2016

2016

What’s New Document

For support & training please contact

Support : asiasupport@protasoftware.com
Training : asiasales@protasoftware.com

www.protasoftware.com
Table of Contents

What’s New in ProtaStructure 2016 3

What’s New in ProtaDetails 2016 5
1. Slab Meshing in Building Analysis 6
2. P-Delta Analysis 9
3. Enhanced Visual Interrogation 10
4. Seismic Analysis, Design & Detailing 11
5. Soil-Structure Interaction 13
6. Pile Cap Design & Detailing 14
7. Model Merging 15
8. New Report Manager 17
9. Curved, Circle & multi-segment sketch line 18
10. Eccentric Pad Footings 20
11. Base Isolator Analysis and Design 21
12. Enhanced model and view export 22
13. Faster column/wall & beam design (by storey) 23
14. BRC mesh reinforcement for slabs 24
15. Finite Element Slab Pattern Load 25
16. Contour Export from FE Floor Post-processor 26
17. Automated drawing & sheet management 28
17.1 Additional Drawing Generation Options 29
17.2 Crop Beam Elevation 30
17.3 Generate Column Through Storeys 30
17.4 Go to Detail 31
18. New engineering design macros 31
18.1 Pile Cap (Single) 32
18.2 Pile Cap (Batch) 34
18.3 Stairs 35
19. New element detailing macros 36
20. New reinforcement insertion, creation & editing features 37
20.1 Insert To Formwork (new rebar insertion) 37
20.2 Editing Rebar Segments 38
20.3 Convert Polyline to Rebar (enhanced) 39
21. Tables can be converted to report 40
22. Batch export of DXF / DWG 41

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 2

What’s New in ProtaStructure 2016
ProtaStructure 2016 is a fantastic new release containing many new features and enhancements for you
to enjoy. Key benefits of this include:
 Slab Meshing in Building Analysis
Include slabs, ribbed and waffle slabs at any storey(s) in building analysis model by automatically
meshing them with a shell elements. Use rigid or semi-rigid diaphragms with ability to choose slab
load decomposition options, mesh sensitivity and slab stiffness.
 P-Delta Analysis
Consider second-order slenderness effects by performing P-Delta analysis.
 Enhance Visual Interrogation
Easily check slab and member sizes, loads and other model properties
 Seismic Analysis, Design & Detailing
Analysis and design can be carried out in compliance with EC8 for Malaysia & Singapore National
Annex. Detailing requirements of EC8 from Low to High Ductility classes are fulfilled.
 Soil-Structure Interaction
Enable foundations to be integrated into building analysis model for more accurate assessment of
building behaviour.
 Pile Cap Design & Detailing
A comprehensive pile cap design solution has been implemented which automatically design piles
arrangement, pile cap depth & reinforcements. This covers both regular and eccentric pile positions.
Rationalisation of design with grouping can also be easily performed. Pile cap detail drawings, pile cap
schedules & quantity extraction can all be seamlessly generated in ProtaDetails.
 Model Merging
Build large models quickly with 2 or more engineers working on separate model or parts of the
building and “merge” these together for analysis and design for fast project delivery.
 New Report Manager
Fully integrated reports into one repository. Insert custom reports including 3rd party documents,
create custom report sets, and insert QR codes and company logos to produce a professional design
report.
 Curved, circular & multi-segment sketch lines
Make use curved & multi-segment sketch lines to model irregular slab edges or columns.
 Eccentric Pad Footings
Columns can eccentrically sit on a pad footing. Additional moments are automatically considered in
footing design.
 Base Isolator analysis and design
Model Lead Rubber Bearing (LRB) or Friction Pendulum System (FPS) seismic isolators anywhere along
a column. Check isolator displacement limits with summary reports.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 3

 Enhanced model and view export
Plan & 3D views can be exported to DXF/DWG directly from ProtaStructure. All 3D and plan views can
be exported as picture (jpeg) format. A member can be exported as STL file for 3D printers.
 Faster column/wall & beam design (storey by storey)
New options to design only active floor members for faster design & detailing especially for large
models.
 BRC mesh reinforcement for slabs
BRC mesh reinforcement (e.g. A & B series) is implemented for slab design & detailing.
 Finite Element Slab Pattern Load
Slab load pattern can be defined on the floor slabs. This is especially useful for flab slab system to
capture design envelopes due to different load patterns.
 Contour Export from FE Floor Post-processor
The moment & reinforcement contours of slabs analysed using FE Floor Analysis can now be exported
& integrated into the main model view for easy review or checking. These can then be exported to
DWG or DXF format for further detailing & final drawing production.
 Finite Element Design of Foundation Systems and Foundation Beams
Pad footings, pile caps, strip footings and mat foundations can be modelled together in a single
structure. Mixed foundation systems can alternatively be analysed and designed by finite element
method. Foundation beams can be check-designed by analytical or FE methods.
 New Strip foundation
Eccentric strip footings can be modelled. Strip footing design, detailing and reporting is enhanced.
 Enhanced Section Database
Comprehensive Continental Singapore and Malaysian steel profiles are included.
 Faster modelling
Significant speed enhancement in model creation, modification and manipulation.
 Faster analysis and design
Analysis and design processes are optimized to deliver results quickly.
 Enhanced Integration with Revit
ProtaStructure utilizes native integration with Revit and now fully supports integration with both
Revit 2016 and 2015 versions. Integration is enhanced with drop panels of flat slab model correctly
imported into Revit.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 4

