FEM-Design 3D Structure

Intro-course 2021

STEP-BY-STEP COURSE MATERIAL

2021-11-18
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. BASIC CONCEPT 3

1.1 ABOUT THIS COURSE MATERIAL 3

1.2 CODES AND STANDARDS 3
1.3 FEM-DESIGN USER INTERFACE 4
1.3.1 TABS 5
1.3.2 3D SPACE 5
1.3.3 COMMAND AND INFO-BAR 6
1.4 THE COORDINATE SYSTEMS 6

2. MODELLING OF A BASIC STRUCTURE 7

2.1 STRUCTURE 7
2.1.1 SETTING UP THE USER VIEW 7
2.1.2 STOREYS AND AXES 7
2.1.3 CONCRETE FLOOR 11
2.1.4 CONCRETE COLUMNS 14
2.1.5 STEEL COLUMNS 17
2.1.6 CONCRETE WALLS 19
2.1.7 BEAMS 25
2.1.8 SUPPORTS 30
2.1.9 COVERS 33
2.2 LOADS 36
2.2.1 DEFINE LOAD CASES 36
2.2.2 LOAD COMBINATIONS 37
2.2.3 APPLYING LOADS 38
2.3 FINITE ELEMENTS 40
2.4 CALCULATION 41
2.5 ANALYSIS 42
2.5.1 ANALYSIS OPTIONS 42
2.5.2 LOAD COMBIATIONS 42
2.5.3 PERFORMING THE ANALYSIS 44
2.5.4 RESULTS: DISPLACEMENTS 45

This compendium contains tips and tricks, along with some warnings:

Page | 1
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

Energy saving lightbulb: Tips and tricks, how to save time and energy and to increase
effectiveness of modelling and designing.

Warning triangle: If you don't consider this then you might encounter problems
ahead.

Page | 2
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

1. Basic concept
1.1 About this course material
This course material is supposed to be used as a 1-day introduction course to FEM-Design 3D Structure.
It is used to show off many of the functions in the program without delve too deep, but to get the user
familiar with the user interface and basic modelling assumptions.
For more advanced functions and functionality, our range of more advanced courses should be
attended.
1.2 Codes and standards
When you start up the program you will be met by the Code configuration window. It is here you can
select the code, or national annex if you use EuroCode, for your model.

The code selected here will affect many settings and parameters in the program, among the following:
Material library for steel, concrete, reinforcement and timber
Automatic combination of load cases to load groups, and load groups to load combinations
Design parameters in design (reinforcement, steel and timber)
Crack width calculations using Cracked-section analysis.

If you change the code/national annex in a project all material properties from a
structural object will be either switched to a similar material or removed. Then the user
has to redefine the material on the object.

Page | 3
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

1.3 FEM-Design user interface

Tabs

Filter
palette

Quick
tools

Layer
settings

Quick Model Snap

buttons space settings

Current command &

Coordinates
Command line

Page | 4
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

1.3.1 Tabs
There are 3 indata tabs:
Structure > Commands for defining the geometry and the supports of the model.
Loads > Commands for defining loads, load cases, combinations and groups.
Finite elements > Commands for generating FE-mesh automatically or manually.
...and 6 result tabs:
Analysis > Calculation of displacement, internal forces and reactions; displaying results. Also
displaying results of stability, dynamic and seismic calculations.
Foundation design > Design of foundation objects and check of soil.
RC design > Design parameters & results of reinforced concrete beams plates and punching.
Steel design > Design parameters & checking results of steel bars, steel joints and steel bars
subjected to fire.
Timber design > Design parameters & checking results of timber bars and shells.
Masonry design > Design of masonry walls
Composite design > Design of composite elements
Documentation > Define documentation manually or by predefined templates.
Design modelling, application of loads, settings and defining the finite element mesh are part of the
indata part of the program. It is possible to switch between these tabs and make changes to the model
without any calculations are being made.
When switching to the result tabs and performing the calculation the settings will be saved. If you want
to make changes to the model, a new calculation has to be performed. It is therefor advised to check
the indata once more before doing the calculation since some non-linear calculations of big models
might take some time.
1.3.2 3D space
Navigating in the 3D space can be done with the scroll
wheel on the mouse to zoom in and out. Rotating by
holding down Ctrl and the middle mouse
button/pressing the scroll wheel (similar to Tekla). If
you instead of Ctrl hold down Alt-button you will
rotate around the object the mouse cursor points on.
Very few tasks in the program requires the user to
hold and drag the mouse, as most commands uses a
click to start the selection and then a click to end the
selection. this makes it possible to change views and
rotate the model during commands.
The selection windows are similar to Autocad where if
you box something from left to right you get a bounding box selection, while if you go from right to
left you get a crossing selection. Note that these boxes might select things that are behind the current
object too if you are doing these selections in 3D isometric view.
It is also possible to select several objects one by one. Hold Ctrl and right-click on the first object. then
release the Ctrl-button (when the cursor turns into a cursor with a blue cross) and continue to right
click on objects you want to select/deselect.

