Offset beams are modeled in the program with rigid links at their offset ends. These rigid links apply reactions and offset moments on the column due to the beam loading and any loading which the rigid link may see. When a beam frames into a column parallel to a given axis, the full reaction is applied to that column face. When a beam frames in at an angle, the reaction is split between the adjacent sides by the ratio of the angle. The Column Design module calculates the moments induced by unbalanced loading on each face of the column.

For small angles, it may be appropriate to suppress the splitting of the reaction, and apply the full reaction on the nearest face. The magnitude of the angle to be considered in determining whether or not to split the reaction can be specified by selecting the Criteria - Design Defaults command. If the angle between a column axis and a beam axis is less than that specified, the total reaction and the offset moment will be applied to the side of the column to which the beam frames; if the angle exceeds that specified, the reaction will be split between the adjacent sides. See Section 3.4.4, Moment Split, for an explanation of how the moment is split between columns above and below.

If the option Skip-load the Live Load around the column is selected, the program will skip-, or pattern-, load the Live Load around the column to create the worst design case of biaxial bending and axial loads. See Section 2.14, Design Loads, for more information.