What’s New in ProtaDetails 2016
ProtaDetails 2016 contains several completely new features and significant enhancements:
 Automated drawing management
Automatically generate beam, column, wall, slab and plan views drawing sheets using auto
arrangement and cutting features to optimise drawing arrangements. New powerful drawing
features implemented such creating concrete beam schedule & complete column/wall elevation
along multiple storeys.
 Drawing sheet management
Together with drawing management, sheet management automatically creates drawing sheet
numbers, revisions and allows full title block flexibility including insertion of company logos,
engineer and drafting names references, drawing names, project numbers, references etc.
 New engineering design macros
New pile cap, stair, retrofit walls & scaffolding engineering design & detailing macros to various
codes of practice.
 New element detailing macros
Shearwall, pit foundation, culverts detailing macros for easy production of structural elements
drawings.
 New Reinforcement Insertion, creation & editing features
Rebar insertion are more easily accessible now with new features to easily create intelligent,
parametric rebar objects such as ‘Insert to Formwork’ & ‘Convert to Rebar’.
 Tables can be converted to report
All tables created in ProtaDetails can be converted to a standard report which can be exported as
PDF, Word or html file.
 Batch export of DXF / DWG
All drawings can be batch exported as generic DXF / DWG files compatible with common CAD
software.
 Enhanced performance
Drawing generation is greatly accelerated. General speed and performance of ProtaDetails
significantly enhanced.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 5

1. Slab Meshing in Building Analysis
This new feature enables meshed slabs to be considered together with the building analysis, i.e. the
stiffness of the slab can be considered acting together with the frame elements (beams, columns and
walls). This is a useful feature if you are modelling transfer plates where walls and columns may sit
directly on a slab or you wish to look more closely at the interaction of the slab together with the frame.
The meshing will also allow slopes and drops (or more unusual geometry) to be considered.

This option can be found in a the new tab “Slab Model” in the Building Analysis tab :

The following is the explanation of the Slab Model Tab :

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 6

  Storey Diaphragm Model options work as previous version. If No Rigid Diaphragm is chosen,
then semi-rigid diaphragm will be considered based on the In-plane (Membrane) Stiffness value
entered under Slab Stiffness Coefficients.
 If Include Slabs in Building Analysis is checked, one can specify which storeys to include by
clicking on Storeys to be Meshed button.
 The mesh uniformity can be controlled by specifying different Min. And Max. Shell Size.
 “Yield Line” or “FE Load Decomposition” can completely ignored by selecting Transfer Slab
Loads from Shell Elements.
 In this case, only self weight, beam wall loads and additional correction loads are applied on
beams.
 Slab self weight, live load and additional dead loads are applied on shells as “Shell Pressure”
 Patch Load, Line Load and Point Loads are auto-calculated and applied on the mesh.
 Include Column Sections allows rigid perimeter of the column to be considered. The slab
will be meshed to the perimeter of the column rather than the centreline.
 Slab Stiffness Coefficients > In-plane (Membrane) for slab shells can be changed :
 This option can simulate semi-rigid floor diaphragms. To activate it, “No Rigid Diaphragm
Floor Levels” should be selected.
 If “Storey Diaphragm Model” is considered (i.e. set to either “Slabs to Define Rigid
Diaphragm” or “Single Diaphragm per Floor Level”), the membrane stiffnesses will be
ignored since the shells will be infinitely rigid in-plane.
 If a value of “0” is entered for membrane stiffness, “No Rigid Diaphragm” option should not
be selected. Otherwise, there will be instability in the analysis.
 Slab Stiffness Coefficients > Bending Stiffness (out of plane) for slab shells can be changed :
 Minimum value for Bending Stiffness multplier is “0.01”. In this case, the bending
contribution is practically ignored.
 Ribbed and Waffle slabs can be included. Only beams are considered; the plates are included as
UDL

The result of the analysis can be viewed in the Post Analysis Tab > FE Slab Model Analysis Result

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 7

  Choose the storey from the drop down menu
 FE Floor Post Processor will start where results such as displacements & required reinforcment
contours can be examined graphically.

