Creating the example1 model in ATADS 9

March 2021

Overview
This example covers creating a basic model from scratch, running an analysis, and viewing member
stresses. Below is the basic layout of the tower that we will be modeling.
Loads
𝐴1 90° 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑, 120 𝑚𝑝ℎ 𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
𝐶1 − 𝐶6 𝑇 = 12.3, 𝑉 = 7.9, 𝐿 = 0
𝐺1 𝑇 = 6.1, 𝑉 = 3.0, 𝐿 = 0

𝐴2 60° 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑, 120 𝑚𝑝ℎ 𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟

𝐶1 − 𝐶6 𝑇 = 10.5, 𝑉 = 7.9, 𝐿 = 0
𝐺1 𝑇 = 5.3, 𝑉 = 3.0, 𝐿 = 0

𝐵2𝐷 90° 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑, 56.6 𝑚𝑝ℎ 𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟

𝐶1 − 𝐶6 𝑇 = 5.2, 𝑉 = 12.8, 𝐿 = 14.9 𝐷𝑒𝑎𝑑 − 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑
𝐺1 𝑇 = 2.7, 𝑉 = 4.8, 𝐿 = 7.2 𝐷𝑒𝑎𝑑 − 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑

Notes
3 3 3
Minimum redundant size L1 4 x1 4 x 16

5/8” Bolts
1
Assume L4x4x 4 & 50 ksi for all load carrying members
Start a new model
1. You might find the User’s Guide to be of assistance. You can find the guide in the Main menu.

2. Open ATADS & save the blank model.

3. In the Edit window, select Model Options and the Edit toolbar button. The Edit Model Options
dialog will be displayed. Enter the following information.

a. General tab
Tower ID = Example 1
Tower type = Dead End or Heavy Susp Tower
b. Analysis tab
Truss analysis
c. Bolts tab – the default 5/8” is ok
d. Redundants tab
add Def = L1-3/4x1-3/4x3/16 50 ksi
add A = L2x2x3/16 50 ksi
add B = L2-1/2x2-1/2x3/16 50 ksi
e. Click OK
4. Select Comments and the Edit toolbar button.
Enter “Example Model, “+ initials + date
 5. Select Load Cases and load case 1.
a. Click Edit. Enter:
Load Case = A1
Angle = -90
Velocity = 120
Type = BPA
Click OK.

b. Click Add. Enter Load Case = A2, Angle = -60, Velocity = 120, Type = BPA, Click OK.
c. Click Add. Enter B2D, -90, 56.6, BPA, Click OK.
6. Save the model

Add a body
1. Select Bodies – click Add
Label = 46’.

2. Double click Bodies to expand the list of available bodies.

3. Save the model
Add joints
The Z axis is always up and the X axis is along the transmission line. Joints are either primary or
secondary. Primary joints are included in the analysis and secondary are not. ATADS automatically
determines if a joint is primary or secondary.

A few joints are defined by entering X, Y, and Z values directly. These are called “Key” joints. ATADS uses
the ICD value to create additional joints based on the coordinates of the specified joint. “ICD” comes
from the original BPA Tower Analysis program written in the 1960s and is an acronym for “Integer
Coordinate Dimension”.

Many joints are entered using Jnt1 and Jnt2 plus one of X, Y, Z, Ratio, or Distance. These are called
“Slope” joints. As an example, you could define Joint 123, Jnt1 = 456, Jnt2 = 457, Ratio = 0.333. This
would result in joint 123 being created 1/3 of the distance from joint 456 toward joint 457.

To define the joints we need for our model, start by selecting Joints under Body 1 – 46’.
1. Click Add.
ICD = 4
Joint = 1
X=0
Y=0
Z = 46
Click Insert

2. ICD = 1, Joint = 101, X = 3, Y = 3, Z = 41. Click Insert

3. ICD = 1, Joint = 601, X = 3, Y = 3, Z = 16. Click Insert
4. Enter remaining joints using the following table.
5. Save the model

Note that using the Insert button instead of OK makes adding joints faster by leaving the Add Joint
dialog open and ready for the next joint to be defined. You’ll get the same result by clicking OK and then
clicking the Add toolbar button to add the next joint.

