SAP 2000 K.

JENAGARAJ

Introductory Tutorial

Figure 1 : The Tutorial Model

The tutorial project is a five panel, sloped truss bridge. The bridge spans 60 feet, and has a
width and height of 12 feet each. The supports are rollers at one end, and pins at the other.

The trusses and cross members are to be constructed of 2L4X4’s, while the deck will be a
concrete slab 5 inches thick. The bridge will be analyzed for static loads only, and the deck
will be loaded with a Dead Load = 10 pounds per square foot (psf) and a Live Load = 100 psf.

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

The Interface

The top menu line contains all of the commands and options available to SAP2000, including
Define, Draw, Select, Assign, Analyze, Display and Design.

Figure 2 : Interface

Menu Line

Units

Step 1 - Begin a New Model

Figure 3 : Model Template

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Figure 4 : New Coord/Grid System form

Figure 5 : SAP2000 windows

Display Title Bar (active) 2

Global Axes

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Figure 6 : The Frame Properties form

Figure 7 : Import Double Angle

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Figure 8 : Sections8.pro sections list

Figure 9 : Auto Selection Sections form

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Step 2 - Add Frame Objects

Figure 10 : Properties of Object box

Replicating Objects
Select the transverse member spanning between the longitudinal chords by a left click directly
on the member, or left click to the right of the object, and while holding the left mouse button
down, drag the mouse across the member. See Figure 11 for selection options.

Figure 11 : Graphical Selection Options

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Figure 12 : Replicate box

Figure 13 : Assign Automatic Frame Subdivide form

Figure 14 : Select mode for Trim

Click Click

Click Click

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Figure 15 : Model after frame objects have been added in plan

Figure 16 : Model after all frame objects have been added

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Figure 17 : Assign Frame Releases form

Step 3 - Add Area Objects

Figure 18 : Area Section Data form

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

 SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Draw the Area Object

Click the Draw Quad Area button, or go to the Draw menu > Draw Quad Area command. The
Properties of Object pop-up box for areas will appear as shown in Figure 19.

Figure 19 : Properties of Object box

Figure 20 Display Options for Active Windows form

Figure 21 : Model after the area object has been drawn

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Step 4 - Add Restraints

Figure 22 : Joint Restraints form

➢ Click on the roller button to assign restraints in the Translation 3 direction for these
two joints. Click OK to accept the changes.
➢ Click on the two joints marking the left ends of the two bottom chords. The lower left-
hand corner of the interface should indicate “2 Points selected”.
➢ Click on the Assign menu > Joint > Restraints command to bring up the Joint Restraints
form.
➢ Click on the pinned button to assign restraints in the Translation 1, 2, & 3 directions
for these two joints. Click OK to accept the changes.
➢ Click the File menu > Save command, or the Save button, to save your model.

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Step 5 - Define Load Cases

Figure 23 : Define Loads form

Figure 24 : The Define Loads form after all load cases have been defined

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Step 6 - Assign Gravity Loads

Figure 25 : Area Uniform Loads form

Step 7 - Assign Area Stiffness Modifiers

Figure 26 : Property/Stiffness Modification Factors form

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Step 8 - Run the Analysis

Figure 27 : Set Analysis Cases to Run form

Step 9 - Graphically Review the Analysis Results

Figure 28 : Member Force Diagram for Frames form

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Figure 29 : Axial force diagram in an elevation view

Figure 30 : Force details obtained by right-clicking top chord of truss in the elevation view
in Figure 29

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Figure 31 Deformed Shape form

Figure 32 : Deformed Shape in an elevation view

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Figure 33 : Joint Displacements obtained by right clicking a joint shown in the elevation view
in Figure 32

Step 10 - Design the Steel Frame Objects

Figure 34 : Steel Frame Design Preferences form

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Figure 35 : Model after the initial steel frame design

Figure 36 : Analysis vs Design Section warning message

Figure 37 : Steel Stress Check Information form

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000

SAP 2000 K. JENAGARAJ

Figure 38 : Steel Stress Check Information AISCASD89 form

Figure 39 : Analysis vs Design Section message

Figure 40 : Stress/capacity check message

COMPLETE TUTORIAL – SAP 2000