw from the Button Bar to clear the previous results from the
Graphics Window.
Select Deformed Structure Only at the top of the Static Joint Displacements
dialog.
Select the Check Box Deform between Joints.
Select Display to obtain the deformed shape shown above.
Select Label and then select on a position near the middle of Member 2 in
the Graphics Window. Select a location to position the displacement values.
At this time you may want to again save the database (File, Save) or Exit
GTMenu and return to the GTSTRUDL Output Window and output results
in a text format.
6.1-45
6.1-46
Example #1 - GTMenu
Example #2 - GTMenu
6.2
Example Problem #2
The second example is a finite element model of a plate with hole. Symmetry
is used so only one-quarter of the plate is modeled as shown below.
6.2-1
6.2-2
Example #2 - GTMenu
Enter GTMenu:
From the GTSTRUDL Startup Wizard select GTMenu under the New tab.
Select OK.
OR
Follow the steps as in Example 1 from the Command Mode GTSTRUDL 30

Output Window.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Change Working Units:
From the Menu Bar, choose Units.
Under Length, select Centimeters.
Repeat the operation to change the force units to Force, KN.
The active units are shown at the top frame of the Graphical Window.
6.2-3
6.2-4
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Construction Points:
Under Create, select Construction Points, Lines/Curves and Surfaces, then click
on the Points pulldown menu to activate the Create Points dialog.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Construction Points (cont):
Click on Input Coordinates in the Create Points pop-up dialog.
Enter coordinate values in a data entry box entitled Enter coordinates: x y z. Hit
the Enter key after entering the coordinates of each Point. The points will be
displayed in the graphics area and the entered coordinate values will be displayed
in a table above the data entry box.
For this example, enter the values (hit the Enter key after each line below):
5
10
0 5
5 5
Store the points by clicking on the Store button in the lower right corner of the
Input Coordinates box.
6.2-5
6.2-6
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Construction Points (cont):
To create points around the hole, click on the On Circular Arc button in the Create
Points dialog.
On the Points on Circular Arc dialog, enter the number (No.) of points to generate
as 9, and hit the Enter key.
Enter the Arc length % of the circle to generate as 25, and hit the Enter key.
Click on Generate Circular Arc.
Now enter the coordinates of the center of the circle (0,0,0) as shown above in the
Enter Data pop-up box. Click on OK or hit the Enter key after each coordinate is
typed. Repeat for second control point (2,0,0) and third control point (0,2,0).
Upon entering the third point, the 9 points around the quarter circle will be
generated and shown in the Graphics Window. Click on Store.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Construction Lines:
Under Create on the top Menu Bar, select Construction Points, Lines/Curves and
Surfaces, and the select Lines/Curves. The Create Lines/Curves dialog (default)
will pop-up on the right portion of the screen.
Select the 2-Point Line button (the default), Lines/Curves, and then click on the
Generate Line/Curve button.
With the graphics cursor, click on the first point to define the line, P13, and note
how the line now stretches as going toward the point P3. Click on P3 followed by
clicking on P4, P1, and P5. Since the end of one line becomes the start of the next
line, click the right mouse button to finish drawing a sequence of lines.
Click on Generate Line again followed by clicking on P1 and P2 to create the line
between P1-P2. Click the right mouse button to finish the drawing. Click on
Store.
6.2-7
6.2-8
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Construction Lines/Zoom into a Window (cont):
Zoom in on the area defined by P3, P4, and P1 so the Points around the quarter
circle will be more easily selected. To do this, Click on Zoom in the Button Bar.
Then click on Zoom into a Window in the pulldown. Click on Store.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Construction Lines/Zoom into a Window (cont):
With the graphics cursor, select the portion of the screen for the window by
anchoring the cursor in one corner of the desired window, stretching the cursor to
the diagonally opposite corner of the window, and clicking again. The screen will
automatically be redrawn showing only the selected window.
Create a line between P9 and P4. Select Generate Line and click on P9 and then
P4. Click the right mouse button after clicking on P4. Click on Store.
6.2-9
6.2-10
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Construction Lines (cont):
To create two N Point lines around the quarter circle, select Line/Curve Type,
N-Point Line in the Create Lines/Curves dialog, and then click on Generate Line.
Click on points P5, P6, P7, P8, and P9, and then click the right mouse button to
create line C7.
Click on Generate Line again followed by clicking on P9, P10, P11, P12, and P13,
and then click the right mouse button to create line C8. Click on Store.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Joints and Elements:
Select Create in the top Menu Bar, followed by selecting Joints and Elements
using Construction in the pulldown, then selecting 2D Elements.
or
Select Generate Elements in 2D near the bottom of the Create Lines/Curves dialog.
6.2-11
6.2-12
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Joints and Elements (cont):
From the Create Element 2D dialog, select Element Type. A dialog pop-up listing
the available two-dimensional elements is displayed.
Click on the IPLQ element, and then input the thickness of the element (0.5) in the
input box and hit Enter. Plane Stress is the default for Plane Stress/Strain element
types.
Select Done from the lower right corner of the Element Dictionary pop-up.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Joints and Elements (cont):
After selecting Done, the Current Element Properties are shown at the top of the
Create Element 2D dialog which indicates the current Element Type, Thickness,
and Material. (The Default Material, DEFM1, has the properties of steel).
6.2-13
6.2-14
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Joints and Elements (cont)
To make it easier to select the Lines/Curves, the display and labeling of Points
needs to be turned off. Select Label Settings from the Button Bar.
Turn off the display of Points by clicking on the Display Points All box in the
