sap2000 structural engineering software

8/10/2019 SAP2000 Structural Engineering Software

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User Interface

One Window, Many Views

SAP2000 offers a single user interface to perform: Modeling, Analysis, Design, andReporting.

Enhanced User Interface

Dockable Windows

The customizable SAP2000 interface allows users to define window layouts and toolbar layouts.
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Modeling

Templates

SAP2000 has a wide selection of templates for quickly starting a new model. SAP2000 includes parametric templates

for the following types of structures: Simple Beams, 3D Trusses, 3D Frames, Storage Vessels, Staircases, Dam

Structures, and Pipes.


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Model Views

View and manipulate analytical and physical models with great precision. Easily definecustom views and developed elevations to view and manipulate complex geometry with

ease.

Object Model View

Element Model View

Object model views accurately display cardinal insertion points, local axes rotations, wall junctions, and geometry.
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Grid Systems

Plans and Elevations

In SAP2000, grids can be defined as cartesian or cylindrical. There is no limit to the number of grid systems in a

model and they can be rotated in any direction or placed at any origin within the model.

Plan and elevation views are automatically generated at every grid line to allow for quick navigation of the model.

Users can create their own elevation sections by using our Developed Elevation feature.


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Interactive Database Editing

Interactive database editing allows users to edit model data in a table view which simplifies the task of makingchanges to the model. Tables are easily exportable and importable from Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access.


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Meshing Tools

Engineers have many options when it comes to mesh generation in SAP2000. Simply selectthe area object and then select the rules for the automatic mesh generator to use.

Meshing Overview

Edge Constraints
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Structural Components

Joints

Frames and areas can have refined meshes for analysis.

SAP2000 automatically create joints at structural object intersections or internal joints when meshing structural


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Frames

objects. Joint coordinates and information may be displayed on screen in the model window or in tabular format.

The frame element uses a general, three-dimensional, beam-column formulation whichincludes the effects of biaxial bending, torsion, axial deformation, and biaxial shear

deformations. SAP2000 has a built-in library of standard concrete, steel and compositesection properties of both US and International Standard sections.

Frames Overview

Section Properties
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Cables

Intermediate joints will automatically be generated where other members intersect with the frame to ensure finite

element connectivity.

The cable element is a highly nonlinear element used to model the catenary behavior of slender cables under their

own self-weight. Tension-stiffening and large deflection nonlinearity are inherently included in the formulation.


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Tendons

Tendons are easily drawn as independent objects, with geometry specified as straight lines, parabolas, circular curves,

or other arbitrary shapes. Tendon loads, including all losses, are easily defined in SAP2000.


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Shells

The shell element is a type of area object that is used to model membrane, plate, and shell behavior in planar and

three-dimensional structures. The shell material may be homogeneous or layered throughout; material nonlinearity

can also be considered when using the layered shell.


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Solids

The solid element is an eight-node element for modeling three-dimensional structures and solids. It is based upon an

isoparametric formulation that includes nine optional incompatible bending modes and is useful for modeling objects

in which loading, boundary conditions, section properties, or reactions vary by thickness.


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Links

A link element may exhibit up to three different types of behavior: linear, nonlinear, and frequency dependent,

according to the types of properties assigned to that element and the type of analysis being performed. The following

link elements are available in SAP2000: Linear, Multi-linear Elastic, Multi-linear Plastic, Gaps, Hooks, Dampers,

Friction Isolators, Rubber Isolators, T/C Isolators, Frequency-dependent Springs, and Frequency-dependent Dampers.


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Hinges

Users can create and apply hinge properties to perform pushover analyses in SAP2000. Nonlinear material behavior in

frame elements (beam/column/brace) can be modeled using fiber hinges. This approach represents the material in the

cross section as discrete points, each following the exact stress-strain curves of the material. Mixed materials, such as

reinforced concrete and complex shapes can be represented.


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Springs

Spring supports are link elements that are used to elastically connect joints to the ground and can be linear or

nonlinear in nature. Nonlinear support conditions can be modeled to include gaps (compression only), multi-linearelastic or plastic springs, viscous dampers, and base isolators.


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Loading

Automatic Code Based Loading

SAP2000 will automatically generate and apply seismic and wind loads based on variousdomestic and international codes. SAP2000 also has a sophisticated moving load generator

that allows users to apply moving loads to lanes on frame and shell elements.