Page | 5
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

1.3.3 Command and info-bar

At the bottom the current command, coordinates, layers-button and snap-functions can be found.
To the very left the current command will be showing, and also what sub-operation is currently being
performed, along with what selection options are available. RB and LB refers to the right and the left
mouse button.
To the right of the current command there is a box called the Command line. It is not used for entering
commands but to have an alternative way to enter relative and absolute coordinates for the command.
1.4 The coordinate systems

Global (World)
o Symbol: Red, blue and green with 3 axes
o Position & directions: Fixed, not editable, absolute zero [0; 0; 0] point
o Function: Coordinates & directions, equilibrium results
o Settings: Hide/show (Settings / All / Window/ Coordinate systems)
o Defined as x, y and z
User (UCS)
o Symbol: 2 axes, green axis for X and orange axis for Y direction
o Position & directions: Arbitrary, depend on users (Insert; View / USC)
o Function: Easy way for defining coordinates and directions in 2D
o Settings: Symbol size (Settings / All / Window / Co-ordinate systems)
o Keyboard command: Alt+U
Local (Structural)
o Symbol: 3 axes in arbitrary colours
o Position & directions: Fixed by objects. Used by all objects, for instance: beams,
columns, plates, walls, supports and edge connections – boundary conditions.
o Function: Results, standings and positions of objects (Beam etc.)
o Settings: Colours by axes (Settings / All / Display / Local system)
o Defined as x’, y’ and z’
There is also a coordinate system called Load generation directions that is only visible in the Loads-tab.
It is used to define the wind load directions when using the wind load macros.

Page | 6
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2. Modelling of a basic structure

2.1 Structure

Select the NA of your country or the option that the course leader decides.
The option to calculate soil as solid elements can only be activated if you have the 3D Soil-license.
2.1.1 Setting up the user view
The default view for viewing a single storey is to see the objects in the plane of the storey and the
objects below it, connected to the storey. If you want to change it to a setting you prefer, go to Settings
> All... then select Display > Storey. For the foundation the last option (Both above and below) can be
good to see the foundation slab, piles under the slab and the basement walls above the slab.

2.1.2 Storeys and axes

Axes and storeys are used, among other things, to identify the locations of objects, to draw simplified
views, where you can view the model in different planes, sections and elevations and it is also possible
to correct objects to these lines/planes. Start with defining storeys (Storeys) as in the picture below.

Page | 7
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

It is important that you fill in the

measurements correct (measurements of x-
and y-directions) of the building, since they
will affect the wind loads applied in chapter
2.2. Enter 24.0 (meters) in x-direction and 18.0
(meters) in y-direction. A tolerance of ±1m
can be allowed.
As seen in the figure below, Eurocode defines
a building as a bounding box of the structure.
So if you have a circular silo, it is like a square
box around the cylinder.
When it comes to balconies it might be a
question about definition if it should be
included into the box or not. A normal balcony
(thickness exposed to wind: 160-200mm)
should not be inside the bounding box, but if
the balconies might be converted to an
outdoor room or constructed as bay windows
then they should be included.

