Tutorial 2

PLANT STRUCTURE
TUTORIAL 2. PLANT STRUCTURE

Summary ······································································································1
Analysis Model and Load Cases / 2

File Opening and Preferences Setting ····················································3

Unit System / 3
Grid Setup / 3
User Coordinate System (UCS) Setup / 4

Enter Material and Section Properties ····················································5

Structural Modeling Using Nodes and Elements ··································9

Generate Column Elements / 9
Generate Roof Truss / 10
Switch the Direction of Roof Truss Bottom Chords / 12
Generate Floor Story Girders/Beams / 14
Generate 3-D Frame / 15
Generate Roof Girders and Remove Columns / 19
Generate Longitudinal Truss / 20
Generate Wind Braces / 22
Complete 3–D Modeling By Mirror Duplication / 23

Enter Structure Support Conditions ···················································· 24

Enter Loading Data ·················································································· 25

Setup Load Cases / 25
Define Self Weight / 26
Define Floor Load / 27
Define Inclined Roof Load / 30
Define X-Direction Wind Load / 31
Define Y-Direction Wind Load / 35
Confirm the status of model data input prepared using Works Tree / 36
Perform Structural Analysis ·································································· 38

Verify and Interpret Analysis Results ·················································· 38

Load Combinations / 38
Verify Reactions / 40
Displacement Contour / 41
Verify Member Stresses and Process Animation / 45
 TUTORIAL 2.
PLANT STRUCTURE

Summary

This Tutorial presents an efficient method of modeling and analyzing a plant

structure.

The fundamentals and the essential functions of MIDAS CIVL NX are covered in
“Tutorial 1”.

Some of the functions introduced in “Tutorial 1” will be revisited in ‘Tutorial 2”.

Additional functions not covered in “Tutorial 1” will be introduced in “Tutorial 2”

The step-by-step modeling and analysis processes presented in this example are
the following:

1. File Opening and Preferences Setting

2. Enter Material and Section Properties
3. Structure Modeling using Nodes and Elements
4. Enter Structure Support conditions
5. Enter Loading Data
6. Confirm the status of model data input prepared using Works Tree
7. Perform Structural Analysis
8. Verify and Interpret Analysis Results

1
Tutorial 2

Analysis Model and Load Cases

The geometric shape, boundary conditions and members for the plant structure are
shown in Figure Analysis Model. The load cases commonly encountered in real
structures are considered for the model. The load combinations are generated in the
post-processing stage.

 Load Case 1 – Self Weight

 Load Case 2 – Dead loads on the floors and the inclined roof
0.1 ksf on the floors
0.015 ksf on the inclined roof
 Load Case 3 – Live load, 0.1 ksf on the floors
 Load Case 4 – Live load, 0.02 ksf on the inclined roof
 Load Case 5 – Uniformly distributed load, 0.1 k/f on every
member in theX-direction
 Load Case 6 – Concentrated load, 5 kips on every node in the
Y-direction

6'-0
10'-0

3'-0
10'-0
10'-0

26
'-0

In this example, an 26'

-0
identical section 26'-
0
number has been
26'- 32'-0
attributed to the exterior 0
32'-0
columns and roof
girders for simplicity.
However, in practice, Material Type A36
for efficiency in
Section Type
structural analysis and 
design, it is advisable to 1: W 16  67 : exterior columns, roof level girders
assign separate section 2: W 14  90 : interior columns
numbers to members 3: W 18  65 : floor girders / beams
with different structural 4: W 4  13 : topbottom chords of exterior trusses
characteristics such as
5: WT 7  24 : topbottom chords of interior trusses
loadings and boundary
conditions even if the 6: WT 4  9 : vertical and diagonal members of roof trusses
sections are the same. 7: L 4  4  5/16 : wind braces

Analysis Model
2
 File Opening and Preferences Setting

File Opening and Preferences Setting

Select File>New Project (or ) to begin modeling and select File>Save (or )
to save the work in the given file name.

Unit System

In this example, “ft” and “kip” are the basic units.

1. Select Tools>Unit System in the Main Menu.

2. Select “ft” in the Length selection field.
3. Select “kips(kips/g)” in the Force (Mass) selection field.
4. Click .

Grid Setup

Grid displays reference points or lines in the working window to help the user
readily enter the nodes or elements.