Alternatively, access the Analysis Model and Results plot view the behaviour of the entire structure :
 Choose Model and Analysis Results in Post Analysis tab
 User various icons in to view displacment, member or shell forces graphically

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 8

2. P-Delta Analysis
Additional forces due to P-delta can be automatically considered in the analysis and design of members.
The advantage is that moment due to slenderness effects may be ignored in accordance with certain
code of practice. The P-Delta analysis can be enabled in the Load Combination Editor as shown below :

P-Delta is a non-linear effect that occurs in every structure where elements are subject to axial loads. It
is a genuine effect that is associated with the magnitude of the applied axial load (P) and a displacement
(delta). There are two P-Delta effects :
 P-“Big” delta (P-∆) which is a structure effect
 P-“little” delta (P-δ) which is a member effect

The P-Delta Analysis method implemented is a two-pass iterative approach :

 Firstly, the geometric stiffness matrix is calculated (by iteration) for G, Q, QP1, QP2, G+Q
 For design load cases, [Ke + Kg] is used to incorporate second order effects.
 For example, for G+Q+E combination : G, Q are solved using [Ke + Kg (G,Q)] and E loadcases are
solved using [Ke + Kg (G+Q)].

The analysis inherently calculates the addtional forces due to P-Delta effect which then merge seamlessly
with the design of members.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 9

3. Enhanced Visual Interrogation
The Active Window Settings and Visual Interrogation has been enhanced by adding more coloring criteria
and re-organizing the criteria by categories to make it easier to review your project models.

Section and Material category has been added to include:

 Column Sections
 Beam Sections
 Wall thickness
 Slab thicknesses

Display Transfer Columns and Walls on Plan under Column Plan Display enables discontinuous columns
and walls to be shown on the plan view (as below).

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 10

4. Seismic Analysis, Design & Detailing
ProtaStructure incorporates a comprehensive solution for seismic design of building structures. Analysis
and design can now be carried out in compliance with Eurocode 8 for Malaysia & Singapore National
Annex. The Malaysia National Annex to ‘EuroCode 8 : Design of structures for earthquake resistance’ is
now fully implemented (it should be noted that this is presently a draft standard) :
 In the Building Analysis menu, pick Parameters and choose your preferred loadings code. For
example Eurocode 8 (My) for seismic analysis and design in Malaysia :

 Pick Seismic Parameters & the seismic parameter dialog will appear

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 11

  Pick the desired Seismic Zone (Peninsular, Sarawak or Sabah)
 Review the other parameters such as Ductility Level & Ground Type and click OK to save & exit.
Note : Ductility level has a big impact on the design philosophy with DCM and DCH levels adopting
a plastic (or capacity) design and detailing approach. Users can also define their own response
spectra curves which can be saved into your own library.

Analysis tab
 Apply Accidental Eccentricity (5%) is checked automatically in
accordance with the selected seismic code.
 Damping Ratio of 5% is normally applied for concrete
structure. User can change this.
 Damping Correction Factor automatically applied in
accordance with the selected seismic code & cannot be
changed.
 Number of Modes to consider default is 6. Increase if
necessary to achieve 90% cumulative mass participation.
 Structural Usage or Type – user must decide & choose this.

Structural Irregularities
 Checks irregularities of Plan & Elevation automatically which affects the
behavior factor q, especially for DCM & DCH.
 Regularity in plan may influence magnitude of seismic action via
overstrength factor. A conservative approach is to consider the
structure to be irregular in plan & ignore enhancement (increase) to the
behavior factor q (i.e. higher seismic force).
 Regularity in elevation would determine if any reduction in behavior
factor q is needed. A conservative approach is to assume structure to
be irregular in elevation & apply 20% reduction to behavior factor q.
 If DCL is chosen & q = 1.5 & model response spectrum analysis is carried
out, then irregularities checks can be omitted.

 Go to Loading Combination & use the Loading Generate to auto-generate the seismic load cases
& combinations.

 Equivalent Static Load method is only

applicable to buildings with fundamental
period of vibration smaller than 2 sec & to
buildings that are regular in elevation. This
method gives more conservative result.
 Modal Response Spectrum method should
be used if the former method is unsuitable.
This is a more rigorous & comprehensive
approach to more accurately capture the
lateral distribution of forces along the height
of building.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 12

5. Soil-Structure Interaction
This feature enables foundations to be integrated into building analysis model for more accurate
assessment of building behaviour. For example, effects of how the settlement of foundation will influence
the forces in the superstructure members can be investigated.