It is possible to set the foundation level (bottommost

level) for the structure (the measurement shall be
negative if the foundation slab is below the ground
level).
In this example we set the ground level as 0m (this
measurement is the bottommost level of the wind
load) and 0.0 meter for the foundation slab. To enter
floors, press Insert. It is possible to change the height
of the storeys afterwards if 3.0m is not the correct
value. It is also possible to enter more storeys with
correct storey height using the Generate-function. Size of building according to EN 1991-1-4 Figure 6.1

Press OK to exit this window and return to the 3D-model.

Page | 8
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

To not accidentally erase any of the storey definitions we will change the properties to protect them
and the axes. But first we need to create the system of axes!

1.

2.

4.

3.

Start the Axis-function (1.) and define 5 axes (4 distances between the axes, that are 6.0 meters apart:
4x6) (2.). Place the first point in origin: x=0, y=0 (3.) and the second point at x=0, y=18.0 (4.). Note that
Type is set to Number for these axes!
The other set of axes can be defined in the same way, but change the type to Letters and enter the
distances: 3x6.0m. Start point x=0, y=0 (3.) and endpoint x=24.0, y=0. An alternate way to enter
endpoints are to write them with relative coordinates in x- and y-direction from the start point, it is
done in a similar way as in AutoCAD for instance: “@24,0” in the Command line-window in the lower
left corner. If the axes are shown on the wrong side of the line that the user draws, then it is possible
to switch the side before the endpoint is set, do this by pressing the Ctrl+RB (right mouse button), as
stated in the command description in the bottom left corner.

Page | 9
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

The structure we will build in this example is going to be inside these axes, but it doesn't have to be
rectangular, and it doesn't have to be placed inside the storey definitions. Any automatic wind load
will act on the building no matter where we place it, as long as we define outer walls for the wind to
act on, more of that in the Cover/Wind load section later.
The storey definitions will be used to select different views in plane view. They can on the other hand
be in the way of the modelling so it is recommended to hide them in the Quick tools-panel (Storeys:
Hidden - light grey padlock). Toggle the padlocks until the Axes are protected (dark grey padlock) and
the Storeys are hidden.

Page | 10
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.1.3 Concrete floor

Let us start with modelling of the concrete floor at +3.0m. Use the Select view-function and select the
Storey 1-level.

1.

2.

3.

Start the Plane plate-function (1.), then select the pen and the big picture below it (Default settings)
(2.). This will open up the settings for the slab that we are about to place.
The Plate-settings window contains 3 tabs: General, Material and Stiffness. In General-tab many
functions of various nature are present, some are used by the program (like Identifier) and some will
be used to define our plate. Enter 0.250m as thickness (3.).
Orthotropy can be defined as the differences of stiffnesses in different directions, it is not that useful
for a cast in-situ concrete slab, but more advanced users can manipulate the stiffness to achieve a
certain load bearing directions.
Eccentricity are rarely used for plates, but are instead a useful feature for beams, as we will show in a
later chapter. Alignments are mainly used for visual purposes, some steel elements are using it for the
Steel Joint connections. For concrete slabs it is only used for aesthetic reasons.

Page | 11
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

Go to the next tab: Material.

Select Concrete C30/37. For concrete materials some parameters are taken from the national annex
(like Gamma and Alpha-values).
Creep and shrinkage values are calculated automatically, based on geometry and material, but some
time- (age and starting times) and environmental values (relative humidity) needs to be specified:

Set the age of concrete to 100 years

Loading starts at 28 days
Shrinkage starts at 7 days
Class S (Slow) for cement
Relative humidity: 50%
Return to the Material-tab. The Creep c. (U, Ua, Us)-value is the effective creep value, it can be
estimated at about 0.8 * calculated creep value for this example. Use 1.82.
The last tab, Stiffness, is only used if the user wants to set the default stiffnesses aside and change
them in some way. This is normally not needed.
When accepting the settings

Page | 12
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

Select the third of the blue input options, Polygon, and snap your way around the structure grid, like
in the picture above. Be sure to stand in the correct storey!
It is also possible define the slab as a rectangle and remove the corner using the Hole-command (4th
command in the toolbox)

Page | 13
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.1.4 Concrete columns

Start the Column command (1.). Select the Default settings (2.)
Select the settings shown in the following pictures. When placing the columns (3.) be sure that it has
the same height as the storey height.

