ETABS MCP

Draw floors, slabs and walls from corner points (like Draw > Floor/Wall). Returns new area names.

Draw beams, columns and braces between two points (like Draw > Frame). Joints are created or merged automatically. Returns the ETABS names of the new frames, in input order; failures are listed per item.

Add joints at coordinates (existing joints at the same location are reused).

Per-case analysis status (not run / finished ...), run flags, and whether the model is locked.

Define a rigid or semi-rigid diaphragm and assign it to the slabs (area objects) on the chosen stories.

Assign objects to a group, pier or spandrel label (created if missing), like Assign > ... in ETABS.

Assign loads (Assign > Frame/Shell/Joint Loads): distributed or point loads on frames, uniform loads on areas, and forces/moments on joints. Values are in present units; 'gravity' acts downward (-Z).

Assign a frame section or an area property (Assign > Frame > Section / Shell > Property).

Call any ETABS API method. Arguments are validated and converted against the live signature; ByRef values come back in 'outputs'. A non-zero 'ret' means ETABS rejected the call (ok=false).

Run several API calls in order in one round trip (for example, define and assign many properties). Each result is reported; with stop_on_error the batch halts at the first failure.

Save the model and keep a copy as a named checkpoint (an undo point before risky edits). Restore it with etabs_restore_checkpoint. Needs a saved model.

Run the standard post-analysis checks in one call: story drift against the allowable, torsional irregularity, soft story, weight (mass) irregularity, modal mass participation and response-spectrum base shear vs ELF. Each check reports its clause, the governing numbers and pass/fail.

Connect to ETABS. Other tools connect automatically with mode 'auto', so call this only to choose a specific instance or version, to drive several ETABS instances, or to recover after ETABS was closed. Launching ETABS takes 10-30 s.

Define a slab or wall property (Define > Section Properties > Slab/Wall Sections).

Define load combinations (Define > Load Combinations) from load cases and other combinations, and/or generate the default design combinations for the active design codes.

Define a frame section: parametric concrete/steel shapes, or a steel shape imported from an ETABS section library. Dimensions are in present length units.

Define load patterns (Define > Load Patterns), each optionally with its linear static load case.

Define a material, either from the ETABS library (region + standard + grade, the same lists as the 'Add Material' dialog) or as a custom isotropic material from E, weight and strength.

Define an ASCE 7-16 response spectrum function and a response-spectrum load case that uses it.

Define an ASCE 7-16 equivalent-lateral-force seismic load pattern (Define > Load Patterns > Auto Lateral Load). Creates the Quake pattern and its load case.

Define an automatic wind load pattern applied to diaphragms (Define > Load Patterns > Auto Lateral Load > Wind). ASCE 7-16 is fully parameterised; other codes take their table fields via 'fields'.

Delete frames, areas or points chosen by name, by group, or the current selection.

Show a method's exact signature (types, ByRef outputs, defaults, enum values, safety level), or list an interface's methods and sub-interfaces, or an enum's values. Reflects the connected ETABS version.

Read, list or change the design codes (Design > ... > View/Revise Preferences). 'list' returns every code this ETABS version supports for steel, concrete, shear wall, slab and composite design.

Write an engineering summary in Markdown: model, loads, analysis status, base reactions, modal periods, drifts and the design check with the most critical members. Returns the text and the file.

List or close dialogs ETABS has open. A modal dialog blocks the ETABS API, so close leftovers after etabs_menu or a design run.

Release the ETABS connection. ETABS keeps running unless close_etabs is true.

Edit a model table the way the Interactive Database editor does: read it, change/append/delete rows, then apply. Returns ETABS's import log with error and warning counts.

Export the whole model as ETABS's .e2k text and return it (paged). One read gives the complete definition (stories, grids, materials, sections, objects, assignments, loads, cases), ideal for audits.

Find objects by engineering criteria: 'columns on Story3', 'beams longer than 8 m', 'members with D/C over 0.9', 'everything in this box'. Returns names usable by every other tool; can select them.

Build a complete regular building in one call: grids, stories, materials, sections, columns, beams, braces or shear walls (with pier labels), slabs, fixed supports, a rigid diaphragm, SDL/LL patterns with slab loads, and default design combinations. Follow with lateral loads (etabs_define_seismic_load ...), then analysis.

Concrete frame design results (after etabs_run_design(kind='concrete')): required longitudinal and shear reinforcement for beams, PMM ratios and areas for columns, joint shear and beam/column capacity ratios. Areas are in present units.

Design results per member: steel demand/capacity ratios with governing combo, or concrete required reinforcement for beams and columns. Worst members first.

Read analysis results the way they appear in ETABS tables: base reactions, story drifts and forces, joint displacements/reactions, modal periods and mass ratios, element forces, piers and spandrels. For any other result table use etabs_get_table.

Concrete slab design results (after etabs_run_design(kind='concrete_slab')): design-strip flexure and shear reinforcement, or punching shear checks at columns, worst first.

Story table, top story first: name, elevation, height, master/similar settings.

Read any ETABS database table as rows (Display > Show Tables). Values with units are in present units.

Shear wall design results: piers (reinforcing ratio, D/C, boundary zones, messages) or spandrels (flexural and shear reinforcement), worst first. Run etabs_run_shear_wall_design first.

List the ETABS instances this server drives, switch which one every other tool acts on, or remove one. Typical use: compare two design options side by side, or copy data from one model into another.

Status of a background job (analysis or design): running / done / failed, elapsed time, the tail of the ETABS analysis log while it runs, and the full result once done. Never blocks.

Wait for a background job to finish, up to timeout_seconds, then report it (same shape as etabs_job_status). Call again if it is still running.

Checkpoints saved for the open model, newest first.

List ETABS installations on this machine (v22+ are supported) and ETABS instances that are running now.

Load patterns (with type and self-weight multiplier), load cases (with type) and combinations (with their cases and scale factors).

List frames, areas or points with their geometry (in present units), sections and stories. ETABS 'name' is the unique name used by every API call; 'label' is what the GUI shows per story.

List materials (with type), frame sections (with shape and dimensions in present units) and area properties (slabs, decks, walls).

List ETABS database tables (definitions, assignments, analysis and design results), with whether each has data and whether it can be edited. Result tables appear after analysis/design.

Use ETABS menu commands that have no API, exactly as a person would click them (through Windows UI Automation, no mouse). 'list' browses the menus; 'invoke' runs a command. Commands that open a dialog leave it open: check with etabs_screenshot and close it with etabs_dialogs.

One-call summary of the open model: file, version, units, lock state, object counts, stories, load patterns/cases/combinations, materials, sections and groups. Start every task with this.

Start a new model (replaces the open one). Lengths are in the chosen units.