This feature can be accessed by selecting Merged Foundation Model via the Building Analysis menu >
Model Options > Soil-Structure Interaction:

The following are the steps to use Merged Foundation Model :

1. Model the superstructure and the foundation in ST00
2. Run Building Analysis
3. Go to ST00 (foundation level)
4. Run FE Raft Foundation Analysis
5. Re-run Building Analysis
6. Examine the behaviour of the structure in the Analysis Model and Results Display
Note : Soil spring stiffness can be adjusted locally in the properties of each raft foundation panel or
globally in the FE Raft Foundation Analysis Parameters.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 13

6. Pile Cap Design & Detailing
A comprehensive pile cap design solution has been implemented which automatically design piles
arrangement, pile cap depth & reinforcements. This covers both regular and eccentric pile positions.
Rationalisation of design with grouping can also be easily performed. Pile cap detail drawings, pile cap
schedules & quantity extraction can all be seamlessly generated in ProtaDetails.
The general steps are as follows :
1. Run Building Analysis to get the column/wall foundation loads
2. Go to ST00 (foundation level)
3. Go to Settings  Foundation Design Settings  Pile Base to review the design settings.
4. Design a pile cap for a single column or batch design pile caps for multiple columns
Single pile cap
To design a single pile cap, select a column  right-click  Insert Pile Cap. This will launch the Single Pile
Cap Design menu & automatically design the piles arrangement & pile cap reinforcement.

This module is identical to the ProtaDetails engineering design macro of same name. Please refer to Pile
Cap (Single) under ‘New engineering design macros’ in ProtaDetails 2016.
Bath Design of Pile Caps (multiple columns)
To design multiple pile caps in one go, select multiple columns  right-click  Insert Pile Cap. This will
launch the Pile Cap Batch Design module which auto design all the pile caps in a batch.

Please refer to Pile Cap (Batch) under ‘New engineering design macros’ in ProtaDetails 2016.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 14

7. Model Merging
Model merging is a great feature for allowing you to deliver projects faster than ever before. Different
parts of a building can be simultaneously created and then combined together, significantly reducing
model development time and allowing more than one person to work on different parts of a project.
The function is available from File > Model/File Import > Load Building Model.
For the import to be successful, it is essential that the model to be imported are all started as a new
project and not created from copy of the current project using the Save Project As function.

Select the project to be imported and choose the desired option:

 Import Axis System from Other Projects
This option is sued to import axis system of an existing project to a new project without any
predefined axis. This is useful if you intend to import storeys from different project as the axis
system must be identical for successful import.
 Import Only Foundation Columns
All columns and walls stumps of a project can be imported to the current model for shared
foundation modelling. Imported columns will not be part of the analysis of the current model;
the results will be taken from the original project. Load cases of the imported model must be
identical to the current project.
 Import a Complete Project
Import a different project completely as a new building block to a chosen location. Choose Load
Model to proceed to pick the location of Model Insertion by inputting the ∆ x and ∆ y followed
by picking Move Model. A preview of the imported model will be shown in grey on the plan
view.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 15

 Alternatively, the model insertion can be done by Dragging Two Points in the plan view.
 Import Storeys from Different Project
Selected storeys of a different project can be imported to the current model.
Choose the model to be imported and pick Load Model. In the next dialog, enter the storeys to
be imported from the source storey and enter the first target storey.

For the import to be successful, the imported model must have the exact same axes system and
labels as the current model. Carefully read the requirements of the import in the dialog.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 16

8. New Report Manager
ProtaStructure allows you now to create your own customised reports which can be automatically
combined, indexed, and shared.
The Report Manager is accessible from File menu and consist of 3 panes as follows :

Report Sets Reports Repository Notifications

 Report Sets (left) : This shows the constituent reports which will be complied & combined into a
single final report
 Reports Repository (middle) : These are all the individual reports that are generated and
available to be included as a Report Set.
 Notifications (right) : Important notes and warnings form the analysis of the model is shown for
easy reference

The steps to create a combined report set are as follow:

 Select New in the Report Sets ribbon and give the new report set a name.
 Select Add All Available reports in the Reports window in include only reports that are
available and generated in the report repository. Alternatively, click and drag a report from the
Reports Repository into the Report Sets pane.
 Choose to insert Table of Contents and Summary Report using icons just below the
Report Sets ribbon.
 Select View to generate and view the report set.
Other available functions includes loading of company logo  Load Logo , inserting QR Code .
You can include external reports such as sketches & hand calculations  New Report from File .
Reports can be published and shared as PDF files, word documents or as images or web page.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 17

9. Curved, Circle & multi-segment sketch line
Creating irregular shaped slabs and columns has never been easier with the new sketch line tool.
The sketch line icon is accessible via the member toolbar at the top:

Slab/Column Edge (Line/Arc)

 Select this function & left-click continuously to form the multiple straight lines or arc.
 Switch between line & arc by right clicking or pressing “a” or “l” on the keyboard.
 First segment can not be an Arc because this method requires a tangent angle to start the arc.
The tangent angle is found using the previous segment.