Display and Label Entities dialog. This automatically turns off the labeling of
Points on the next Redraw of the Graphics Window.
Select Redraw at the lower left corner of the pop-up dialog and then select Done
to close the dialog.
Example #2 - GTMenu
To generate elements near the hole, select the Surface Type, 4-Line/Curve, option
from the Create Element 2D dialog.
With the graphic cursor, click on the four lines/curves (see the Note and graphic
below) which bound the region to be generated. A U-direction and a V-direction
must be identified. Hit two U curves (lines) and two V curves (lines). Note that
they are marked on the line as they are selected. U2 is opposite U1, and V2 is
opposite V1. Line C8 is selected as U1, line C2 as U2, line C1 as V1, and line C6
as V2.
Note:
To select the lines, click on the X symbol near the line name (C8, C2, C1, C6).
Curves U1 and U2 are the first two curves selected and are
opposite each other. Curves V1 and V2 are the next two
curves selected and are opposite each other also.
6.2-15
6.2-16
Example #2 - GTMenu
Select Specify Spacing from the Create Element 2D dialog.
From the Elements 2D Spacing dialog pop-up, identify the spacing as either
Uniform (default) or Variable for both the U and V directions. In this case, the
uniform spacing is used with 4 spaces input in each direction to generate a 4x4
mesh inside the area bounded by the four lines.
Select Done in the lower right corner of the dialog pop-up after specifying the
spacing.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Select Generate Elements & Joints from the Create Element 2D dialog, and the
generated elements will be displayed.
You may click on the Store button if the generated elements are satisfactory or you
may wait until the other region in the Window is generated. If the generated
elements are unsatisfactory, click on the Undo button and respecify the Surface and
Spacing information as needed.
6.2-17
6.2-18
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Joints and Elements/Window (cont)
Repeat the process for the remaining area around the remaining segment of the
hole following the procedure detailed above. Start with the Surface Type, 4Line/Curve option and click on the C7, C3, C6, and C4 lines to identify the U1, U2,
V1, and V2 curves. The spacing will not need to be respecified if a Store was not
performed on the previous page. Select Generate Elements & Joints. Select Store
to store the generated joints and elements.
To return to the full model, select Zoom from the Button Bar.
Select Full Screen, and the full model is displayed.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Joints and Elements/Label (cont)
To turn on or off the display or labels of various entities (Points, Lines, Joints,...
etc.), select Label Settings from the Button Bar.
Turn off the labels for Joints and Elements by clicking on the Label All New box
to the right of the entities.
Select Redraw at the lower left of the pop-up dialog to redraw the model in the
Graphics Window. Select Done to close the dialog.
6.2-19
6.2-20
Example #2 - GTMenu
The remainder of the plate will be generated with rectangular elements. A nonuniform (variable) spacing will be used in the x direction to illustrate this feature.
The spacing in the y direction must correspond to the previously generated uniform
spacing.
To generate the remaining part of the model, select the Surface Type as
2-Line/Curve since the region to be generated is rectangular.
Select two lines to identify the U and V lines in the graphics area. The U line is
the bottom line shown as C5 and the V line is C3.
Select Specify Spacing to display the Elements 2D Spacing dialog box.
From the Elements 2D Spacing dialog, select U-direction, Variable, and input 3 as
the Total No. Of Spaces in the U-direction.
From the U spacing table input 1 under the # of Spaces column (#Spaces) in the
table. Input 25 under the Percent column. The first division of the mesh will be
generated 25% along the U-direction, line C5.
Input 4 as the # of Spaces in the V-direction. (Uniform is the default).
Example #2 - GTMenu
Select Done. Since 3 spaces were specified in the U-direction and since the
variable spacing table contained only 1 entry, a message pops up indicating that the
U line length in the table is less than the length of the U line. You are then asked
if the remainder of the line is to be filled. In this case, the default fill will be 2
uniform spaces. Select the Yes button if this is satisfactory.
6.2-21
6.2-22
Example #2 - GTMenu
Select Generate Elements & Joints from the Create Element 2D dialog, and the
Graphics Window will be automatically updated with the additional generated
elements.
If the elements are satisfactory, select Store.
Turn off the labels and the display of the Lines/Curves since they will no longer
be needed. Select Label Settings from the Button Bar.
Turn off the labels and the display of the Lines/Curves by clicking in the Display
All check box to the right of Lines/Curves. Select Redraw and click on Done.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Check Duplicates:
From the Menu Bar, select Check, followed by Duplicates and Floating Joints.
Note: Duplicate joints were created along the intersections of the three generated
regions of the model.
Choose Duplicate Joints from the Check Model Duplicates dialog.
Set the tolerance for detecting duplicate joints in the Enter Data pop-up. Do not
accept the default tolerance value. For many finite element meshes, a smaller
value is needed to prevent the removal of necessary joints. Enter a value of
0.01cm.
Select the OK button located under the input data box. A Delete Duplicates pop-up
is displayed.
6.2-23
6.2-24
Example #2 - GTMenu
Check Duplicates (cont):
To delete all duplicate joints, choose All duplicates Above from the Delete
Duplicates dialog. You may also select Using List of Duplicates, and selectively
delete duplicates individually from the list of duplicate joints.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Loads:
Select Create from the top Menu Bar, and then select Loads from the pulldown.
Before specifying the loads, an independent loading condition (loading name and
optional description) must first be created. Select Activate Independent Load from
the pulldown.
6.2-25
6.2-26
Example #2 - GTMenu
Create Loads (cont):
At the top of the Create Independent Load dialog, input the name of the load 1.
Enter an optional description Load on right edge.
Select Store New and Loading 1 and its description will appear under Defined
Loadings.
Select Joint Loads near the bottom of the dialog.
Example #2 - GTMenu