Seismic

Wind

Moving Loads
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Wave Loads

Supported codes include: UBC 94; 97, BOCA 96, NBCC 95; 2005; 2010, IBC 2003; 2006, Chinese 2002, ISI1893

2002, NEHRP 97, User coefficient, and User loads

The wave-loading feature automatically generates loading on the structure resulting from waves, current flow,

buoyancy, and wind. Multi-stepped static linear loading can be generated to simulate the wave moving through the

structure. In addition, dynamic (time-history) loading can also be generated to include inertial effects as the wavemoves through the structure.


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User Loads

Define specific loads to model a wide array of loading conditions with SAP2000 built-inuser loading options.

Force/Moment

Displacement

Temperature

Strain

Pore Pressure
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Analysis

Displacement loading represents the effect of support settlement and other externally imposed displacements upon the

structure. Displacement loading can act through restraints as well as linear and nonlinear spring supports. Multiple-

support dynamic excitation can be considered for structures supported on varying soils conditions or over large

spans.


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Overview

Static

CSI Solvers have been tried and tested by the industry for over 35 years. The SAPFire Analysis Engine can support

multiple 64-bit solvers for analysis optimization and perform both Eigen Analysis and Ritz Analysis.

SAP2000 can perform both linear static and multi-step static analysis. The linear static analysis of a structure involves

the solution of the system of linear equations represented by K u = r. Certain types of load patterns are multi-stepped,

meaning that they actually represent many separate spatial loading patterns applied in sequence. These include the

vehicle, live, and wave types of load patterns.


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Dynamic

SAP2000 dynamic analysis capabilities include the calculation of vibration modes usingRitz or Eigen vectors, response-spectrum analysis, and time-history analysis for both linear

and nonlinear behavior.

Modal

Response Spectrum

Time History
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Buckling

Time-history analysis captures the step-by-step response of structures to seismic ground motion and other types of

loading such as blast, machinery, wind, waves, etc. Analysis can use modal superposition or direct-integration

methods, and both can be linear or nonlinear. The nonlinear modal method, also called FNA for Fast Nonlinear

Analysis, is extremely efficient and accurate for a wide class of problems. The direct-integration method is even more

general, and can handle large deformations and other highly nonlinear behavior. Nonlinear time-history analyses

can be chained together with other nonlinear cases (including staged construction) addressing a wide range ofapplications.

Linear (bifurcation) buckling modes of a structure can be found under any set of loads. Buckling can be calculated

from a nonlinear or staged-construction state. Full nonlinear buckling analysis is also available considering P-delta or

large deflections effects. Snap-through buckling behavior can be captured using static analysis with displacement

control. Dynamic analysis can be used for modeling more complex buckling, such as follower-load problems.


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P-Delta

P-delta analysis captures the softening effect of compression and the stiffening effect of tension. A single P-deltaanalysis under gravity and sustained loads can be used to modify the stiffness for linear load cases, which can later be

superposed. Alternatively, each combination of loads can be analyzed for full nonlinear P-delta effects. P-delta effects

are included for all elements and are seamlessly integrated into analysis and design.


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Pushover

Pushover analysis features in SAP2000 include the implementation of FEMA 356 and the hinge and fiber hinge

option based on stress-strain. The nonlinear layered shell element enables users to consider plastic behavior of

concrete shear walls, slabs, steel plates, and other area finite elements in the pushover analysis. Force-Deformation

relations are defined for steel and concrete hinges.


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Time Dependent

Staged construction is a type of nonlinear analysis in SAP2000 that is allows you to definea sequence of stages wherein you can add or remove portions of the structure, selectivelyapply load to portions of the structure, and to consider time-dependent material behavior

such as aging, creep, and shrinkage.

Staged Construction

Creep and Shrinkage
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Power Spectral Density

Steady State

Staged construction is variously known as incremental construction, sequential construction, or segmentalconstruction.

Power-spectral-density analysis is available to determine the probabilistic response of astructure due to cyclic (harmonic, sinusoidal) loading over a range of frequencies. This is

useful for fatigue studies, random response due to earthquakes, and other applications.Multiple loads may be applied at different phase angles, and may be correlated or

uncorrelated.


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Target Force

Load Combinations

Steady state analysis is available to determine the response of the structure due to cyclic (harmonic, sinusoidal)

loading over a range of frequencies. Frequency-dependent stiffness and damping (complex impedance) properties

may be included for modeling foundations and far-field effects, including radiation damping. Steady state analysis can

be used to measure the effects of multiple machines operating at different frequencies can be considered by

combining the results of several analyses in the same model.