 End by choosing Finish, or close the polyline with Close command.

 Insert a slab (ensure Type = 1); it will take the shape of the edge lines.

Slab/Column Edge (Arc)

 Left-click on the start and end point of the arc
 Define the offset by pressing F2

Slab/Column Edge (Rectangle)

 Left-click 2 points to create a rectangle
 Press F2 & define the delta x and delta y

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 18

Creating irregular column using sketch line (Convert to Column)
 Draw outline of the column Line, Arc or Rectangle sketchline
Note : Circle sketchline is not intended for column. Please use Section Manager in column
properties.
 Select the skecthline and right-Click > Convert To Column Member

 Click on an intersection of axes to insert the column

 With this feature, user can draw any column shape by snapping to the points in an XRef
drawing.
 The column created can be further edited with user-defined steel layout via Polyline Column
Editor.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 19

10. Eccentric Pad Footings
Column eccentricity can be applied in the Pad Base design dialog by changing ex and ey.

Design Results

 If “Calculate Footing Dimension Automatically” is checked, the footing size will automatically be
increased to pass all design criteria.
 If “Calculate Footing Dimension Automatically” is unchecked, then the footing size will not be
auto-sized and the user should increase the size Lx and/or Ly manually & ensure that design
achieves all pass status.
 The design criteria and status are shown clearly in lower part of the menu; any failures will be
highlighted in red.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 20

11. Base Isolator Analysis and Design
Base isolators are increasingly being used to isolate buildings in high seismic zones to minimise relative
displacements during an earthquake, minimising damage to building superstructures. Isolators will
increase local displacement capacity and flexibility where installed, increasing the fundamental period of
the structure and reducing floor accelerations and potential damage during a seismic event.

Seismic isolators can be inserted by selecting the column (usually ST01) > right-click > Insert Base
Isolator.

The possible Isolator Type are Lead Rubber Bearing, Friction Pendulum & Triple Pendulum.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 21

12. Enhanced model and view export
3D DXF/DWG and STL files can be created and shared more easily than ever before.
The view & model export options are accessible via File > Model/File Export :

Export DXF/DWG file & Export Image (as jpeg) of Active View
 Firstly, create the plan or 3D view you want to export by right-clicking on the “Views” in
Structure Tree. The available views that can be exported can be chosen from the dropdown list

 Export to picture is useful for exporting images like slab live load loading plans (as below).

Export STL File (3D Printer)

 Select one member (preferable in a 3D view)
 Choose function Export STL File & save the file
 Double-click the STL file and Windows 3D Builder program will open it automatically.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 22

13. Faster column/wall & beam design (by storey)
New options are now available to design only active floor members for faster design & detailing,
especially useful for managing the delivery of large projects. The following are the steps :
 Choose Columns node in Structure Tree > Right-click > Column Section Design and Detailing
(Current Storey)

 Similar options are available for beams

 Batch Design the columns > Ensure that Update Column/Wall Steel Bars is chosen

Update Column/Wall Steel Bars

 If this option is unchecked, the
reinforcement detail will not be prepared.
This may be useful for preliminary design
or for large models where only design
results are required.
 Once the final design is established, the
steel bars can be prepared by right-clicking
on the column node in the Structure tree
> Update Column/Wall Steel Bars

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 23

  For beams, batch design the beams. Beam reinforcement details are automatically generated.

 Close & exit the Column / Beam Deign window

 Repeat above steps for desired storeys.
 Proceed to ProtaDetails to create the reinforcement drawing. Only columns & beams that been
successfully designed will have reinforcement shown.

14. BRC mesh reinforcement for slabs

BRC mesh reinforcement (e.g. A & B series) is implemented for slab design & detailing. The key steps are
as follows :
 Go to Materials dialog > choose the required Steel Grade & Diameter

 Cut horizontal & vertical Slab Strips & reinforcement will be automatically designed.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 24

15. Finite Element Slab Pattern Load
Slab load pattern can be defined on the floor slabs. This is especially useful for flab slab system to capture
design envelopes due to different load patterns.
1. Click on Finite Element Slab Pattern Loading Definition
1

4
2
3
0

2. Select the Load Pattern Case

3. Click on the slab label to load (colored in red) or unload it (colored in grey).
4. Select the next Load Pattern Case and repeat as desired.
Note : QP1 will auto inherit GP1 load pattern; similarly QP2 = GP2. There is no need to define live load
patterns if you have already done so for dead loads.
In the FE Floor Analysis, the pattern loads will be applied as pressure loads on the plate elements (as
shown in the FE Post-Processor below)