The Individual Joint Load pop-up dialog appears in the right part of the screen indicating
that the Active Load is 1.
Select Generate Load.
6.2-27
6.2-28
Example #2 - GTMenu
Select the 5 joints on the right edge of the model by sequentially pointing and
clicking the left mouse button at each loaded joint. Hit the right mouse button to
complete the selection of joints.
Input the value of 1.0 for FX in the Individual Joint Load Values pop-up.
Select Done in the lower right corner of the pop-up.
Example #2 - GTMenu
The generated joint loads will be drawn on the model.
6.2-29
6.2-30
Example #2 - GTMenu
Save Model:
Save the model by selecting File in the top Menu Bar. Select Save Model. The
Save/File dialog pop-up will appear.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Save Model (cont):
Enter the GTSTRUDL save file name quarterplate in the File name list box. The
file will be saved as quarterplate.gts.
Hit the Save button.

Note:
The model is being saved at this point so we may Restore the model at
this point for Example 3. Example 3 demonstrates the Copy Model
feature of GTMenu to generate a model of the entire plate.
6.2-31
6.2-32
Example #2 - GTMenu
Add Supports:
Use Create, Support & Release to specify the symmetry boundary conditions along the
left and bottom edges of the model:
From the Menu Bar, select Create and then Support & Release.
Select the Line button from the bottom Mode Bar since all joints along the bottom
and left edges of the model will need to have restraints specified.
Click on the Create Supports button in the Create Supports dialog.
Using the mouse, select the joint at the left of the bottom row of joints.
Select the joint at the far right edge of the bottom row of joints.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Add Supports (cont):
Select YES in the OK to Continue pop-up to indicate that the selected joints are
OK.
In the Edit Support and Release pop-up, under the Release heading, click on FX,
FZ, MX, MY, and MZ (leave only FY restrained).
Note: This is a plane stress problem so only FX and FY are applicable.
Restraints or releases on FZ, MX, MY, and MZ will be ignored.
Select Done.
6.2-33
6.2-34
Example #2 - GTMenu
Add Supports (cont):
Repeat the process for the left edge of the model by clicking on the joint at the top
of the far left edge followed by clicking on the joint at the bottom of the far left
edge.
Select YES in the OK to Continue pop-up.
In the Edit Support and Release pop-up under the Release heading, click on FY,
FZ, MX, MY, and MZ (leave only FX restrained).
Select Done.
Hit the right mouse button to stop selecting joints to be supported.
Click on the Done button to close the Create Supports dialog.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Generate Input File:

Before returning to the GTSTRUDL Output Window to perform an analysis, you may
want for record purposes to generate a text file which contains the GTSTRUDL
commands.
From the Menu Bar select File.
Choose Generate GT STRUDL Text Input.
From the Generate GT STRUDL Analysis Program Input pop-up, enter the
optional (8 characters or less) Job id, qtrplate, and the optional Description,
Symmetry model of plate.
Select Generate Input File and the Input File Name pop-up will appear. Enter
qtrplate in the File name text box and select Save. An input file named
qtrplate.gti will be saved.
!
!
Select Done.
Select Redraw.
6.2-35
6.2-36
Example #2 - GTMenu
Command Mode:
From the Menu Bar, select File.
Choose Exit GTMenu. A pop-up will appear stating Changes have been made in
GTMenu. Keep the changes? Select Yes.
You may want to again save the model using a different name before exiting
GTMenu.
Example #2 - GTMenu
You may view the generated input file (qtrplate.gti) using any text editor or word processor.
A portion of the generated input file is shown above using WordPad.
Notes:
GTMenu Point Coordinates and Line Incidences are now in the generated input file in
Version 30 as can be seen above.
The Save File, quarterplate.gts, is a binary file and cannot be viewed or printed.
6.2-37
6.2-38
Example #2 - GTMenu
Static Analysis:
From the GTSTRUDL Output Window, select Analysis and then select Static
Analysis from the pulldown.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Results:
To graphically review your results, return to GTMenu by selecting Results,

Graphical review results.
From the GTMenu Menu Bar, select Results, select Finite Element Results, and
then select Contour Stresses, Strains, Displacements from the pulldown.
6.2-39
6.2-40
Example #2 - GTMenu
Results Contour (cont):
In the Element Contours dialog, select Stresses, then select Middle (the default),
and then select SXX (the default),
Select Individual Load and select loading 1 which is already shown since there
is only one load on the structure.
Select Display to have the SXX stress contour to be displayed in the Graphics
Window.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Results Contour (cont):
Move the cursor to the left of the Graphics Window and click the left mouse button
to display the contour scale.
Select Legend and move the cursor to a blank portion on the screen and click the
left mouse button. The legend shown below will be displayed:
SXX MID
Load 1
KN/CM**2
(Contour type and Surface)

(Loading )
(Units)
To label the values of the contour on the screen, select Label in the Element
Contours dialog.
Select a joint and then move the cursor to a blank portion of the screen to have the
value of the contour and the joint name displayed. Click the right mouse button
when you have finished labeling. You may want to again save the model using a
different name before exiting GTMenu.
6.2-41
6.2-42
Example #2 - GTMenu
Results Principal Stress Vectors:
Select the Redraw button to clear the contours from the Graphics Window.
To create a vector display showing the magnitude and orientation of the 2D

principal stresses, S1 and S2, select Results from the Menu Bar. Select Finite
Element Results, and then select Principal Vectors from the pulldown.
In the Principal Vectors dialog, note that the following defaults are selected:
Stresses
Middle Surface
S1
Load 1
Vectors
Color Coded
Select the Display button to display the vector display of the S1 principal stress.
Move the cursor to the top of the Graphics Window and click the left mouse button
to display the color scale for the vectors and the Tension and Compression
designation for the vectors.
Example #2 - GTMenu
Results Principal Stress Vectors (cont):
To label the principal stress magnitude and orientation of the vector with respect
to the PLANAR coordinate system, select Label in the Principal Vectors dialog.
Select a joint and then move the cursor to a blank portion of the screen to have
the value of the principal stress, the angle, and the joint name displayed. Click
the right mouse button.
Select Legend and move the cursor to a blank portion of the screen and click the
left mouse button.
The legend shown below will be displayed:
S1 MID
Load 1
KN/CM**2
(Principal stress and surface)

(Loading)
(Units)
! Click File, and then End GTMenu to exit GTMenu.

! Click File, Exit, OK, and then NO to exit GTSTRUDL.
6.2-43
6.2-44
Example #2 - GTMenu
Example #3 - GTMenu
6.3
Example Problem #3
The primary purpose of this example is to demonstrate the use of the Copy
Model feature by taking the quarter model generated in Example #2 and copying it
to generate a model of the full plate with the hole. The third example is covered over
the proceeding steps.
6.3-1
6.3-2
Example #3 - GTMenu
Restore Model:
After starting GTSTRUDL, choose GTMenu from the GTSTRUDL Startup