To execute the grid function in MIDAS CIVL NX, use View>Grids>Point Grid
and Line Grid. If Grid and Snap are used in combination, the mouse cursor will
automatically snap to the closest grid.

Point Grid and Line Grid can be used separately or jointly. In this case,
Point Grid is used.

1. Click Define Point Grid in Main Menu > Structure > Grids
2. Enter “2, 2” in the dx, dy field.
Model Boundary 3. Click .
defines the Grid display
boundary.

3
Tutorial 2

User Coordinate System (UCS) Setup

The conversion of the GCS X-Z plane into the UCS x-y plane is reviewed in
“Tutorial 1”.

Similarly, for this example, the GCS X-Z plane is assigned as the UCS x-y plane
to model the columns and the roof truss on grid ○
A of the structure (see Figure

Analysis Model).

1. Click X-Z in the Main Menu > UCS > X-Z.

2. Confirm “0, 0, 0” in the Origin field.
3. Confirm “0” in the Angle field.
If you click
after checking () 4. Check () “Change View Direction”.
Change View Direction,
View Point changes
automatically so that 5. Click .
the working window
corresponds to the UCS
plane.

UCS Setup

4
 Enter Material and Section Properties

Enter Material and Section Properties

Material properties and section data for members may be entered anytime,
regardless of the generation of elements. However, it is most convenient to define
such data prior to generating elements. Member sizes and shapes can then be viewed
by the Hidden function as the structure is modeled.

Select Properties>Material Properties in the Main Menu to enter the material

properties and section data.

The material properties and section data of the structural members are as follows:

 Material type A36

 Section type
1: W 16  67 : exterior columns, roof level girders
2: W 14  90 : interior columns
3: W 18  65 : floor girders/beams
4: W 4  13 : topand bottom chords of exterior trusses
5: WT 7  24 : topand bottom chords of interior trusses
6: WT 4  9 : vertical and diagonal members of roof trusses
7: L 4  4  5/16 : wind braces
In the material and
section types, the part
in front of “:” represents
the inherent member
numbering, and the part
after “:” represents the
member designation.

5
Tutorial 2

Material Definition

6
 Enter Material and Section Properties

For simplicity, all the member sections are chosen from the AISC sizes stored in
MIDAS CIVL NX.

1. Select Properties>Material Properties in the Main Menu

2. Click .
3. Confirm “1” in the Material Number field.
A default in the
Standard field can be 4. Confirm “Steel” in the Type selection field.
assigned in advance by
Tools>Preferences.
5. Select “ASTM(S)” in the Standard selection field.
6. Select “A36” in the DB selection field.
7. Enter “Frame” in the Name field.
Name plays the role
of Description to 8. Click .
distinguish the material
properties. It is not 9. Select the Section tab at the top of the Properties dialog box.
related to any physical
properties. By selecting 10. Click .
the DB type, an identical
name is automatically 11. Confirm the DB/User tab at the top of the Section Data dialog box.
attributed to the Name 12. Confirm “1” in the Section ID field.
field.
13. Confirm “I-Section” in the Section selection field.
14. Confirm “AISC” in the DB selection field.
By entering the first part 15. Select “W 16  67” in the Sect. Name selection field.
of the member’s name
in the Section Name 16. Click .
field, the member’s
name is automatically 17. Enter “2” to “4” in Section ID (I-section) by repeating steps 15 and 16.
searched from the Drop 18. Enter the remaining section data for T and Angle sections following the
List.
procedure similar to that for I-sections.
19. Finally, click in the dialog box.
20. Confirm if there is any error in the member selection and click .

By using the Point Grid in the previously defined UCS x-y plane, position the
elements located on grid A of the structure. Generate the elements by following
the procedure below and by selecting Node/Element > Create Elements in the
Main Menu.

