{"id":33672,"date":"2026-04-27T12:59:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T12:59:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/protasoftware.com\/technical-manuals\/structural-modelling\/working-with-columns\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T12:37:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T12:37:45","slug":"working-with-columns","status":"publish","type":"wiki","link":"https:\/\/protasoftware.com\/wiki\/working-with-columns\/","title":{"rendered":"Working With Columns"},"content":{"rendered":"

Defining a New Column<\/span><\/span><\/b>
<\/span><\/h1>\n

Before inserting a column member its reference axes must be defined. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Column can only be inserted on insertion point defined by intersection of 2 axes. <\/span><\/p>\n

To define a new column member (Concrete\/Steel): <\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
    \n
  1. Display the storey level in the drawing area which will contain the top of the column.<\/span>
    <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. To create concrete column, pick \u201c<\/span><\/span>Column<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d from the \u201c<\/span><\/span>Modelling<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d ribbon at RC Members section. <\/span><\/span>
    <\/span><\/li>\n
  3. To create steel column, pick \u201c<\/span><\/span>Column<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d from the \u201c<\/span>Modelling<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d at Steel Members section.<\/span>
    <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Edit the fields in the "<\/span><\/span>Column Properties<\/span><\/span><\/i>" form. For example, enter the column label in the "<\/span><\/span>Label<\/span><\/span><\/i>" field (max. 8 characters) to modify the section dimensions and eccentricities.<\/span>
    <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  5. To insert the column, click on the required reference point in the either the plan view drawing area or the 3D view. You have to pick an axis intersection as the insertion point.<\/span>
    <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Labels of the reference axes will be shown in \u201c<\/span><\/span>Top<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d and \u201c<\/span><\/span>Bot<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d fields on \u201c<\/span><\/span>Column Properties<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d form. <\/span><\/span>
    <\/span><\/li>\n
      \n
    1. The same axes intersections will be written in these fields when the column is first defined. In this case, column will be placed vertically along the storey levels. <\/span><\/span>
      <\/span><\/li>\n
    2. In order to define a column that is inclined along the storey levels, \u201c<\/span><\/span>Top<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d and \u201c<\/span><\/span>Bot<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d fields must be changed later on. Changing the insertion axes of a column is explained under \u201c<\/span><\/span>Insertion Axes<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d title of this section.<\/span>
      <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    3. Multiple columns with the same properties can be inserted at the same time by dragging a window enclosing multiple intersection of axes. Columns will be inserted at every axes intersection within the window.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Editing an Existing Column<\/span><\/b><\/h1>\n
      In order to edit an existing column:
      <\/span><\/div>\n
        \n
      1. Select an existing column.
        <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      2. Right-click and select the \u201cProperties\u201d menu option. <\/span><\/span>
        <\/span><\/li>\n
      3. Alternatively, double left-click on a column to bring out the Properties menu. 
        <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      4. Modify the fields in the "<\/span><\/span>Column Properties<\/span><\/span><\/i>" form.
        <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      5. Press the "<\/span><\/span>Update<\/span><\/span><\/i>" button in the \u201c<\/span><\/span>Properties<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d form.
        <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Right-clicking on any one of the \u201c<\/span><\/span>b1<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d, \u201c<\/span><\/span>b2<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d, \u201c<\/span><\/span>e1<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d, or \u201c<\/span><\/span>e2<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d fields will load a list of commonly used values that may facilitate data entry.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
        <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        You can repeat this process on as many members as you wish. One member at a time can be edited by this method. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        \n

        Editing Multiple Columns<\/span><\/b>
        <\/h1>\n
        If you want to update several columns at once, you can :<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
          \n
        1. Multiple select columns to be edit > Right-Click > Properties <\/span><\/span>
          <\/span><\/li>\n
        2. Column Table dialog will be shown where you can display & edit properties in a group<\/span><\/span>
          <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          Alternatively, with no columns selected :<\/span><\/div>\n
            \n
          1. Right-Click anywhere in the modelling view
            <\/span><\/li>\n
          2. Select "Member Tables"  > Column Tables
            <\/span><\/li>\n
          3. Column Table will show all columns in the active Storey <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            <\/span><\/div>\n
            \n
            \"Notes\"Refer to this article for details :  <\/span>Display and Edit Member Properties<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