Joint numbers often start at the top and increase going down with increments of 100 at each level but
this is a convention and is not a program requirement.
Also, we will not include a joint at the bottom of the leg. The leg extension will be added later and all leg
joints will automatically be defined at that time.

Ratio
Joint

Jnt1

Jnt2
ICD

Z
4 1 0 0 46
1 101 3 3 41
1 601 3 3 16
1 201 36 101 601
1 301 31 101 601
1 401 26 101 601
1 501 21 101 601
1 211 9 201 202
1 111 0.5 101 211
1 221 0.5 201 211
1 411 13 401 402
1 311 0.667 301 411
1 321 0.333 301 411
1 421 0.667 401 411
1 431 0.333 401 411
1 441 0.5 401 411
1 611 9 601 602
1 511 0.5 501 611
1 621 0.5 601 611
6 1001 10 10 0
1 701 0.25 601 1001
5 711 0 601 804
1 801 0.5 601 1001
1 901 0.75 601 1001
5 911 0 801 1004
1 921 0.5 1007 1005

Note that the above list of joints has only 4 key joints defined: 1, 101, 601, and 1001 (key joints have X,
Y, and Z specified directly). If you were to adjust the position of any of these key joints then all other
joint positions would be adjusted accordingly. Typically, joints are specified in a manner that ensures a
joint is not used as a slope joint unless it has already been defined, but this is not a requirement because
ATADS will automatically find the joint if it has been defined later.
Add Member Groups
Member Groups combine members into similar types, lengths, and materials that all have the same
label and capacity. Primary member groups are included in the analysis and secondary are not.
Secondary member groups are included to increase accuracy of dead and wind loads as well as to
automate braced length calculations of primary member groups.

Select Member Groups

1. Click Add.
Label = 1
Type = Primary – any T/C member not described below
Code = ESE
SEC = L4x4x1/4
MAT = 2 - 50 ksi
Click Insert

2. Repeat above for Member Groups 2, 11-15, 21, 22, 31, 32, 41-49, 50 – 52, 61, and 71-77. Note
that some of the Type values are not correct. We will change those later.
3. Repeat above for Member Groups M1 – M10, but set the Type to Secondary – Redundant and
Redundant to Def – 1-3/4x1-3/4x3/16.

4. Save the model

Add Members
The easiest way to add members is to bring up the Add Members dialog, add the label, set the IQ, then
point to the desired joint in the plot window and left click. Repeat for the second joint if needed. When
you click in the plot window, ATADS will find the closest joint and enter the joint number in the dialog
automatically.

Select Members

1. Click Add.
Others tab
IQ = 14
Label = 1
JtA = 601
JtB = 801
Click Insert

2. Enter remaining members using the following table.

3. Save the model
 Label

Label
Tab

Tab
JtA

JtA
JtB

JtB
IQ

IQ
Others 14 1 601 801 Vert X 17 51 801 1001
Others 14 2 801 1001 Others 18 52 1001 1005
Others 14 11 101 201 Others 7 61 1 101
Others 14 12 201 301 Horiz X 16 71 101
Others 14 13 301 401 Horiz X 16 72 201
Others 14 14 401 501 Horiz X 16 72 601
Others 14 15 501 601 Horiz X 10 73 201 211
Others 14 21 101 211 Horiz X 10 73 611 601
Others 14 21 501 611 Pairs 8 74 211
Others 14 22 201 211 Pairs 8 74 611
Others 14 22 601 611 Horiz X 16 75 401
Others 14 31 301 411 Horiz X 10 76 441 401
Others 14 32 401 441 Horiz X 10 76 411 441
Others 14 32 441 411 Pairs 8 77 411
Pairs 3 41 101 Others 14 M1 111 201
Pairs 8 41 101 Others 14 M1 601 511
Vert X 17 42 101 201 Others 14 M2 111 221
Pairs 3 43 201 Others 14 M2 511 621
Pairs 8 43 201 Others 14 M3 401 321
Vert X 17 44 201 301 Others 14 M4 321 431
Vert X 17 45 301 401 Others 14 M5 431 311
Pairs 3 46 401 Others 14 M6 311 421
Pairs 8 46 401 Others 18 M7 701 711
Vert X 17 47 401 501 Others 18 M8 901 911
Vert X 17 48 501 601 V Brace 2 M9 1007 921
Pairs 3 49 601 V Brace 6 M9 1005 921
Pairs 8 49 601 Others 14 M10 921 1001
Vert X 17 50 601 801
Add Wind Panels
The easiest way to add wind panels is to open the Add Wind Panels dialog, point to the desired joint in
the plot window and left click one by one. ATADS will find the closest joint and enter the joint number in
the dialog automatically.