During nonlinear static analysis, cable and frame elements can be automatically strained toachieve specified target axial force values. This is most commonly used to tighten cables to

pre-specified tensions, but it can also be used to jack structures to a specified force usingframe elements, as well as other applications.

SAP2000 allows for an unlimited number of load cases and combinations. Load combination types include: linear

additive, envelope (min/max), absolute add, SRSS, and range combinations. Combination components can include

other combinations.


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Model Alive

Design

Steel Frame

For small to medium sized structures, analysis can be performed on the fly as you build andmodify the model. For each change you make to the geometry, properties, or loading, thestructure instantly responds with the new deformed shape, moment diagram, or any other

plot of results. Its like working with a live model, and it is a very powerful tool forconceptual design and for testing "what-if" scenarios.


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Concrete Frame

Fully integrated steel frame design includes member size optimization and implementation of design codes. SAP2000

allows users to interactively view design results at any frame member, change the parameters or section properties,

and display the updated member results.

See supported design codes

Fully integrated concrete frame design in SAP2000 includes: required area of steel calculations, auto selection lists for

new member sizing, implementation of design codes, interactive design and review, and comprehensive overwrite

capabilities.

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Aluminum Frame

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Cold Formed Frame

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Output and Display

Deformed Geometry

Users can display deformed geometry based on any load or combination of loads, as well as animations of modes.


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Force Diagrams

Shear and moment diagrams display internal shear forces, moments, and displacements at all locations along the

length of a frame element for any load case or load combination. SAP2000 gives the option to scroll along the lengthto display values or scroll directly to the maximum value location.


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General Displacement

Arbitrary displacement measures can be defined using generalized displacements. These are linear combinations of

joint translations and rotations, and can be used to calculate averages, drifts, and other quantities of interest.

Generalized displacement output can be obtained for all types of analysis cases and combinations.


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Section Cuts

The resultant (free-body) forces and moments across any cut in the structure can be defined using section cuts. A

section cut can have any shape, and can be used to compute story shears, connecting forces, design forces in shear

walls, and for many other purposes. Section cut results can be obtained for all types of load cases and combinations.


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Virtual Work Diagrams

In SAP2000, virtual work diagrams can be used as an aid to determine which elements should be stiffened to achieve

the most efficient control over the lateral displacements of a structure.


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Influence Lines

SAP2000 uses influence lines to compute the response to vehicle live loads. Influence lines are also of interest in their

own right for understanding the sensitivity of various response quantities to moving loads. Influence lines may be

displayed in the user interface for the displacement, force, or stress response of any element in the structure.


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Tabular Output

SAP2000 has the ability to display tables for all input data, analysis results, and design results. Tables support sort,

cut, copy and paste for use in other programs. Print or save tabular data to Access, Excel, Word, HTML, or TEXT.


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Video Animations

Reporting

Quick Report

SAP2000 has the ability to generate video (.avi) files to visually display a set of analysisresults that vary over a particular time period, such as in a time history analysis.


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Advanced Report Writer

Pre-formatted printed reports are now available at the push of a button. These reports include all pertinent model data

and the results of analysis and design. Data is presented in tabulated format, along with graphics, table of contents,

and a cover sheet displaying project information and your company name and logo.

The Advanced Report Writer is a robust utility that can be used for creating sophisticated reports of the SAP2000

model. These reports are fully customizable; companies can define and save complex template files to standardize the

analysis and design report generation.


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Tools

Load Optimizer

The load optimizer is a tool in SAP2000 to compute the optimal load application to achieve desired structural

response. Loads may be applied linearly, nonlinearly, or in staged-construction. Goals and limits may include

displacements, forces, moments, and more.


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Section Designer

Section Designer is a utility that is built into SAP2000. It allows users the ability to create specialized sections of any

arbitrary shape and material, including rebar layout. All sections properties, biaxial interaction diagrams, and moment

curvature diagrams are automatically calculated.


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Import and Export

Supported Formats

SAP2000 supports many industry standards for importing and exporting data. Autodesk Revit Structure, TeklaStructures, AutoCAD (DXF/DWG), CIS/2, IFC, IGES, and SDNF are all supported. SAP2000 also supports

exporting of a model to an Microsoft Access database. If users are using other analysis packages, SAP2000 can

import files from FrameWorks Plus, STAAD, and STRUDL.


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