Wizard.
From the Menu Bar, choose File.
Select Restore Model to display the Restore File Dialog.
Select the file quarterplate.gts which was saved in Example 2.
Choose Open to restore the model.
Example #3 - GTMenu
Copy Model:
From the Menu Bar choose Edit.
Select Copy Model to display the Copy Model dialog.
6.3-3
6.3-4
Example #3 - GTMenu
Copy Model (contd):
From the Copy Model dialog, hit Select Mem/Ele to Copy. Note that the current
mode is set to All. A pop-up will then appear informing you that the entire model
will be copied. Hit the OK button.
Under Copies in the Copy Model dialog, enter 1 for the Number of Repetitions
(copies).
Select Copy Type, Translate & Rotate to generate a copy by performing a

translation and rotation.
Using the mouse, select the lower right joint as both the Base Joint and the Rotate
Joint (the effect of selecting the same joint is to set the translation to zero for the
copy).
Example #3 - GTMenu
Copy Model (contd):
In the Enter Data pop-up, enter X 180 to generate a copy of the model by first
translating the model from the Base Joint to the Rotate Joint (they are the same in
this example) and then rotating 180 degrees about the X axis.
Select OK, (If the Enter key was hit after entering X 180, the Enter Data pop-up
automatically closes).
6.3-5
6.3-6
Example #3 - GTMenu
Copy Model (contd):
Select Generate Copy.
Enter 0.01 in the Enter Data pop-up asking for the Tolerance to Connect to an
Existing Joint.
You will be prompted with a YES/NO question pop-up asking Copy Loads?.
Select Yes.
Note: The loads will be copied except at the duplicate joint along the X-axis of the
model. A total load of 9.0 KN will be generated. An additional load of 1.0
KN must be added at the joint on the X-axis.
The model will be copied as shown above. Note that joints in the lower part of the
model are not marked with a dot since they have not been stored yet and the
Graphics Window has not been redrawn (Redraw button).
Example #3 - GTMenu
Display Model (Incidence Order):
From the Button Bar, select Display Model.
Select Incidence Order under Draw Element to display the ordering of element
incidences (clockwise or counter-clockwise). Note that the Copy Model angle
option with X 180 reversed the order for the elements in the bottom portion of the
model.
Select Redraw to clear the incidence order arrows from the screen.
6.3-7
6.3-8
Example #3 - GTMenu
Edit Elements (Reverse Incidence Order):
From the Menu Bar, choose Edit.
Select Element Data to display the Edit Element Data dialog.
From the Mode Bar, choose Plane and Bound (bounded plane since only a portion
of the plane needs to be modified).
Select Incidence Order in the Edit Element Data dialog.
Using the mouse, define the bounded plane by first selecting the joint in the lower
left corner of the model and then, select the joint in the lower right corner of the
model followed by selecting the joint halfway up the right edge on the X-axis.
(Three points define the bounded plane).
The element incidence order for the elements in the bounded plane will again be
drawn and a YES/NO pop-up will appear asking Reverse incidence order?.
Select YES.
Example #3 - GTMenu
Copy Model again using the Mirror Image option to create the other half of the plate:
Select Redraw to clear the incidence order arrows from the screen.
To complete the full model, you could follow the same procedure as before using
the Translate and Rotate option under Copy Model. However, another option exists
which will allow you to create a mirror image of the model.
Choose Edit from the Menu Bar and select Copy Model.
Hit Select Mem/Ele to Copy and hit the OK button to select the entire model for the
copy.
Under Copies enter 1 for the Number of Repetitions (copies).
Select Mirror Image under Copy Type.
Select YZ under the Specify Mirror Plane pop-up.
Select Joint under Passing Through in the Specify Mirror Plane pop-up.
Select the joint in the lower left corner of the model.
6.3-9
6.3-10
Example #3 - GTMenu
Copy Model again using the Mirror option to create the other half of the plate: (continued)
Leave the check in the Check Box to Maintain Incidence Order. This will keep the
incidences from being flipped as the model is reflected across the Mirror Plane.
Click OK.
Select Generate Copy.
Enter 0.01 again in the pop-up for the Tolerance to Connect to an Existing Joint.
Select No to Copy Loads pop-up question.
The result of the Mirror Image is shown above.
Select Store.
Example #3 - GTMenu
Redraw Solid:
To fill the elements with a solid color, select Redraw Solid from the Button Bar.
6.3-11
6.3-12
Example #3 - GTMenu
Redraw Solid with Elements Shrink:
From the Menu Bar, select Options.
Choose Model Display to display the Model Display Options dialog.
Enter 0.8 for the Shrink Factor in the Model Display Options dialog. Note: the
Shrink Factor may also be set by selecting the Label Settings button.
Select Redraw Solid from the Button Bar.