1.

2.

3.

Page | 14
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

The first tab, General, doesn’t contain any

information we need at the moment, so continue
to 2nd tab, Section.
Select Concrete sections > Square > 400

In the 3rd tab, Material, select C30/37.

The creep coefficients are not the same as for the
slab, since some of the geometry parameters are
different, so calculate the new creep and
shrinkage factors, along with the effective creep
value.

Page | 15
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

As with the plate, we are skipping over the

Stiffness-tab and go to the End conditions-tab.
Here it is possible to select if the column should
be fixed or hinged, and with possibility to select
different ends for the conditions. For columns the
bottom end is always “Start” while the top is
“End”.
There are two macro-buttons for Fixed and
Hinged, it is often enough to select one of those
to set the end conditions for a column.
A hidden stability issue might occur if the user
sets the phi, x’-setting to checked for both ends.
In that case the column will rotate around its own
axis without any visual issue, it is possible to spot
it if a rotational result is presented, but it is better
to avoid it as it might cause unwanted stability
issues in the FE-calculation
The value for eccentricity can be set for example
for buttresses, if the user wants to make a wall stiffer in one point:

Page | 16
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.1.5 Steel columns

For the steel columns along the perimeter we select Steel section VKR 100x100x4.0. And with steel
material S355. Set the end conditions to hinged for both ends:

And for the Steel columns on top of the plate we select HEA 200 so that we need to keep in mind the
weak and stiff directions. Be sure to set the Placement to Above (1.), switch the direction (2.) for the
columns if needed. Watch the current column to see if it has the correct rotation. Then place it as in
the picture below.

Page | 17
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

3.

2.
1.

1.
It is possible to change the direction/rotation of a column afterwards in the Properties (?) for columns.
Select the Properties-function in the Columns toolbox, select the column you want to change the
rotation of (or any other property) and then change the rotation from 0° to 90° (or -90°):

2.

3.

1.

Page | 18
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.1.6 Concrete walls

On each side of the (3)-axis we will place walls, both above and below the plate.
Select Plane wall and with Default settings change the properties as below. Be sure to update the Creep
and Shrinkage coefficients.

Page | 19
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

In the bottom of the screen the command line is present. Enter coordinate x = 11.0, y=0.0 as: 11,0.

Then draw the wall up to Axis B, notice the perpendicular-snap. It is also possible to use the command
line and either enter the absolute coordinates or relative coordinates:
11,6
@0,6
Both options will give the same results.

Page | 20
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

Enter the 4 walls, either by coordinates or with the mouse cursor.

Close the room with two short walls in each end of both storeys:
The walls are usually drawn before taking up
holes since the walls are good for reference.
Start the Plane plate command and activate the
Hole-command. The commands then asks for a
plate to place the hole in, right-click on the plate
and then snap out the hole either using rectangle
or polygon (1.)-(5.) In the picture below.

Page | 21
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

The connection between the

walls and the slab will be
considered fixed, and it is not
necessaary to draw it with such
a detail as in real life, with
canterlivers of a few deci-
meters, as we are drawing a
analytical plane, rather than a
geometrical plane.

Page | 22
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

To create a door or window, the process is similar, but instead of selecting the Hole-command in the
Plate-function, switch over to the Wall-function.
Select Hole (1.) and then select one of the longer walls (2.)

The local coordinate system

will now change from the
plane of the plate to the plane
of the selected wall. This will
make it easier to draw the
hole as there is no need to
think of what the coordinate
in the global coordinate
system the door/window will
have.
Note where the origin of the
UCS (User coordinate system)
as tht will show the x- and y-
directions when defining the
hole.
Enter coordinates for a door,
2m high and 1m wide. The
location should be 2m from
the (A)-axis.