Select Wind Panels

1. Click Add. Jnt1 = 1, Jnt2 = 104, Jnt3 = 101, Inclusions = Top Only, Area Factor = 1.5, Transverse,
click Insert

2. Enter remaining wind panels using the following table.

3. Save the model
 Inclusions

Direction
Factor
Area
Jnt1

Jnt2

Jnt3

Jnt4
1 104 101 Top 1.5 Transverse
Only
101 104 204 201 Solid 1.0 Transverse
301 304 404 401 Solid 1.0 Transverse
501 504 604 601 Solid 1.0 Transverse
201 204 304 301 None 1.5 Transverse
401 404 504 501 None 1.5 Transverse
601 604 804 801 None 1.5 Transverse
801 804 1004 1001 None 1.5 Transverse
1 101 102 None 1.5 Longitudinal
212 102 101 211 Both 1.5 Longitudinal
412 302 301 411 Both 1.5 Longitudinal
612 502 501 611 Both 1.5 Longitudinal
202 201 301 302 None 1.5 Longitudinal
402 401 501 502 None 1.5 Longitudinal
602 601 801 802 None 1.5 Longitudinal
802 801 1001 1002 None 1.5 Longitudinal
Add Wire Attachments
There are several ways to include loads in the model. For this example, we will use Wire Attachments
combined with Wire Loads.

Similar to the Members and Wind Panels dialogs, the easiest way to add wire attachments is to point to
the desired joint in the plot window and left click the attachment joints one by one. ATADS will find the
closest joint and enter the joint number in the dialog automatically.

Select Wire Attachments

1. Click Add.
Attachment = G1
Type = Dead End – Single Joint
Jnt1 = 1
Click Insert

2. Enter remaining wire attachments using the following table.

3. Save the model
Attachment

Type

Jnt1

Jnt2

G1 Deadend – Single Joint 1

C1 Deadend – Double Joint 212 213
C2 Deadend – Double Joint 412 413
C3 Deadend – Double Joint 612 613
C4 Deadend – Double Joint 211 214
C5 Deadend – Double Joint 411 414
C6 Deadend – Double Joint 611 614
Add Loads
Select Wire Loads

1. Click Add.
Load Case = A1
Attachment = G1
Force Y = -6.1
Force Z = -3.0
Click Insert

2. Enter remaining loads using the following table.

3. Save the model
 Attachment
Load Case

Force Y

Force Z
A1 G1 -6.1 -3.0
A1 C1 -12.3 -7.9
A1 C2 -12.3 -7.9
A1 C3 -12.3 -7.9
A1 C4 -12.3 -7.9
A1 C5 -12.3 -7.9
A1 C6 -12.3 -7.9
A2 G1 -5.3 -3.0
A2 C1 -10.5 -7.9
A2 C2 -10.5 -7.9
A2 C3 -10.5 -7.9
A2 C4 -10.5 -7.9
A2 C5 -10.5 -7.9
A2 C6 -10.5 -7.9
B2D G1 -2.7 -4.8
B2D C1 -5.2 -12.8
B2D C2 -5.2 -12.8
B2D C3 -5.2 -12.8
B2D C4 -5.2 -12.8
B2D C5 -5.2 -12.8
B2D C6 -5.2 -12.8