Note: You can now perform other steps such as editing the joints to add supports
to complete this model. The primary purpose of this example was to
demonstrate the Copy Model, Translate and Rotate, and Mirror Image
functions.
Example #4 - GTMenu
6.4
Example Problem #4
The purpose of this example is to demonstrate how Construction Points and Lines
can be used to create a finite element mesh using 3D solid (TYPE TRIDIMENSIONAL)
finite elements. It is assumed that the user is familiar with Examples 1, 2, and 3 before
attempting this example as many of the steps are only briefly summarized here.
Description
Cantilever Beam
Fixed at Left end (x = 0)
Surface load of 100 psi in -Y direction on top surface (Y = 6 in.)
E
3,000 ksi
Poissons ratio
0.17
6.4-1
6.4-2
Example #4 - GTMenu
From the GTSTRUDL Startup Wizard, select GTMenu under the New tab. Select
OK.
From the GTMenu Menu Bar, choose Units.
Under Force, select Kips.
Under Create, select Material Properties.
In the table shown above, enter a name for the Material Name such as Cantbeam.
Then enter 3000 for E, 0.17 for Poissons ratio, and 8.68E-5 for the Material
Density (concrete). Click on the Store New button and your new Material Property
Group will appear in the table under Existing Material Property Groups.
Select the Done button.
Select Label Settings from the Button Bar and check the Display and Label All
option for Points and Lines.
Select Done.
Example #4 - GTMenu
Select Create, then Construction Points/Lines ..., and then select Points.
Select Input Coordinates to enter the coordinates of the Construction Points.
Input the coordinates in the text box to define the three corners of the region to be
meshed (hit the Enter key after each line below):
0, 0, 0
(Point P1)
or alternatively enter 0 0 0
21, 0, 0
(Point P2)
or alternatively enter 21
0, 6, 0
(Point P3)
or alternatively enter 0 6
0, 0, 4
(Point P4)
or alternatively enter 0 0 4
Click Store.
Change the View to an isometric view so all Points can be seen. Click on the View
button on the Button Bar. Click on the Isometric View in the View Dialog. The
figure shown above should now be seen.
Click on the : in the upper right corner of the View Dialog to close the dialog.
6.4-3
6.4-4
Example #4 - GTMenu
Select Create Lines/Curves at the bottom of the Input Coordinate dialog.
In the Create Lines/Curves dialog, select 2-Point Line (the default). Select the
Generate Line/Curve button at the bottom of the dialog.
Click on the Points P1 and P2. Click right mouse button. Click the Generate
Line/Curve button. Click on Point P1 and P3. Click right mouse button. Click the
Generate Line/Curve button. Click on Points P1 and P4. Click right mouse
button.
Lines/Curves C1, C2, and C3 should have been created as shown above.
Click the Store button.
Example #4 - GTMenu
Mesh the region using 3D finite elements.
Select the Generate Elements in 3D button at the bottom of the Create

Lines/Curves dialog.
Select Material Group. Double click on Cantbeam from the list of Existing
Materials Properties.
Select Element Type. Double click on the IPSL (8 node solid element) from the
list of Element 3D Types.
You will now identify the Lines/Curves needed to define the region to be meshed.
For a region which can be defined by a box, 3 lines can be used to define the
boundaries. Under Volume Type, select 3-Line/Curve.
Select line C1 as the first line by clicking on the X on the line. This line will be
labeled as the U line. Now click on line C2 for the V line and C3 for the W line.
The U, V, and W lines will be shown as on the figure above.
6.4-5
6.4-6
Example #4 - GTMenu
Mesh the region using 3D finite elements (cont):
For purposes of this example, we will define a uniform mesh with 7 subdivisions
in the X (U) direction, 3 in the Y (V) direction and 2 in the Z (W) direction.
Click on the Specify Spacing button and enter the number of elements in the Total
# Spaces text boxes under the U, V, and W directions as 7, 3, and 2 respectively.
Click on the Done button at the bottom of the Elements 3D Spacing dialog.
Click on the Generate Elements & Joints button. The elements and their joints will
be created and labeled as shown above.
Click on the Store button.
Example #4 - GTMenu
Turn off labeling and specify supports:
In many cases, the labeling on the screen will need to be turned off as it is difficult
to select anything on the screen or view the model.
Select the Label Settings button on the Button Bar.
Under the Display All heading, turn off the display and labeling of Points and
Curves by clicking on the % for Points and Lines/Curves. Also, remove any
check marks for the labeling of joints and elements.
Click on the Redraw button and then click on the Done button.
To specify the supports at the left end of the cantilever, click on Create on the top
Menu Bar and then click on Support and Release.
Click on Create Supports in the Create Supports dialog.
Click on the 12 joints on the left end of the cantilever.
Right click on the mouse. Click on the Done button to fully fix the supports as
shown on the figure above. Right click on the mouse.
6.4-7
6.4-8
Example #4 - GTMenu
Create Load:
Click on Create on the Menu Bar, then Loads, and then Activate Independent
Loads.
Enter the name of the load, 1, in the text box. The Description text box is optional.
Click on the Store New button.
Click on the Plane Loads button.
Select Element Surface Force and Uniform the default.
Select Generate Load and hit the 4 joints at the extreme corners of the top surface
on the top surface of the beam in a clockwise or counter clockwise order.
Enter a value of the pressure, PZ, of -0.1 (ksi) and select Done.
Select Yes when asked Store load as generated?
Example #4 - GTMenu
Redraw Solid and Shrink Elements:
Select Redraw Solid on the Button Bar to obtain a solid view of the model.
To shrink the elements away from each other, select Options on the Menu Bar, and
then select Model Display. Click on the button twice to set the Shrink Factor
to 0.8. Select the Redraw Solid button again to produce the figure shown above.
Save the model. Select File on the Menu Bar and then Save Model. Enter the
name of the file to be used for the database (3D cantilever). Click on Save.
Select Exit GTMenu under File.
6.4-9
6.4-10
Example #4 - GTMenu
Now follow the same steps in Example 2 to calculate results and then display the stress
contours. These additional steps are briefly summarized below:
You are now in the GT STRUDL 30 Output Window. Select Analysis and Static
Analysis.
Output text output by selecting Results, and then Static/Nonlinear/2d order Results
(Text output). You can then select Reactions, Joint Displacements, Average
Element Results, etc.
Return to GTMenu to contour the results by selecting Results, Graphical review

