> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.enercalc.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.enercalc.com/e3d-user-manual/interface/toc175916526/toc175916652/toc161393871/toc161393872.md).

# Rectangular Frames

How to quickly generate 1D, 2D, and 3D rectangular frames using distance lists in ENERCALC 3D.

Create > Model Generators > Rectangular Frames prompts you with the following dialog.

![](https://560001759-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWNe8U6EBBBdUJHdb2X9G%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d02a4f7703fc1efd2cba83bed4491f545353dd3c%2FFASTFR~1_img87.png?alt=media)

It allows you to quickly generate 1D frames (continuous beams), 2D frames (plane frame or grillage) or 3D frames (space frames). The distance list is a comma separated list that specifies multiple distances. For example, a distance list of “12, 2\@14, 3\@10” will generate distances of 12, 14, 14, 10, 10 and 10 in length unit. You may leave appropriate distance list(s) blank to generate on a plane or along a line. You may specify pinned or fixed supports at the bottom. The generated members have the default section and material properties. You may assign them appropriate properties using commands in the Modify ribbon.

The following three examples show the uses of this command. The first example is a continuous beam in the X direction generated using the input from the dialog above. The first two spans are of 10 ft and the last three spans are of 15 ft. The pinned supports are also generated automatically.

![](https://560001759-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWNe8U6EBBBdUJHdb2X9G%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a7863c1e83f6f50a2f042d289ef590a957338679%2FFASTFR~1_img88.png?alt=media)

The second example is a 2D frame on the XY plane with horizontal spans 10, 10, 18, 10, 10 ft and vertical spans 15, 8, 8, 8 ft as shown in the following.

![](https://560001759-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWNe8U6EBBBdUJHdb2X9G%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-93031d63a782b61f7864fe4ae0bd493334a6d076%2FFASTFR~1_img91.png?alt=media)

A rectangular frame is first generated using the input from the following dialog.

![](https://560001759-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWNe8U6EBBBdUJHdb2X9G%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-6a911883303e37ec10a2e0fecd2d4fa196aebbec%2FFASTFR~1_img90.png?alt=media)

The frame is then modified by selecting and deleting nodes 19, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30 and horizontal members at the bottom. Notice when a node is deleted, elements (and their dependents such as loads) connected to that node are automatically deleted also.

![](https://560001759-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWNe8U6EBBBdUJHdb2X9G%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-eecd7224bfaa5b92dbd540cc3caccf98662d8964%2FFASTFR~1_img89.png?alt=media)

The third example is a 3D frame with 6 spans in the X direction, 4 spans in the Z direction, and 10 spans in the Y direction. All spans are 10 ft. The frame is fixed at the bottom.

![](https://560001759-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWNe8U6EBBBdUJHdb2X9G%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-291dc9dc5ef1d8f25204ae4d77adfd7dd33f3ab7%2FFASTFR~1_img93.png?alt=media)

It is generated using the following input.

![](https://560001759-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWNe8U6EBBBdUJHdb2X9G%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-20aa3437c29af51882fd98ea0a34019605efce2e%2FFASTFR~1_img92.png?alt=media)


---

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