Page | 23
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

Expected result:

As a final action for walls, create walls along the eastern side. With properties the same as the previous
walls. Note that the settings are kept from the previous wall that was entered.

Page | 24
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.1.7 Beams
In this chapter we are learning more about modelling and different settings for beams of different
types.
2.1.7.1 Concrete beam
Along the (A)-line, between (1) and the stair case, a concrete beam with excentricity should be placed.

Page | 25
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

In the following pages the properties of the beam are presented.

The eccentricity is calculated as seen in the picture above.

− = − = 250 𝑚𝑚

Page | 26
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.1.7.2 Steel beams

In the roof structure we are going to model primary and secondary beams. The primary beams are HEA
200 while the secondary will be timber beams.
The direction (start -> end point) will be important when looking at the results, so be consistent when
drawing the beams, as it will depend when looking at graph-results where the start point (left end of
the graph) will be located.
Draw a mesh, similar to the one shown below using HEA 200 steel beams of S355 quality. Set them to
hinged in the ends.

Page | 27
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.1.7.3 Timber (Glulam) beams

As for the secondary timber beams, choose Timber sections > Glulam > 78x270.
For Timber bar materials kdef has to be defined. Select SC1, Glued Laminated timer > 0,60.

It doesn’t matter if you select the correct cross section since when doing the design a more suitable
cross section can be selected. It is good to have a cross section that are reasonable in size though, as
it will be a good starting point for the iteration to find the desired section.

Page | 28
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

Place the beams along the edges of the superstructure.

Page | 29
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.1.8 Supports
Even though we now have modelled most of the building it is not ready for calculation yet. One vital
component in the structure is supports, otherwise the calculation would not even start.
Select the Foundation-storey-view. This will make it easier to see all the places where the supports are
being placed.

Page | 30
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

The difference between Point Supports and Point Support Groups are that with the groups it is possible
to define all stiffnesses in all directions with one object. So select Point Support Group (not Point
Support)
Place Fixed (Rigid) supports at the bottom of evey column, either by snapping them to the bottom or
box select all bottom endpoints (Be sure to select the Endpoint-command and only box in the desired
points, as many other objects may have end points as well.

Supports can be placed in other locations as well, to set different boundary conditions. But they should
not be used on each storey to see the reaction forces for each floor, as they will not be able to transfer
more forces down to the foundation that way.

Page | 31
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

The difference between a rigid and hinged support can easily be spotted.

Rigid Hinged
As for the line supports, they are to be placed under the walls. The same goes for the line supports as
for the beams. When looking at the results it is important to know where the start point and end points
are.

It is possible to give the supports different properties as to have a compressive or tensile capacity
(plastic properties) or to say that it would detach from the structure if there are lifting forces. These
settings are often very time consuming and

Page | 32
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.1.9 Covers
Usually when the load bearing structure has been modelled there are a few gaps in the environmental
enclosure, i.e windows and non-loadbearing walls. These parts of the building will not be able to
transfer forces within the structure, only transfer them from the non-load bearing parts into the
structure.
This type of object in FEM-Design is called cover. There are two different choises, the most general
option that can be used for any type of structures are the first option Cover, the second option Building
Cover

1.

2.

When opening up the Default options there is only in fact one setting and that is the Default identifier
value CO. The properties of the covers are to distribute the loads to the closest load bearing object.
It is not necessary to place covers over plates and walls, since they can transfer their own loads.
We will be placing covers to enclose the environmental shell, start the Polyline option (2.). The cover
must be defined in a plane.
The first two covers are
defined on each side of
the concrete stairwell.
Snap around the corners
and end points of the
structural objects.

Page | 33
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

Continue around the structure and fill in any “holes”. If there are windows in the structure, it is possible
to define a small cover acting as a glass window.

Finally, define the roof cover.

Page | 34
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

The thin lines on the covers are the partition lines for the loads on the covers.

Page | 35
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.2 Loads
Next step is to go to the Loads-tab. This is the second of the three input-tabs (the third being Finite
elements). The user can freely move between these three tabs, building the model, adding loads and
checking the calculation mesh during the building of the structure.

1. 2. 3.

