Need help understanding how to use ProSteel

[Arekkul]

Hi,
I would like to ask you for help about ProSteel.
I need to calculate this structure, below.

Please ignore the beams sizes.
How to start to carry this on properly?

My approach would be:

Calculate B1
Calculate B2
Calculate B3 (Bringing forward loads from B1 at R2 in 9 contact points), B5 (Bringing forward loads from B1 at R1 & from B2 at R2), B4 (Bringing forward loads from B2 at R1)
Calculate B6 (Bringing forward loads from B1 at R2 in 10 contact points), B8 (Bringing forward loads from B1 at R1 & from B2 at R2), B7 (Bringing forward loads from B2 at R1)
Calculate B9 (Bringing forward loads from B3 at R2, B5 at R2, B4 at R2 & B6 at R1, B8 at R1, B7 at R1)

Is this method correct?
Sorry, I never had any training, just read the book.

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thank you for help,
Regards
Arek

[Tony Bryer]

Since getting the loads right is critical, if you're not confident about your ability to take off and enter them correctly please take advice from an experienced engineer.

That said, first of all enter beams B1 and B2 - for this reply I'll assume that they are items 1 and 2 in your project, but if you have (say) introductory pages they will have different numbers. It looks like these beams are spaced at more than 600mm so, as you say, their reactions have to be entered as point loads on the primary beams. You can use the B/F (brought forward) option to do this. Add beam 3, enter the location/description and span. Press the B/F button under the span, then select beam 1 and R1 (for consistency I always make R1 the left or top reaction when looking at the plan), and its position measuring from beam 3 R1, then press OK. Repeat this process for each of the other beam 1s - obviously the position will be different each time.

Beam 6 is done in exactly the same way. Beams 4 and 7 are done in a similar way, save that it will be Beam 2, R2. Beam 5 and 8 will have a double lot of loads, the B/F R2 from beam 1 and B/F R1 from beam 2.

Once you've entered the loads. for a quick check select each beam in turn, press the toolbar 'Loads' button and check that what you're seeing on the load diagram corresponds with what you expect.

[Arekkul]

Hi Tony Bryer,

thank you for reply.

Regards,
Arek