            Update Column End Conditions<\/span><\/span><\/b>
            <\/span><\/h1>\n

            To change the end conditions for multiple columns at the same time:<\/span><\/span><\/span>
            <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Select the existing column(s).
              <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            2. Right-click and select \u201c<\/span><\/span>Update Column End Conditions<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d.
              <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            3. Choose the required end conditions, i.e. Fix or Hinge
              <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            4. Press the "Apply to Selected Columns\u201d, \u201cApply to All Columns in Current Storey" or "Apply to All Columns in the Model" as required.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              C<\/span>olumn Properties<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n
              "<\/span><\/span>Column Properties<\/span><\/span><\/i>" will be loaded when the "<\/span><\/span>Column<\/span><\/span><\/i>" icon in the "<\/span><\/span>Modelling<\/span><\/span><\/i>" ribbon is clicked.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
              The \u201c<\/span><\/span>Column Properties<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d form comprises 2 pages named as \u201c<\/span><\/span>Gen<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d = General & \u201cGeo\u201d = Geometry. You can shift between pages by pressing the related tab heading.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

              The \u201c<\/span><\/span>Column Properties<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d form can also be accessed after selecting an existing column and then by right-clicking and choosing the \u201c<\/span><\/span>Properties<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d option in the shortcut menu. <\/span><\/span><\/span>
              <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              When the \u201c<\/span><\/span>Column Properties<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d form is open, right clicking on a new column member in plan window and selecting the \u201c<\/span><\/span>Select and Load Properties<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d option in the shortcut menu will load the properties of the new member in the same window.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              The General tab<\/b> consists of the following fields \/ options : 
              <\/span><\/div>\n

              <\/span><\/div>\n
              <\/span><\/div>\n
              <\/div>\n
              <\/div>\n

              Label<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

              The label that will identify the column can be entered in this field. This field (after formatted to be a proper label) is limited to 8 characters. A text control spin button exists to the right of the label field to facilitate the creation of successive label text.<\/span>
              <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              As in all member types, column member labels will be listed in the \u201c<\/span><\/span>Structure Tree<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d under the related storey heading. This list can be used to select a member by label.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
              <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              Repeating member labels is not permitted in a building. During the insertion of members the program will sound an alarm and a warning message will appear in the status bar if a repeating member label is detected.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              Len (Length Storey)  <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

              Enter the number of storeys the column spans. Generally, every column spans one storey in building type structures. If the column span more than one storey, the number of storeys can be defined in this field.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
              <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              For example, if a column in the 4<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup> <\/span><\/span><\/span>storey spans to the 2<\/span><\/span>nd<\/span><\/span><\/sup> <\/span><\/span><\/span>storey top level, this means that the column will exist along 4<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup> <\/span><\/span><\/span>and 3<\/span><\/span>rd<\/span><\/span><\/sup> <\/span><\/span><\/span>storeys. Therefore, "<\/span><\/span>2<\/span><\/span><\/b>" must appear in the "<\/span><\/span>Len (Storey)<\/span><\/span><\/i>" field.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
              <\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
              \n
              \"Info\" <\/span><\/p>\n
              Column with "Len > 1" will be rendered in grey color in the lower storey(s) where the column is spanning. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
              Hence, if "Len > 1" is used, do not create a new column at the lower storey(s) where the above column is already spanning, overwise they will be overlapping. <\/span> <\/span><\/div>\n

              <\/span><\/div>\n

              <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

              RC Column Dimensions (b1, b2)<\/span><\/span><\/b>
              <\/h2>\n
              This field is only applicable for square or rectangular concrete column. 
              <\/span><\/div>\n

              \n

              <\/div>\n<\/p>\n
              <\/div>\n
              "<\/span><\/span>b1<\/span><\/span><\/i>" is the section dimension of the column along the direction-1 axis it is inserted and "<\/span><\/span>b2<\/span><\/span><\/i>" is the other dimension orthogonal to "<\/span><\/span>b1<\/span><\/span><\/i>" for a rectangular column. If the direction code of the column is "<\/span><\/span>1\/2<\/span><\/span><\/i>", then "<\/span><\/span>b2<\/span><\/span><\/i>" is the dimension of the column along the direction-2 axis at its insertion.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
              <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