Add Legs
Select Legs
1. Click Add.
a. General tab
Label = 8’
Top height = 0
Leg Height = 8
Bottom height = 0
Stub height = 0
b. Main Leg tab
Section = L4x4x1/4
Material = 2 – 50 ksi Steel
Pattern = Style A
Brace points = 0
c. Diagonals tab
 Section = L4x4x1/4
Material = 2 – 50 ksi Steel
Pattern = Style A with diaphragm
Brace points = 0
Click OK

2. Click Add.
a. General tab
Label = 14’
Top height = 0
Leg Height = 14
Bottom height = 0
Stub height = 0
b. Main Leg tab
Section = L4x4x1/4
Material = 2 – 50 ksi Steel
Pattern = Style A
Brace points = 0
c. Diagonals tab
Section = L4x4x1/4
Material = 2 – 50 ksi Steel
Pattern = Style A with diaphragm
Brace points = 0
Click OK
3. Save the model

Add Configurations
Select Configurations
1. Click Add.
Label = 46' Body, 8' Legs
Body = 46’
 Leg1 = 8’
Leg2 = 8’
Leg3 = 8’
Leg4 = 8’
Click OK

2. Click Add.
Label = 46' Body, 14' Legs
Body = 46’
Leg1-4 = 14’
Click OK
3. Save the model

Run Analysis & View Analysis Results

At this point, Analysis / Model Checker window should display “No errors or warnings detected”. If not,
there is an error in the model and it needs to be corrected before proceeding. Note that ATADS
considers an Error to be a problem that will prevent an analysis to be completed. An example is if a load
was applied to a joint that had not been defined. A Warning is an issue that typically needs to be
corrected but may result in an incorrect result. An example of a warning is when a primary member
overlaps a primary joint.

Click P=KX in the toolbar. An analysis will be run and some info will be displayed. Of particular
importance is the Equilibrium check summary. This summary indicates the maximum equilibrium error
in the solution.
Set Member Group Properties
We need to set some Member Group properties that we missed before. We will use the Modify feature.

Select Member Groups. Hold down the Ctrl key while selecting the following Member Groups: 42, 44,
45, 47, 48, 50, 51, 71, 72, 73, 75, and 76. Click the Mod toolbar button. Change the Member Type field
to Primary – T/C X bracing. Click OK.

The Member Type will be changed on all selected Member Groups.

Use the same technique on the following Member Groups.

1,2, 11 – 15, 61 = Primary - Main Leg above Leg Extension

22, 32 = Primary - Main comp cross arms & ground wire peaks
View Member Stresses in the Data Viewer
We set all member sizes to L4x4x1/4 so we can expect some to be overstressed and others to have low
stresses. Let’s look at a table of member stresses.

To display a summary of member stresses for all configurations:

1. Run an analysis
2. Select Summary – Axial in the Data Viewer window

This table lists maximum forces and stresses for each Member Group for all load cases and all
configurations. You can sort the columns by left clicking the column header and selecting from the
menu.

View Member Stresses in the Plot window

First, we need to plot a configuration instead of a body since stresses are available for configurations
only. In the Plot toolbar, click the Set Conf button and select C1 – 46’ Body, 8’ Legs.

Next, we need to tell the plot window that we want to see member stresses. The Plot Options dialog bog
can be accessed several ways.

1. In the ribbon, Home tab, Plot Options panel, click Force / Stress button.
2. In the Plot Window toolbar, click the Plot Options toolbar button and then select the Force /
Stress tab.
3. Double left-click the plot window and then select the Force / Stress tab.
Select the plot options as shown below and click OK.
The plot window should look similar to this.

This concludes Example 1. Example 2 will begin with this model and cover selecting appropriate member
sizes, optimizing the tower, leg extension design, and footing design. The final result will be a tower that
meets strength requirements at a reasonable cost.