Loaded Unload
load values shown zero load values
wn

Note : If you choose to mesh floor slab in Building Analysis, the same pattern load definition will be taken
into account. Go to the Analysis Model and Results Display to examine the results.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 25

16. Contour Export from FE Floor Post-processor
The various contours of slabs analysed using FE Floor Analysis can now be exported & integrated into
the main model view for easy review. These can then be exported to DWG or DXF format for further
detailing & final drawing production:
1. Select any Load Combination and Effects in FE Floor Analysis Post-Processor.
2. Draw Standard, Custom or Threshold contours.
3. Select Export Contours button.

2 3

 There are more options in the drop downlist of Standard Contours, e.g. contours can be shown
on actual displaced shape using Contours on Displacement.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 26

 4. The exported contours will be listed in Active Vew Settings and Visual Interrogation dialog for
the related storey.

 If the active view points to another storey, the list will be empty or populated only with the
contours for that particular storey.
 Contours can be viewed on Plan or 3D views. However, for 3D Views, only one contour (for one
storey) can be displayed at any given time.
 Contour can be displayed together with other conditions in Visual Interrogation. The legends
will be stacked on top of each other.
 To export the contours as DWG / DXF, go to File > Model / File Export.
 Please refer to the topic Enhanced model and view export for more details.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 27

17. Automated drawing & sheet management
Beam, column, wall, slab and plan drawings can be automatically generated onto drawing sheets using
auto arrangement and cutting features to optimise drawing arrangements.
The default drawing sheets templates are stored in C:\Users\User\Documents\ProtaLib\Sheets’ folder.
Any company specific drawing templates should be copied to this folder.
Open the project in ProtaDetails > Draw All Model Details :

1 3

c
d

a 4
2
b
1. Choose the type of details to be generate
2. Check Insert to Sheet
3. Select the required Sheet & fill up the Sheet Name & other information
4. Chose OK > the details will be inserted into the selected Sheet

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 28

17.1 Additional Drawing Generation Options
The following are new features in the drawing detail generation dialog :
a. Draw on Separate Files : Generate various drawings as separate DWG files

b. Generate Sheet List : Creates a table showing sheet Prefix and Sheet Name

c. Insert Model Info : Inserts a table showing project information summary such as code of practice
& material properties.

d. Insert Concrete Beam Schedule : Creates a summary table showing concrete beam rebars & links
at various location along the beam.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 29

17.2 Crop Beam Elevation
If the beam details do not fit into the sheet, you can use the crop function :

1 1. Pick Crop Beam Elevation (via Function drop

down)
2. Click 2 points to cut a line across the detail to
be crop
2
3. Click on the location to place the cropped part
Beam sections can be moved using Move
function (similar to AutocCad).

17.3 Generate Column Through Storeys

Checking this option in the Column Elevation Draw Details will generate column/wall elevation showing
reinforcement bars across multiple storeys.

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 30

17.4 Go to Detail
The Details tabs links member details and the drawing files in which it is inserted. By selecting the
member > right-click > Go to Detail will automatically open the drawing, locate & zoom to the member.

18. New engineering design macros

The engineering design macros are accessible from Design Libraries (top menu) :
 Pile Cap (single) New
 Pile Cap (batch) New
 Stairs New
 Retrofit Wall New
 Scaffold New
 Design Report Manager Enhanced
 Cantilever Retaining Wall
These macros includes analysis, design & detailing with reinforcement quantity report. The macros will
inherit the Settings & Parameters, e.g. code of practice, concrete & steel grade of the opened project.
Before running a macro, it is recommended to go the Settings drop down menu at the top to review or
modify the various settings.
All design reports generated in the macro are automatically saved and available for compilation in the
Design Report Manager (under ‘Other Structure Components’) :

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18.1 Pile Cap (Single)
A comprehensive pile cap design solution has been implemented. This covers both regular and eccentric
pile positions (where piles may have moved during installation). This macro checks & designs the pile
cap and produces drawings (including as-built details) and design calculations. There are two methods
to use this calculation:
 Check Mode : Manually input the number of piles, pile cap depth, etc and the output & design
summary window automatically updates and shows pass/fail status.
 Design Mode : Input the key design parameters such as min & max pile cap depth, etc and
choose Design to automatically select the optimal number of piles & auto design the pile cap &
reinforcement.
Input / Output Pile Cap Preview
1

Design Summary

4
5
1. Geometry
 Pile Cap : This is the starting menu where pile cap geometry, size, capacity, etc is defined.
 Piles Location : Shows the coordinates of the piles. Eccentricities can be defined and
checked automatically.
2. Analysis
 Material : Input concrete grade, rebars grade & unit cost of materials for Optimization
process.
 Options : Choose bending and shear design method and settings such as min & max pile
cap depth.
 Column Loads : Design column loads and combination can be defined. Combination &
loads can be user-defined by keying values in the table or imported from a CSV file (setup
in Excel & saved as CSV file as shown below) :

Note : The first row (header) will be ignored in the import; i.e. the exact text is inconsequential.