results, and then GTMenu.
Select Results, Finite Element Results, and then Contour Stresses, Strains,
Displacements.
Select Stresses, SXX, and then select Individual Load 1 (the default). Click on
Display and then click on the right side of the graphics area to have the contour
scale drawn. Select the Legend button. Position the legend text box in the lower
left portion of the graphics area and click on the left mouse button.
Select File, Save Model, and enter a file name to save the database with results.
Example #5 - GTMenu
6.5
Example Problem #5
For purposes of this example, a space frame model of a building will be created using the
Model Wizard. Then, a number of views of this model will be created using several methods
to demonstrate the View feature.
6.5-1
6.5-2
Example #5 - GTMenu
Model Wizard:
In the GTStrudl Startup Wizard, select the New tab and then double click on Model
Wizard.
Double click on Space Frame.
Select the Next button.
Set the length unit to Feet and the force unit to Kips. Select Next and select Next
again.
Specify the Floors, Bays in the x-direction, and Bays in the z-direction as 5, 3, and
4 respectively by clicking on the appropriate down arrow next to each text box.
Then select the Next button.
Select the Next button to accept the default dimensions for the frame.
Select the Next button to accept the default member cross-section profiles for the
frames beams and columns.
Select the Finish button to complete the model creation using the Model Wizard.
In the GT STRUDL 30 Output Window, select Modeling and then Graphical

Modeling (GTMenu) just as in the previous examples to enter GTMenu.
Example #5 - GTMenu
Global Plane Views:
Select the View button on the Button Bar.
Select Isometric View by clicking on it.
Select the More Options button.
Select Global Plane(s).
Select XZ as we will be creating a view which contains only the top floor of the
model.
Select Create New View.
Enter top floor in the Enter Data dialog. Click on OK.
Select a joint on the top floor. The members in the top floor will be highlighted.
Select OK to accept the view in the Process View dialog and View #5 top floor will
now be listed under Existing Views as shown above.
6.5-3
6.5-4
Example #5 - GTMenu
Volume View Defined by Global Planes:
Now, a view will be created which contains the ground and first floor of the
structure using the Volume mode to define two global planes. First, select Volume
on the Mode Bar at the bottom of the screen. Select Global Plane(s) and XZ in the
View Dialog.
Select Create New View and enter Ground-1st for the view name. Click on OK.
Now, select a joint on the ground and a joint on the first floor. The members
contained in the volume will be highlighted.
Select Set as Current View and then click on OK in the Process View dialog. The
view shown above will be displayed.
Return to the Isometric View by double clicking on it. Double click on any of the
views listed. Double click on the XY Plane view before going to the next page.
Example #5 - GTMenu
View Defined by Current Display:
We will now zoom in on a portion of the model and create a view using the Current
Display option in the View Dialog. Select the Zoom button and then select Zoom
into a Window and Zoom in on a portion of the model as shown above.
Select Current Display under New View Definition.
Select the Create New View button and enter Floors 3-4 for the view name. Click
on OK. Note that the view changed from what was shown in the zoom outline box
above as only complete members and elements are shown in a View (clipped
members and elements are not retained in a view).
Rotate the view around by clicking on the Rotate button and selecting Dynamic
Rotation Using Cursor from the pulldown. While holding down the left mouse
button and moving the mouse, rotate the view to the desired orientation. Release
the left mouse button.
To change the view to this orientation, click on the Update View Rotations button.
Note:
When exiting GTMenu, you will usually want to have a view which contains the full
model as the current view such as View 1, 2, 3 or 4. If you Exit GTMenu while in a view
which contains only a portion of the model, the members, elements and joints which are
not in the view will be inactive.
6.5-5
6.5-6
Example #5 - GTMenu
Known Problems and Possible Workarounds
7.
This section describes known problems or deficiencies in GTMenu in Version 30.

