# Section Wizard : Definition
# Definition
Name
The name is a label used to identify a particular section.
Definition method
The definition method specifies how the material is to be defined. This breaks down into four main options.
- Catalogue sections are selected from online section catalogues.
- Standard sections are defined by a shape and its dimensions. The properties are then calculated from these.
- Geometric sections are defined either by a perimeter or by line segments. The properties are then calculated from these.
The page that follows this will depend on the selection made as this stage.
# Section Definition Axis System
The axis along a beam element in GSA is the x axis. Following this assumption the cross section is defined in a (y,z) axis system.
# Section for tapered elements/members
If the section is referred to by tapered.elements/members, check box "Section tapers along element length" should be checked on the section wizard, then two different sizes of the section can be defined and the elements/members refer to this section will be tapered. Catalogue section, Fabricated section, Line segment section and Point area section cannot be used by tapered elements/members, i.e. check box "Section tapers along element length" will be always unchecked.and only one section size can be defined