1. Frame Section Property Type drop-down list.

Select a material property for this frame section

definition from this drop-down list.

2. {Section Type} buttons. Choose the type of section to be imported by clicking on the button
that has a graphical representation of the frame section type. The buttons available depend on
the type of material property selected from the Frame Section Property Type drop-down list.
The following types of sections can be imported.

1.
 Frame Section Property Type: Aluminum or Steel


o I/Wide Flange Section
o Channel Section
 Frame Section Property Type: Steel


o Tee Section
o Angle Section
o Double Angle Section
o Double Channel Section
 Frame Section Property Type: Steel or Concrete


o Box/Tube Section
o Pipe Section
 Frame Section Property Type: Concrete


o Rectangular Section
o Circular Section
o Precast I
 Frame Section Property Type: Other


o General Section

3. Depending on the {Section Type} selected in Step 2, the program may display a form that lists
the individual sections in the database (see Note). That form will display the Section Type,
a Material drop-down list, and a list of the available sections.

Note that clicking on the + (plus) symbol beside the Material drop-down list will display
the Define Materials form, which can be used to adjust the material property for the section
definition.
 Click on one section in the list to select it for import, or click here to learn about methods for
selecting multiple sections. The program will then display a {Type} Section form for the
selected type of section.

Note: If the program displays the Section Property File form, a database from which to import the
section must be opened. See Frame Section Databases for a listing of the databases of code-specific
section properties that are included with the program (that is, *.PRO files). The Section Property
File form most likely will display the first time the program is used to import a section. In that case,
selecting the SECTIONS8.PRO file will open a database containing many standard section types. If the
required type of section is not included in the open database(s), an error message will display. In that
case, click the OK button on the message form to close the form. The program will display a {Type}
Section form for the section type. Click the Open File button on that form to redisplay the Section
Property File form; then choose another database until the form described in Step 3 displays.

TIP: When sections are imported, most of the options on the {Type} Section form will be inactive and
available for review purposes only. To change any of the parameters, click the OK button on the {Type}
Section form to import the section and return to the Frame Properties form; then highlight the newly
imported section and click the Modify/Show button to redisplay the {Type} Section form with the
options in editable format.

Access the Import Frame Section Property form as follows:

1. Click the Define menu > Section Properties > Frame Sections command, or select a frame
object and click the Assign menu > Frame > Frame Sections command, to access
the Frame Sections form. The Frame Properties form also can be accessed by clicking the
+ (plus) symbol that may appear next to a Section {Beam, Column, Chord, Brace} drop-down
list, such as appears on the {Template} forms.

2. Click the Import New Property button.