7
Tutorial 2

Define Section Properties

8
 Structural Modeling Using Nodes and Elements

Structural Modeling Using Nodes and Elements

Generate Column Elements

1. Click Hidden in the Icon Menu or in View > Hidden.

2. Click Node Number and Element Number in the Icon Menu
(Toggle on).
3. Click Point Grid Snap in View > Grid (Toggle on).
4. Select Node/Element > Create Elements in the Main Menu.
5. Confirm “General beam/Tapered beam” in the Element Type
selection field.
6. Confirm “1 : Frame” in the Material Name selection field.
7. Confirm “1 : W 16  67” in the Section Name selection field.
8. Confirm “0” in the Beta Angle selection field.
9. Generate elements 1 & 2 (exterior columns) by linking the positions (0,
While generating 0, 0) and (0, 30, 0) and positions (64, 0, 0) and (64, 30, 0) relative to
elements, if the window
area is too small or the the UCS coordinates noted at the bottom of the screen with the mouse
position is unsuitable, cursor.
the user may adjust the
window by using Zoom 10. Select “2 : W 14  90” in the Section Name selection field.
or Pan. 11. Select “90” in the Beta Angle selection field.
12. Assign successively positions (32, 0, 0) and (32, 30, 0) relative to UCS
to generate element 3.
If the node numbering
does not operate
automatically, click the
Nodal Connectivity field
once and execute step
12.

Column element Input

9
Tutorial 2

Generate Roof Truss

The procedure for generating the roof trusses in the UCS x-y plane is illustrated
next. Even if the shape of the structure is complex such as the roof trusses,
Civil supports Structure Structure Wizard can be a useful tool for standardized structures.
Wizard for various
structures to expedite
the modeling of The Truss Wizard has 3 dialog boxes that serve the following purposes:
standardized structures.
Beam  Input tab: Assign the size and shape of the truss
Column
Arch  Edit tab: Determine whether the member is vertical and assign the
Frame
material properties and sections of the truss
Truss
Plate  Insert tab: Assign the position and orientation angles to set the defined
Shell
Suspension Bridge truss in the model
Cable Stayed Bridge
ILM Bridge When a truss is auto-generated by Truss Wizard, top and bottom chords are
FCM Bridge
MSS Bridge
classified as Beam Elements and vertical and diagonal members are classified as
FSM Bridge Truss Elements.
Transverse Model
Grillage Model
RC Slab Bridge First of all, click as shown in figure above and switch to the Main Menu.
RC Frame/Box Then, execute Structure>Base Structures>Truss to start modeling.
PSC Bridge

Generation of Roof Truss

10
 Structural Modeling Using Nodes and Elements

1. Click as shown in figure above.

2. Click Structure>Base Structures>Truss in the Main Menu.
3. Select the roof truss shape in the Type of the Input tab.
4. Confirm “4” in the Number of Panels field.
5. Enter “32” in the L field (length of truss).
6. Enter “6” in the H2 field (height of truss).
7. Select “Symmetric” in the Option selection field.

Check () Show

Dimensions. Then the
screen displays the
values of L and H2.
1. Select the Edit tab.
2. Check () Verticals in Insertion.
3. Select “1: Frame” in the Material selection field.
4. Select 5 (WT 7  24) in the Top (top chord) selection field of Section.
5. Select 5 (WT 7  24) in the Bottom (bottom chord) selection field.
The material properties 6. Select 6: (WT 4  9) in the Vertical (vertical members) selection field.
and section numbers 7. Select “6 (WT 4  9)” in the Diagonal (diagonal members) selection
can be directly entered
by moving around the field.
entry fields using the
Tab key.

Check () Show

Member No. to display
1. Select the Insert tab.
the member numbers in
the Wizard Model 2. Enter (0,30,0) relative to the UCS in the Insert Point field or click the
Window. field once and node 2 at the top end of element 1 with the mouse.
3. Confirm “1 (0, 0, 0)” in the Origin Point selection field.
4. Click on Assign button under Beam End Release and un-check all the
checked Elements to remove beam end release.
5. Click .
6. Click .
If the truss data results
are different from that in 7. Click Zoom Fit.
figure below, click
Undo and modify the 8. Click to exit the Truss Wizard dialog box.
data for Structure
Wizard Truss.

11
Tutorial 2

It is easier to select the

bottom chord if ‘x’ is
selected in the Filter
field.