              "<\/span><\/span>b2<\/span><\/span><\/i>" dimension must be zero  to define a circular column. When \u201c<\/span><\/span>b2<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d is zero, "<\/span><\/span>b1<\/span><\/span><\/i>" will be the diameter of the circular column.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              <\/div>\n
              \"Notes\"<\/p>\n
              There
              \nis limit to the ratio of the dimension (b2\/b1) of the columns according to
              \nselected code of practice. If the ratio is exceeded, it must be modelled as a
              \nwall instead for column.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

              <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
              For example in British Code, column whose larger
              \ndimension exceeds 4 times the smaller dimension should be designed as wall, as
              \nper BS8110-1997 (Cl.1.3.4.1). <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

              <\/span><\/div>\n

              <\/div>\n
              \n
              Column Eccentricities (e1, e2)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

              "<\/span><\/span>e1<\/span><\/span><\/i>" and "<\/span><\/span>e2<\/span><\/span><\/i>" fields define the eccentricities of the column from the insertion axes along direction 1 and 2, respectively. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              These fields define the eccentricity between the center \/ centroid of the column to the axis intersection.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
              Column eccentricities can be set easily by using the "<\/span><\/span>Insertion Options\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/i>button in the form.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

              Column Insertion Options Button<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

              A set of column insertion option buttons are provided for facilitating the definition of \u201c<\/span><\/span>e1<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d and \u201c<\/span><\/span>e2<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d fields.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
              <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
              \n


              Insertion Options<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

              		\n

              After setting the dimensions of a column, you can easily set the column eccentricities by pressing the \u201c<\/span><\/span>Column Insertion Options<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d button. After pressing this button a window will appear displaying \u201c<\/span><\/span>Eccentricity Option Buttons<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
              <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

              Choosing one of the options available in the \u201c<\/span><\/span>Eccentricity Option Buttons<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d will automatically redefine the \u201c<\/span><\/span>e1<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d and \u201c<\/span><\/span>e2<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d fields. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              The "<\/span><\/span>Update<\/span><\/span><\/i>" button must be pressed to update the selected column with the new eccentricity values.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
              <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

              It should be noted that the eccentricities of the column defined here will not modify the location of the actual analytical frame member used in the analysis model. The frame member will be located on the insertion point of the column.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
              <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              A positive value entered in \u201c<\/span><\/span>Eccentricity (a)<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d field is used to shift the insertion point of the column in both "<\/span><\/span>1<\/span><\/span><\/i>" and "<\/span><\/span>2<\/span><\/span><\/i>" directions. The formulation used can be viewed in the tooltip of relevant buttons.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
              <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              Alternatively, you can control the \u201c<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span><\/i>1\u201d and \u201c<\/span><\/span>e2<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d values using the direction keys of your keyboard. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              In order to modify the eccentricities, first select a column and load the \u201c<\/span><\/span>Properties<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d dialog. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
                \n
              1. Then, when you press left or right keys, the \u201c<\/span><\/span>e1<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d property, when you press up or down keys, the \u201c<\/span><\/span>e2<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d property will be modified and the column is displaced. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
              2. The eccentricity step value can be set using the \u201c<\/span><\/span>Member Section Eccentricity Step<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u201d value in Settings Center > ProtaStructure Environment<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                <\/span><\/span>Alternatively, without bringing out the "Properties" dialog, use keyboard arrow keys directly to move the wall. <\/span><\/div>\n

                Column Anchor Point<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

                A set of column anchor option buttons are provided to anchor a specific point on its section.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
                <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
                \n


                Column Anchor Point Options<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

                		\n

                After you anchored a point on column section, when the section size is changed, the member is automatically resized with reference to the anchor point.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
                <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

                To assign Anchor point via Column Properties window:<\/span><\/span><\/u><\/span>
                <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. Select a column, right-click and choose "<\/span><\/span>Properties<\/span><\/span><\/i>".
                  <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                2. Click on the Anchor icon and choose the desired anchor point.
                  <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  To assign Anchor point via right-click dialog:<\/span><\/span><\/u><\/span>
                  <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. Select a column.
                    <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                  2. Right-click select "<\/span><\/span>Column Section Anchor Point<\/span><\/span><\/i>", choose the desired anchor point.
                    <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    Alternatively, select the column:<\/span><\/span><\/span>
                    <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n