In the loads tab there are basically 3 different steps to do:

1. Define the load cases
2. Combine the load cases
3. Apply the loads in the load cases
We will go through the three steps in the following chapters.
2.2.1 Define load cases
The first button of the Loads-tab will be used to define load cases.

In the Name-field, enter a name for the load, this can be Dead load, Live load, Office load or any other
load that may act on the structure. In the Type-column select what kind of load it is.
Ordinary means a normal load. A load that will be applied on the structure. This may also
include dead loads that are not taken into consideration when modelling, such as dead load of
ventilation, non-loadbearing walls, flooring, but also live loads.
+Structural dead load (+SDL) is a special dead load case. All structural elements that has been
modelled will have a dead load, it is automatically added to a load case designated as +SDL.

Page | 36
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

This means that only one load case should have this type activated, otherwise the deadload
might be added twice in the calculation.
+Soil dead load is used for geotechnical calculations when buildings are placed on slopes and
the dead load of the soil might be an issue. It can also be used for checking soil stresses below
the foundation.
+Shrinkage will add the shrinkage-properties of the concrete and add them to this load case.
+Camber sim is a special type that will add prestressing-properties to prestressed concrete
beams and hollowcore-members
+Fire is a special type that is needed to do fire calculations
Duration class-column is used for Timber structures and will be used to change the kmod-factor
depending on the load.
2.2.2 Load combinations
The next step is to combine the load cases into combinations. The most direct approach is to use Load
combinations (↓+↓), but Load groups (↓A↓) is another feature.
Open Load combinations and enter a Name, then select the type (ultimate or serviceability limit states)
then the load case with the corresponding factor.

Page | 37
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.2.3 Applying loads

In the third step we will apply the actual loads to the structure. Most common are the Force-loads, but
there are also possibility to add temperature, stresses, support motions and masses for dynamic
responses.
We will apply surface loads on the structure. It is only possible to apply them on shell elements and
covers. Applying a surface load on a beam will result in a warning that it will be discarded.
Start Force > Surface load. The load-toolbox contains several useful functions:

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6.
7. 8.

1. Define new loads

2. Possibility to set a ordinary load or soil pressure
3. Defining the geometry by rectangles (circles, polygons or by selecting lines)…
4. …or select a whole surface-region (apply on the whole slab)
5. Set default properties
6. Set the load intensity
7. Select preset loads depending on the national annex/code
8. Set the direction of the load
Start to define a new load (1. And 5.). Set the
magnitude to 2 kN/m2 and assign it to load case
Roofing. Select [OK] and then we will apply it on the
structure outside the penthouse.
Snap around using te polyline-selection-tool:

Page | 38
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

As for the interior part we will add a Live load of 3 kN/m2. If a rectangular area is drawn over the interior
part of the penthouse a part of the surface load will be acting on a hole, and a warning that parts of
the load is acting outside of the structure. This is not a problem, it is just bad modelling, as the part of
the load, not the entire load, will be ignored.
So either define the load with a polygon or as a rectangle, but remove the staircase with the hole-
command:

Even though we have defined a load case called Screed (concrete topping) and assigned it to a load
combination, it will be used in the calculation. But since we havn’t defined any loads in the load case
it won’t be considered in the calculations.

Page | 39
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.3 Finite elements

Normally you don't have to put a lot of time into the mesh generation. FEM-Design has a automatic
and powerful mesh generator, that will automatically calculate the optimal average element size. If
you skip this tab completely the program will make this for you, but it is always good to have a visual
check to see that the mesh corresponds with the measurements above.

Click on the function Prepare to view the mesh.

A good mesh might vary depending on what object is selected. For floors a mesh with 0,5-1,0m
between the nodes and for walls the mesh is often desired to be a bit denser, 0,2-0,5m. For the walls
in this model (if identical to the picture above) this is too sparse (2 elements/3m height, instead of the
recommended 6-15 elements/3m height), so we will look at the Settings to verify that we might need
to change some settings.

In order to get accurate results when analysing according to 2nd order theory,
compressed columns needs to be divided into several elements. A number between
4 and 6 is a good balance between calculation speed and estimation of the result.