(a) Input (b) Edit (c) Insert

Truss Wizard

Switch the Direction of Roof Truss Bottom Chords

The roof truss generated by Structure Wizard is shown in figure above.

The T-shape section members are used for the bottom chord of the roof truss and
the section is non-symmetrical about the strong axis. Click Iso View,
Shrink, and Zoom Window to magnify the bottom chord of the truss.
Observation of the section of the bottom chord will show that the web is oriented
downward.

During the data entry, The joint detail at the bottom chord to which the vertical or diagonal members
analysis of results or connect shows that the web of the bottom chord must be oriented upward for easier
design steps, it is most fabrication. The method that revises the section orientation such that the web is
efficient to assign the
specific elements by oriented upward is examined.
group. Group is an
extremely useful tool for
data entry, results
The bottom chord is selected by Group, which selects and saves the entity as

interpretation and determined by the user in advance.
design. Specific
elements are grouped.
1. Click Select Window in the Icon Menu and drag the mouse from left
to right to select only the roof truss bottom chord.

12
 Structural Modeling Using Nodes and Elements

2. In the Tree Menu > Group > Structure Group (or Click Group Icon),
Right-click the mouse on the Structure Group and then select New to
enter “Roof Bottom Chord”.
3. From the Structure Group drag “Roof Bottom Chord” with the mouse
and drop it to the model window.
4. Click Shrink in the Icon Menu (Toggle on).
5. Click Iso View in the Icon Menu.
6. Click Zoom Window in the Icon Menu (Toggle on).
7. Magnify  shown in figure below to confirm the orientation of the
bottom chord.
8. Select the “Roof Bottom Chord” group and double-click the mouse.
9. Execute Node/Element>Elements>Change Element Parameters in the
Main Menu.
10. Select Element Local Axis in the Parameter Type selection field.
11. Select Assign in the Mode selection field.
Double click the Roof
Bottom Chord group, 12. Select Beta Angle in the Mode selection field.
then the nodes and 13. Select “180” in the Beta Angle field.
elements assigned as
Roof Bottom Chord 14. Click .
group will be selected
as done in step 8.

Switching the Bottom Chord Beta Angle

13
Tutorial 2

Generate Floor Story Girders/Beams

Use Point Grid Snap to generate the 2 intermediate floor girders.

1. Click Auto Fitting in the Icon Menu (Toggle on).

2. Click Front View in the Icon Menu.
3. Select Create Elements in the function list.
4. Select “3: W 18  65” in the Section Name selection field.
5. Confirm “0” in the Beta Angle field.
When connecting a new 6. Check () Elem and Node of Intersect.
element to a particular
node on a column, use 7. Click the Nodal Connectivity field once.
Elem in the Intersect
8. Assign positions (0, 10, 0) and (32, 10, 0) relative to the UCS to
field to divide the
column member generate the first girder.
automatically at the 9. Assign positions (0, 20, 0) and (32, 20, 0) relative to the UCS to
relevant node.
generate the second girder.

Generation of Floor Girders

14
 Structural Modeling Using Nodes and Elements

Generate 3-D Frame

By using the completed 2-D frame, duplicate 2 frames in the GCS Y-direction at
an interval of 26 ft.

First, switch the window to the 3-D state. When selecting elements to be
duplicated, exclude the 2 floor girders. Two floor girders will be duplicated later
with the small beams simultaneously.

1. Select GCS within View > UCS/GCS > GCS in the Main Menu.
2. Select Iso View in the Icon Menu.
3. Click Select All in the Icon Menu.
4. Click Select Single in the Icon Menu and click the girders (elements
33 and 36) so that they are not duplicated.
5. Select Translate Elements in the functions selection field.
6. Confirm “Copy” in the Mode selection field.
7. Select “Equal Distance” in the Translation selection field.
8. Enter “0, 26, 0” in the dx, dy, dz field or use Mouse Editor to enter the
data automatically.
9. Enter “2” in the Number of Times field.
10. Click .
11. Click Element Number in the Icon Menu (Toggle off).
12. Click Shrink in the Icon Menu (Toggle off).
13. Click Select Single in the Icon Menu and select the two girders with
the mouse
In Civil, numerical
values as well as 14. Enter “0, 26/3, 0” in the dx, dy, dz field.
equations may be used 15. Enter “6” in the Number of Times field.
simultaneously. Most
operators used in 16. Click .
engineering can be
used.