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 3. Output
 Axial Loads : Shows the resultant axial loads of each pile & the pass/fail status.
 Rebars : Shows the design reinforcement & the pass/fail status.
 Report : Select report options & create the design report.
 Results : Show a summary of the design.
 Optimization : List other possible candidates of pile cap arrangement & design to achieve
a more economy based on the unit cost of material defined.
The Output & Design Summary dialog will auto-refresh to show pass or fail status.
4. Design
Select Design to automatically select pile numbers and arrangement, pile cap depth and steel
bar design. The key design criteria is the least number of piles. However, this might not be the
most economical; use Optimization to investigate other arrangement based on cost criteria.
5. Pick OK & click on a position in the drawing to place the pile cap detail.

Note : The same pile cap design can be done in ProtaStructure by selecting a column in ST00 
right-click  Insert Pile Cap.

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18.2 Pile Cap (Batch)
This macro can automatically design multiple pile caps from your ProtaStructure model. Rationalisation
of design with grouping can also be easily performed. External base reactions from other software can
also be imported for batch design. The general steps are:
a. Ensure that the project is analysed in ProtaStructure (to obtain the column base reactions)
b. Open the same project in ProtaDetails
c. Run the macro Pile Cap (Batch)

1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

By default, all the columns of the ProtaStructure model will be included for pile cap design.
1. Selection
Click on any row to select it. Hold down CTRL key for multiple select. Selection ribbon at the top
has options to Select All, Unselect All rows & Reverse Selection.
2. Pile Cap Details
Double-click on any of the column label will launch the single pile cap macro with input, output
and design details (as documented in the previous section). All the column design loads and
combination are automatically imported from the ProtaStructure model.
3. Add / Remove Pile Cap
Add or remove a pile cap. If you add a pile cap, ensure to double-click on the row to access the
pile cap details and input the design loads.
4. Design
Check Design will only check and not change the number or piles or pile cap size & rebars.
Check Design will check the adequacy of the pile caps and only re-design if the pile cap fails.
Redesign all will re-design all the pile caps fresh with the current settings.
Design Selected will launch the single pile cap design for the selected column row.
5. Grouping
Columns can be grouped to yield a single pile cap design using the grouping options:
Group Selected : Multiple select the column rows to be grouped (hold down CTRL key) and
then choose this option.
Group by Piles : This will simply group the pile cap with the same no of piles into a single group
Ungroup : Break up previously grouped pile caps.
6. Foundation Settings : Key foundation settings can be reviewed or changed.
Design log : shows key design checks and summary.
7. Import from CSV
Columns and column loads can imported from a CSV file. Ensure that column and forces are
setup in the format below in Excel and then save it as CSV file.

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 Note : The first row (header) will be ignored in the import; i.e. the exact text is inconsequential.
8. Export to Excel : Export the pile cap design & reinforcement (pile cap schedule) to Excel.
Export to Report : Export the pile cap schedule to a standard report. The report will also be
automatically saved & available for compilation in the Design Report Manager.
9. Draw Selected Pile Cap : Produce the pile cap details drawing. If multiple pile caps is chosen, left
click continuously on the drawing space to place the pile cap details.

Note : The same batch pile cap design can be done in ProtaStructure by selecting multiple columns in
ST00  right-click  Insert Pile Cap.

18.3 Stairs
This is a very simple calculation for the design and detailing of various standard staircase configurations.

2
1

1. Choose the Stair Type & Support

2. Enter the various Stair Parameters
3. Calculate and then generate the Report and Detail.

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19. New element detailing macros
The element detailing macros are accessible from Element Detailing (top menu) :
 Culvert New
 Pad Footing Enhanced
 Shearwall Enhanced
 Pit Foundation Enhanced

These macros are very easy to use & produce the detailing of elements on the fly as shown below.

Reinforcement can be easily inserted into the drawing elements using the vious reinforcement insertion
tool bars. The next section describes these functions in detail.

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20. New reinforcement insertion, creation & editing features
Creating your own customised reinformcement detailing has never been easier in ProtaDetails.
Reinforcement Insertion options are now collected in a single menu called Reinforcement.

Insertion method commands are removed from

Property Window of the rebar object.