Possible workarounds to the problems are also presented below:
1.
Gravity loads and Self-Weight loads are generated incorrectly for the TRANS3D
element.
Workaround:
2.
The Copy Model feature under Edit in the Menu Bar will generate an incorrect
model if the model contains the TRANS3D element.
Workaround:
3.
Verify that the loads are correct in the GTSTRUDL Output

Window using the PRINT LOAD DATA command or by checking
the reactions using LIST SUM REACTIONS.
GTMenu is limited to 1,000 views. If more than 1,000 views are created, an abort
or incorrect results occur.
Workaround:
6.
You can check the load summation by specifying the LIST SUM
REACTIONS command after STIFFNESS ANALYSIS.
Projected element loads will be displayed incorrectly when they are created or when
they are displayed using Display Model 6 Loads.
Workaround:
5.
Use the DEFINE OBJECT and COPY OBJECT commands in

Command Mode as described in Sections 2.1.6.7.1. and 2.1.6.7.5
of Volume 1 of the GTSTRUDL Reference Manual.
The Load Summations option available under CHECK MODEL will produce
incorrect load summations for line, edge, and body loads on all finite elements. The
Load Summations are also incorrect for projected loads on finite elements. The load
summations for line and edge loadings should be divided by the thickness of the
loaded elements. The body force summations should be multiplied by the thickness
of the loaded elements.
Workaround:
4.
Specify the self-weight using Body Forces under Element Loads.

ELEMENT LOADS command is described in Section 2.3.5.4.1 of
Volume 3 of the GTSTRUDL Reference Manual.
Use the Write function in the View Dialog to create text files each
of which can have a large number of views.
GTMenu is limited to 10,000 Member (Section) Property Groups. If more than

10,000 different Member Property Groups are created, incorrect results occur.
7-1
7-2
End of Document

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GT STRUDL

Telephone: (404) 894-2260

Objectives & Overview of Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

How to Start GTMenu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

GTMenu Desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Menu Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Button Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Known Problems and Possible Workarounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

Objectives & Overview of Capabilities

DATABASE and INPUT FILE

STANDARD and USER DEFINED VIEWS

DRAW SOLID SHAPES

DELETION (in each Creation menu)

NAMES (IDs) for JOINTS, MEMBERS and ELEMENTS

MIXED UNITS OF LENGTH

TEXT INPUT FILE

Contents and Organization

How to Start GTMenu

How to Start GTMenu

How to Start GTMenu

The Desktop Components

Menu Bar from which you can select "pull-down" menus.

Button Bar containing some of the most frequently used functions.

Graphics Window to graphically display the model.

to rotate about screen z axis

to return to the fUll structure (use after zooming),

to Window using the cursor,

Label All joints, members, and elements,

Label All or named joints,

Label All members and elements or named members/elements,

Again : draw the Display again

to go back to a previous display after zooming, rotating,

to go forward to a previous display (this is only valid after

will cause view 1, 2, 3, . . . 9 to be displayed

will cause view nn to be displayed where nn is an integer

will cause view nnn to be displayed where nnn is an integer

display the VIEW menu (see Section 4.4) in more options

will cause an isometric rotation of the current VIEW (see

will cause an xy plane rotation of the current VIEW (see

will cause an xz plane rotation of the current VIEW (see

will cause a yz plane rotation of the current VIEW (see

iNquire about clicked on entity,

select Members only (hold down the CTRL key when

select Elements only (hold down the CTRL key when

list a short description of the hot keys similar to the above

File item from Menu Bar

Create item from Menu Bar

Construction Points, Lines/Curves and Surfaces

Support & Release ...

before proceeding, it is highly recommended that the user go

Directly specifying the coordinates in the current active coordinate system

Transforming existing Construction Points (Pnts) to joints

Calculating the coordinate location at the intersection of two lines

Projecting the spacing along an axis onto an arbitrary line.

Edit item from Menu Bar

IDs - Joints, Member, and Element ...

before proceeding, it is highly recommended that the user go

Display item from Menu Bar

XY Plane, along - Z axis

XZ Plane, along - Y axis

YZ Plane, along - X axis

Results item from Menu Bar

Moving Load ...