15
Tutorial 2

Duplicated 3-D Frame

16
 Structural Modeling Using Nodes and Elements

Generate Floor Girders

Create the floor girders by connecting the longitudinal sides of the floors as shown
in figure below. To avoid confusion between the existing point grid and the nodes,
toggle off Point Grid and Point Grid Snap.

1. Click Point Grid and Point Grid Snap in View > Grids and in
View > Snaps, respectively (Toggle off).
2. Select Create Elements in the functions selection field.
3. Confirm “General Beam/Tapered Beam” in the Element Type
selection field.
4. Confirm “1: Frame” in the Material Name selection field.
5. Confirm “3: W 18  65” in the Section Name selection field.
6. Confirm “0” in the Beta Angle selection field.
7. Check () Elem and Node of Intersect.
8. Assign nodes 20 (0, 0, 10) to 48 (0, 52, 10) to generate the lower floor
girders on grid ○
1 of Figure Analysis Model.

9. Assign nodes 21 (32, 0, 10) to 52 (32, 52, 10) to generate the lower
floor girders on grid ○
2 .

10. Assign nodes 22 (0, 0, 20) to 68 (0, 52, 20) to generate the upper floor
girders on grid ○
1 .

11. Assign nodes 23 (32, 0, 20) to 69 (32, 52, 20) to generate the upper
floor girders on grid ○
2 .

17
Tutorial 2

Generation of Floor Story Girders/Beams

18
 Structural Modeling Using Nodes and Elements

Generate Roof Girders and Remove Columns

Use Create Elements to generate the roof-level girders and remove the
generated column elements unnecessarily duplicated during the copy process.

1. Select “1: W 16  67” in the Section Name selection field.

2. Confirm “0” in the Beta Angle selection field.
3. Assign nodes 2 (0, 0, 30) to 53 (0, 52, 30) to generate the roof-level
girders.
4. Assign nodes 16 (32, 0, 36) to 64 (32, 52, 36) to generate the roof-
level girders.
5. Select Delete Elements in the functions selection field.
6. Confirm “Picking” in the Type selection field.
7. Click Rotate Dynamic to rotate the model to the desired orientation
for a clear view of the model.
8. Confirm that Element Snap is on (in View > Snap from the Main
Menu).
9. Remove the column elements in figure below by assigning with the
mouse.

Generation of Roof Girders

19
Tutorial 2

Generate Longitudinal Truss

Use Structure Wizard to generate the longitudinal truss on grid  of the structure
(Figure Analysis Model). Use Rotate Left (in View>View Point) or Rotate
Dynamic (in the Icon Menu) to change the view by rotating the model to the desired
orientation. The generation of the longitudinal truss is similar to that of the roof-
level truss and the procedure is as follows:

1. Click Rotate Dynamic in the Icon Menu and rotate the model as
When Wizard Model is shown in figure below.
inserted into the main
model, Alpha, Beta and 2. Select Structure>Structure Wizard>Truss in the Main Menu.
Gamma represent the
3. Select the truss shape in the Type selection field of the Input tab.
rotation angles which
the partial model is to 4. Enter “8” in the Number of Panels (number of divisions of Top & Bot.
be rotated about GCS Chords) field.
X, Y and Z-axes,
respectively. 5. Enter “26” in the L field (length of truss).
6. Enter “3” in the H1 field (height of truss).
If Show No. is
checked(), the node 7. Select “Symmetric” in the Option selection field.
numbers will be 8. Check () Show Dimensions and confirm L and H1.
displayed on the screen
which will enable the
user to find the Origin
Point.

Select the Edit tab.

1. Select “1 : Frame” in the Material selection field.
2. Enter 4 (W 4 13) in the Top (top chord) field.
3. Enter 4 (W 4 13) in the Bottom (bottom chord) field.
4. Enter 6 (WT 4  9) in the Diagonal (diagonal member) field.
5. Check () Merge Straight Members.

