Tapered columns

[twallVCXPH]

There are several threads about creating tapered columns, which generally works well.  However, how can I create a tapered column that has the same flange width?  If I select a W12x45 as the base the flange width is 8" (generalizing a bit).  But the top needs to be W36 which makes the flange width 12"+.  Can I make the flange 8" all the way?

[pendean]

Read this from HELP https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-architecture/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2...

[twallVCXPH]

In that example the base and top column sizes happen to have the same flange width.  However, I have a tapered column that starts at 12" x 6" wide and ends at 32".  There is no 32" column....the closest is W33x118 which is 32.86" x 11.48" wide.  Can I get the top to match the width of the base size....6"?

[pendean]

That sounds like a question for a structural engineer 🙂

[twallVCXPH]

No, this is totally graphic.  The pre-engineered metal building manufacturer has no problem designating and showing the column as tapered with the same flange width the full height.  But apparently AutoCAD is unable to provide this incredibly common structural element for my building model and architectural drawings.

[David_W_Koch]

You can make the starting and ending profiles any size you want.  If to profile at one or both ends is not a standard steel shape, then you will need to create your own for that end.  If you are not interested in going old-school and creating your own Structural Member Shape Definitions from scratch, you may want to look into the Structural Member Style Wizard.  This will create Structural Member Styles, but also create the underlying Structural Member Shape Definitions.  You can use those in your custom Style.

For Wide Flange Steel, the wizard will let you set the desired Section Depth, Section Width, Web Thickness, Flange Thickness and Weld Radius.

[David_W_Koch]

Here is a sample file, using W12x45 as the base profile (created via the Structural Member Catalog) and a custom profile for the top, using all the same dimensions of the W12x45 except for increasing the depth to 3'-0".  The attached file was done in ACA 2018.