Press Save as default to have these settings as default for your next model, and OK to close the settings.
The settings are saved in the file, so by sending in a file to the support, a colleague or
to a different computer you don’t have to worry about checking the settings in this
particular file, be aware that the other computer might have oter settings when
opening new files though!

When all inputs are done and the settings for the calculations are defined the user can go to the next
phase, the Calculation

Page | 40
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.4 Calculation

Page | 41
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.5 Analysis
The general process of designing a building includes ultimate limit state design, and then serviceability
state verification, but also pure analytical considerations, that might not be covered in the design code,
like verification of moments, shear forces, stability, eigenfrequencies and deflections.
2.5.1 Analysis options
The following calculations can be performed:
Load cases – Analysis for all defined load cases.
Imperfections – Imperfection calculation according to EC3: 1-1. The program calculates the
probable imperfection shapes in real dimensions from the mode shapes (from stability
analysis). Second order design must be run to calculate imperfections. Valid for
columns/beams/bars (steel).
Load combinations – Analysis for all defined load combinations. You can also get results for
the maximum of load combinations.
Maximum of load groups – Analysis to extract results from load groups.
Stability analysis – Analyse the global stability of the structure (columns/beams/bars). The
program calculates the buckling shape and the critical parameter for the selected load
combinations.
Eigenfrequencies – Dynamic analysis to calculate vibration shapes of the model, their own
eigen frequencies and free vibration values. Requires masses to be defined.
Seismic analysis – Calculate forces according to Response Spectrum Analysis.
More details about the different analyses can be found in the user manual.
2.5.2 Load combiations
Select Load combinations and click on Setup by load combinations.

Page | 42
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

It is here it is possible to change the types of calculations that should be performed, in this example
we should deselect the PL-X’s to reduce calulation time, especially for the EQU-combination.

NLE = Non-linear elements

PL = Plastic analysis (non-linear effects of supports, edge connections and trusses)
NLS = Non-lnear soil (only valid option for 3D Soil-elements)
Cr. = Cracked calculations (only valid with applied reinforcement)
2nd = 2nd order calculation
Im. = Imperfections (used for design of steel structures using EN1993
Ground water level = Possibility to set different GWL’s if more than one is available.

Page | 43
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.5.3 Performing the analysis

Select Load cases, Load combinations and stability analysis and press OK
The second checkbox is currently empty, but after the calculation they will show if there is a complete
set of valid results.

During the calculation window might show some interresting information:

Among them are (if Plastic calculation was
enabled) showing the load level reached.
Values under 100% reached indicate that there
are not enough capacity in the structure to
analytically handle the loads, so any design
result will not be valid, in that case (since not
all loads can be accounted for).
There are also initial information about how
many equations the program has to solve for.
Each equation represent one degree of
freedom in the model. By having few finite
elements the number of degrees of freedom
will be fewer, and the calculation faster on the
cost of precision.

Page | 44
STRUSOFT INTRO-COURSE FEM-DESIGN 3D STRUCTURE 20.0
ACADEMY

2.5.4 Results: Displacements

To show the displacement of the structure, select New result (+) (1.), Maximum of load combinations
> Translational displacements > ez- (2.), set the Load combination to the desired maximum of...-type,
choose Sf - Frequent. ez- will show the greatest deformation in the negative direction of the z-axis
(downwards in our model). ez+ would show the greatest deformation in positive z-direction (or least
deformation in negative z-direction). In order to show the numerical value select the Numerical result-
command (3.). In order to show the biggest deflection select the Find only absolute maximum/
/minimum and box in the structure (4.), if you want to add individual points of interest select the Select
and right click on the FEM-mesh in the 3D view.
By moving the mouse cursor over any point in the deformmed structure, it is possible to see the
maximum deflection and at which load combination it belongs.

1 3

Maximum of load combinations will use different settings depending on the result. For
displacements (and cracks) the serviceability limit states will be used, for all other results
the ultimate limit states will be used.

Displacements are good results to use to verify that the structure behaves as expected.

Page | 45