SAP Guide: ( File .... Means Click On The Tab Titled "File")

This document provides a summary of the steps to build and analyze a 2D structural model using the SAP analysis software. It outlines how to define materials and sections, draw frame elements, apply supports and hinges, define load patterns, run analyses, and output results including shear/moment diagrams, joint displacements and reactions. The key steps are to select units and grid/blank display, draw the frame, assign supports and hinges, define and apply loads, set analysis options to analyze for dead loads, and output and visualize results.

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SAP Guide: ( File .... Means Click On The Tab Titled "File")

Uploaded by

Vu Phi Long

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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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SAPGuide

(>File.... meansclickonthetabtitledFile)

I) Starting out
(>File > New Model)
1) Pick correct units in the start-up window at the lower right corner of screen, particularly feet or
inches (K,in,F .... is kips, inches, Fahrenheit)
2) decide whether you want a grid in the background or a blank screen: >Blank or >Grid only
if your select a grid ... Define the: - number of grid lines
- spacing (the number you enter is the distance between lines in the units you selected)
4) Always work in the XZ plane when modeling a 2-dimensional structure
the xz plane view can be selected by >xz
- Z is the direction of gravity in SAP
II) Materials and sections
1) >Define
>Materials, pick or define material type, 4000psi=concrete, A99sFy50=steel
(you can edit material properties to be used in various sections, such as
unit weight and modulus of elasticity).
2) >Define
>Section Properties >Frame ..... >Import a standard steel section (AISCLRFD1)
or define your own section with >Add New Property
(You can define the materials and cross-sectional properties of frame members, and also use
general property multipliers.)
III) Drawing in members
1) Select Draw Frame Element from left side toolbar
2) click at any point on screen to create first end of the member, click on another point to define
another end of the member and continues with additional clicks for more members, or double
click to indicate that you are done entering members, then click on the arrow at left toolbar to
stop placing members,
IV) Entering Supports:
A) Select any joint where a support should be by clicking on it,
B) >Assign > Joint > Restraint > and then add check marks for the restraints you wish, the 1,2, &
3 directions coincide with X, Y, &Z axes
V) Hinges:
By default SAP assumes that any members that adjoin each other are connected with moment
transferring connections, if you wish the joint hinged then:
A) Select either member adjoining the hinge location by clicking on it,
B) >Assign >Frame > Release >3-3 Moment
a) Specify whether to release the moment at the start or end of the member you selected. This
will depend on the direction you initially drew the member.
VI) Loading:
First define the type of loading case you are creating by >Define >Load Pattern, a DEAD case is
automatically included and if Self Weight Multiplier is 1 then the program automatically calcs
and adds the self weight dead load to all elements. If you wish to define your own values set the
multiplier equal to zero. You may want to create a LIVE load pattern = type in the name you wish to

call it where DEAD appears, select the Type. If LIVE is selected as the TYPE then usually the self
weight multiplier automatically becomes zero and self weight is not included in this pattern. Then:
A) Select the joint or frame element where you want to apply a point load or continuous load
B) >Assign >Joint or Frame Load > Forces (for Joints)/ Point or Distributed (for Frames)
C) Select which direction you want the load to act in. Positive or negative signs matter for this
input.
D) Keep track of whether you are adding to or replacing loads on that specific
member/joint.
VII) Display
A) To see at any time what loads you have all applied:
>Display >Show Load Assignments > Frame or Joint
VIII) Analyzing
1) >Analyze >Set Analysis Options > XZ Plane
2) >Analyze > Run Analysis >... then Select Modal > Do Not Run
After this, select Dead and then run this case
IX) Output
1) For Shear/Moment/Axial Diagrams:
>Display >Show Forces > Frames
>Moment 3-3 or
> Shear 2-2 or
> Axial
> Show values on Diagram
>Options > uncheck Moments on Tension side
2) For better printing change to a white background:
>View >Set Display options > White background/Black objects
3) Printing Diagrams:
>File >Capture Picture >User region
The program will then save this picture. You can copy and paste it in a word file to organize
everything.
You can also PrintScrn or use the Snipping Tool.
4) Joint Displacements/Reactions:
> File >Print Tables >Analysis results >Joint output > Select both Displacements and
Reactions
Make sure that Print to File is selected