1. Select the Insert tab.

2. Enter “64, 0, 30” in the Insert Point field or use Mouse Editor to assign
node 4.
3. Enter “90” in the Gamma field of Rotations.
4. Select “12 (0, 0, 3)” in the Origin Point selection field.

20
 Structural Modeling Using Nodes and Elements

5. Click on Assign button under Beam End Release and un-check all the
checked Elements to remove beam end release.
6. Click .
7. Click .
8. Confirm if the longitudinal truss is correctly generated and click
in the Truss Wizard dialog box.
9. Click Iso View in the Icon Menu.

 Comment 1. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…
When using MIDAS CIVL NX, the use of Query is a handy tool to find the distance between nodes or the
length of an element.
Selecting the Query>Query Nodes or Query Elements menus will display the Query dialog box. If the Node tab at
the top is selected and if two nodes are selected with the mouse, the Message window will indicate the positions and
the distance between the two nodes.
Similarly, select Element in the Query dialog box and assign the desired element with the mouse, then the element
and length data will appear in the Message window.

Generation of Longitudinal truss

21
Tutorial 2

Generate Wind Braces

1. Select Create Elements in the functions selection field.

2. Select “Truss” in the Element Type selection field.
3. Confirm “1 : Frame” in the Material Name selection field.
4. Select “7 : L 4  4  5/16” in the Section Name selection field.
5. If Node and Elem of Intersect are already checked (), click once
If Elem of Intersect is again to remove the check.
checked (), remove
the check to avoid the
6. Connect nodes 5 (32, 0, 0) and 4 (64, 0, 30) of the X-Z plane to generate
automatic division of the wind brace.
elements at the
7. Connect nodes 6 (32, 0, 30) and 3 (64, 0, 0) to generate the wind
intersection points of X-
shape wind braces. brace.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to generate the remaining wind braces in the roof
floor and the Y-Z plane.
When nodes are to be
identified for member
generation, set
Hidden to Toggle off
or use Zoom and
Rotate to change the
View Point until it
becomes easier to
manipulate the model.

Generation of Wind Braces

22
 Structural Modeling Using Nodes and Elements

Complete 3–D Modeling By Mirror Duplication

The structure is symmetrical about grid ○

C (Figure Analysis Model). The structure

modeled up to this point is mirror-duplicated with respect to grid ○

C , thereby

completing the entire model.

1. Click Node Number in the Icon Menu (Toggle off).

2. Click Shrink in the Icon Menu (Toggle on).
3. Click Left View in View > View Point from the Main Menu.
4. Select Mirror Elements in the functions selection field.
5. Click Select Window in the Icon Menu.
6. Drag the mouse from right to left as shown in figure below to select the
nodes and elements to be duplicated.
As Snap cannot be 7. Select “Copy” in the Mode selection field.
executed when
Select Window is 8. Select z-x plane in Reflection and assign any node in the plane containing
Toggled on, switch grid C to specify “52” automatically (see Figure Analysis Model).
Select Window to
Toggle off before 9. Click .
executing step 8.
10. Click Iso View in the Icon Menu.

When selecting
members for duplication,
exclude the elements
contained in the plane of
symmetry. When using
Select Window, only
the elements completely
included in the window
are selected by dragging
the mouse from left to
right, and the elements
intersecting the
boundary of the window
are also selected by
dragging the mouse
from right to left. For this
reason the mouse is
dragged from right to
left.

Mirror Duplication

23
Tutorial 2

Enter Structure Support Conditions

When the entire model is complete, attribute the support conditions to the lower
ends of the columns. In this example, assume that the lower ends of the columns
are pinned (pin support).

1. Select the Boundary tab (in the Tree Menu) as shown in figure below.
2. Confirm Supports in the functions selection field.
3. Click Select Plane in View > Select > Plane from the Main Menu.
4. Select “XY Plane”.
5. Enter “0” in the Z Position field (Z-axis coordinate of the lower ends of
the columns to receive support conditions). Click or assign any
node at the lower end of a column with the mouse and click .
6. Confirm “Add” in the Options selection field.
7. Check () “D-ALL” in the Support Type selection field.
When the coordinates
of a node has been 8. Click .
defined by Node Local
Axis, the restraints are
also defined with
respect to the Node
Coordinate.

