1. Define the storey information for the 1st storey in the building. 
   
2. Storey Height, h , Storey Label and 1st Bottom Storey Level, Level fields must be defined.
   
3. Click OK to close the dialog box.
   

More storeys related information can be studied in Storey Related Controls and Settings section.

3.  Insert more storeys, if the building has more than 1 storey

1. Right click "Storeys" in the Structure Tree > select "Insert Storey " to enter the total number of storeys in the building.
   
2. All storeys will have identical heights as defined by the height of the 1st storey.
   
3. You are therefore advised to define the 1st storey  (ground floor) with a typical height initially, and revise it if necessary after the other storeys have been inserted.
   
4. To edit any of the properties of any storey, user can right click the "Storeys" and pick Edit Storey 

4.  Create axis or grids

1. Axes are the references for all structural members.  Intersection of axes will form joints for member insertion. Therefore, axes must be specified before creating members such as columns, walls & beams. 
   
2. For details on axes refer to Working with Axes section.
   

5.  Create members, i.e. columns, walls, beams & slabs

1. Select the storey at which you want to start defining members by double-clicking the related storey title (St-n) in the Structure Tree.
2. Structural members such as columns, walls, beams and slabs can be defined at this time using intersection of axes as joint for their insertion. Typically columns and walls are defined prior to the beams. More details are available for creating these members in the related sections below.
   
3. For member creation, refer to these articles :  Working with Columns, Working with Walls, Working with RC Beams, Working with Slabs
   
4. Building systems usually consist of similar storeys. You can generate similar storeys above or below the active storey and edit only the differences. To generate a storey pick Generate Storey.
   
5. Member labels are also generated based on the label of the target storey. For example, the beam "1B20 " in the source storey (which is "1 ") will be generated to 4th storey as "4B20 ".
   
6. Floors that are completely similar do not have to be generated in the Graphic Editor. Similar storeys are defined in Edit Storey  menu. 
   

6.  Create the required loads on the members

1. Member loads such as point, UDL can be applied to individual beams, columns and walls by selecting a member > Right-Click > pick Edit Load function. 
   
2. Loads can also be applied on specific storey basis, by double-click on a storey in the structure tree to make in "active" > Go to Loading tab > Pick Load Editor Storey : X 
   
3. Slab area loads are defined in Slab Properties when slab is created.  Other type of slab loads can be created using the "Point, Line and Area Loads" icon.  For details refer here : Working with Slab Loads
   
4. To insert wind load, refer :  Wind and Storey Loads

7.  Check & review the model progressively

1. Create 3D view & use various Visual Interrogation tools to verify the model visually in 3D.  Refer to : 3-D View & Visual Interrogation
   
1. Since all members are rendered to scale it would be easy to spot if member sizes are inputted wrongly. 
   
2. Visual Interrogation dialog allows color coding of different member sizes, slab loads, etc.
2. Check connectivity of members by changing to "Linear" display style in 3D view. 
   
1. This will render the members as single line wire frame instead of default solid display.  The purpose is to check if physical model translate correctly to analytical model (before running actual analysis)
   
2. 
   
3. Refer here for more details :  Preview of Analytical Model using Linear view
3. Run Building Model Check from time to time.  This function traps the most common modelling mistakes or errors. 
   
4. After analysis, interrogate and examine the results carefully via the Analytical Model view, where you can check : 
   
1. Whether the actual analytical model is prepared correctly
   
2. Display details such as frame and nodal loading, system connectivity information, rigid end zones, end releases etc. 
   
3. Display deflections of members and shells
   
4. Display member forces, e.g axial load, shear & moments

8.  Run Building Analysis

1. Upon completion of the building model, pick Building Analysis  to load the Building Analysis form. 
2. Click Load Combinations on the “Pre-Analysis tab” to review the Load Combinations that will be designed for. To generate a different set of combinations click “Loading Generator”.
   
3. Using the Model Options tab, select modelling options for the analysis (eg. Wall model, diaphragm options, etc). 
   
4. Click the "Building Analysis" button to start the analysis process of the building.
   
5. There be option to design the members automatically just after analysis.  We recommend that for 1st and early stages, do not perform design of members. The reason is the results should be verified to be correct and reasonable before performing design. 
   
6. If there are no major modelling mistakes or errors, building analysis should complete successfully. 

9.  Verify if analysis result is correct or reasonable 

1. Check and verify if gravity load are lost in analysis by checking the Axial Load Comparison Report : Overview of Axial Load Comparison Report (Detail Example)
2. Interrogate and examine the results carefully via the Analytical Model view, where you can : 
   
1. Check whether the actual analytical model is prepared correctly
   
2. Display details such as frame and nodal loading, system connectivity information, rigid end zones, end releases etc. 
   
3. Display deflections of members and shells
   
4. Display member forces, e.g axial load, shear & moments