20.1 Insert To Formwork (new rebar insertion)

This function allows you to easily insert rebar based on the outline of a polyline object or objected
created from the element detailing macro :
 Draw a standard polyline or a formwork using “Pit Foundation” macro.
 Activate the Insert To Formwork command. A setting dialog will be pinned at the upper left
corner.

 Pick one edge of the polyline and then select the side the rebar will be placed (as show above)
 Continue by picking Edge > Side > Edge > Side > .... (eg. in number sequence as shown above)
 If the consecutivey selected edges are intersecting, then rebar will follow the edges.
 If two selected consecutive edge is not intersecting, the rebar will be extended to second edge.
The direction to extend is decided by the point clicked on the segment.

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  Depending on the options you select on the settings dialog, the first and last segment of rebar
will be untouched, shortened by concrete cover or elongated by anchorage length (or a
distance you enter)
 Specify the Scale Factor (if the detail beig produced is different than the global drawing scale.)
 Specify the Usage parameter. Bar Annotation, bar labels etc. will be determined by the
material grade settings.
 You can Undo / Redo the segment creation or Cancel the operation.
20.2 Editing Rebar Segments
Segments of any existing rebar in ProtaDetails can be edited:
 Segment lengths can be changed. You can choose to shorten the segment by concrete cover
amount or you can explicitly specify a value.
 New segments can be added using existing boundaries.
To edit a rebar:
 Select the rebar and choose Right Click > Edit. "Insert Rebar" dialog will open in upper-left
corner.

 You can add or remove the existing segments by using BACK and FORWARD buttons.
 Click on the BACK button 3 times to delete last 3 segments. You can also use CTRL+Z shortcut.
 To draw the segments back, you can use FORWARD button or CTRL+Y shortcut.
 New segments can be added by selecting boundary edges and picking rebar segment side.

 To add new different segments, set the length parameters on Insert Rebar dialog.

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  Pick a different boundary edge and then pick the side where the rebar segment will be placed.

 First and last segment lengths can be automatically calculated in accordance with the selected
code of practice. Alternatively, you can explicitly set the segment lengths.
 You can draw the first and last segments shorter by an amount of concrete cover.
 Other segment lengths are automatically calculated using the boundary geometry and the scale
factor specified by the user.
 Click OK or hit ENTER to finish the operation. The rebar object (previewed during operation) will
now be drawn automatically.
 To cancel the operation click CANCEL button or just hit ESC.
 Further editing on the rebar object can be done using the Rebar Properties window or using the
Dynamic Rebar Grips shown on the rebar itself.

20.3 Convert Polyline to Rebar (enhanced)

This function easily converts any polyline to a rebar object :
 Draw a polyline (can key “pl” in the command line)
 Select Reinforcement > Rebar > Convert To Rebar
 Select the Polyline to convert. A setting dialog will be pinned on upper left corner

ProtaStructure ProtaDetails 2016 – What’s New 39

  You can click on any existing polyline objects sequentially to convert them to rebar objects
quickly. This feature is especial developed for quantifying existing DWG files having primitive
polyline rebar drawings.
 You can select a rebar object and Right Click > Edit. This way, you can edit / append /remove
the segments of an existing rebar.

21. Tables can be converted to report

Any tables in ProtaDetails can easily be added to your design reports.
 Select the table object in drawing > right-click > Add to Report > Enter report name > OK
 The table will automatically be inserted as report in the Report Manager.

This quantity report is automatically saved and available for compilation in the Design Report Manager
(under ‘Other Structure Components’).

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22. Batch export of DXF / DWG
All drawings can be batch exported as generic DXF / DWG files compatible with common CAD software.
It is essential to understand that there are 2 types of DWG drawing file :
1. ProtaDetails DWG file (native) : Any drawings generated in ProtaDetails inherently contains
intelligent / parametric objects that can only be viewed & edited in ProtaDetails.
This native drawing cannot be opened in other CAD editor, e.g. many drawing entities will be
missing.
By default, all native DWG files are saved & stored in SdData folder within the Project Folder.
2. Common DWG file (generic) : Drawings that can be opened in any CAD editor / viewer. To open
ProtaDetails drawings in other CAD software, it is necessary to export them as common DWG
files.
By default exported common DWG files are saved in ExportedDrawings folder within the
Project Folder.
It is important not to confuse and overwrite these 2 files which have the same DWG file extensions.
Hence, it is recommended not to change the default file locations.
The steps to export ProtaDetails drawings to common DWG files are as follows :
1. Go to File > Export to DWG or Export to DXF

2. Select the files to be exported

3. By default drawings will be exported to ExportedDrawings folder. This can be changed by
clicking on …
4. Choose the Version of DWG > OK

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