Defining Support Conditions

24
 Enter Loading Data

Enter Loading Data

Setup Load Cases

Set up load cases before entering the loading data.

1. Select the Load tab within the Tree Menu.

2. Click the button to the right of Load Case Name.
3. Enter the load cases in the Static Load Cases dialog box as shown in
Refer to “Load Cases figure below.
Setup” of “Tutorial 1” or
On-line Manual.

Separate Roof Live

Load from normal floor
Live Load. A different
live load factor is
applied to roof live load
in LRFD or Limit States
Design.

Data Entry for Load Cases

25
Tutorial 2

Define Self Weight

The Self Weight of the structure is computed automatically, reflecting the

densities and the volumes, when the material properties and sections of members
are defined. The self-weight of the structure is taken into account in the analysis
with respect to the gravity direction or any other defined direction by the given
factors through the Self Weight command.

Observe the following procedure to specify the self-weight:

1. Select Self Weight in the functions selection field.

2. Confirm “Self Weight” in the Load Case Name selection field.
3. Enter “-1” in the Z field of Self Weight Factor.
4. Click in the Operation selection field.

Data Entry of Self Weight

26
 Enter Loading Data

Define Floor Load

Specify the floor loads.

As the structure configurations and the magnitudes of floor loads are identical in
this example, the floor loads on both floors are defined simultaneously.

Activate only the loaded planes to avoid any error during the data entry in Assign
Floor Load.

The size of Floor Load

Label may be adjusted in
the Size tab in
Display Option.

Data Entry for Floor Loads

27
Tutorial 2

1. Select Assign Floor Loads in the functions selection field.

2. Click the button to the right of Load Type.
3. Enter “Floor” in the Name field of Floor Load Type & Description.
4. Enter “Top and Bottom identical” in the Description field.
5. Select “DL” in the Load Case 1. selection field of the Floor Load &
Load Case and enter “- 0.1” in the Floor Load field.
6. Select “LL” in the Load Case 2. selection field and enter “- 0.1” in the
If Sub Beam Weight is
checked(), the value of
Floor Load field.
Unit Self Weight specified
7. Click .
for the unmodeled sub-
beams are added to the 8. Click .
floor load of the load
cases in which the check 9. Select “Floor” in the Load Type selection field.
() is marked.
10. Select “One Way” in the Distribution selection field.
11. Check () Copy Floor Load to enter the floor loads of the top and
bottom floors simultaneously.
12. Confirm “z” in the Axis selection field.
13. Enter “10” in the Distances field.
If Convert to Beam
Load Type is not 14. Click Front View in the Icon Menu.
checked (), the load
data will be saved as 15. Click Select Window in the Icon Menu and drag the mouse from left
floor load and future to right to select only the bottom floor.
modification will be
easy. 16. Click Activate in the Icon Menu.
17. Click Node Number in the Icon Menu (Toggle on).
18. Click Iso View in the Icon Menu.
19. Click the Nodes Defining Loading Area field once and assign
During the floor load sequentially the nodes (104, 20, 21, 108, 104) forming an irregular
generation in Civil, the
polygon plane defining the loaded area.
user is cautioned to
properly define Load
20. Click Shrink in the Icon Menu (Toggle off).
Angle (A1) and Sub-
Beam Angle (A2) in 21. Click Activate All in the Icon Menu.
specifying the loaded
area. The angles are
22. To see the applied floor load on the second floor, in View > Display >
determined on the basis Load tab, check floor load and then click OK
of the line defined by
the 1st and 2nd nodes.
(Refer to On-line
Manual).

28
 Enter Loading Data

Floor load Input

29
Tutorial 2

Define Inclined Roof Load

Apply the dead and live loads of the inclined roof on the top chords of the roof
trusses (beam elements).

Floor Load may be applied to any plane in the model in MIDAS CIVL NX. Hence,
dead and live loads acting on an inclined roof as well as snow loads and wind
loads, may be specified by Floor Load.

Use Floor Load to enter the dead and live loads acting on the inclined roof in the
example.

1. Click Front View in the Icon Menu.

2. Click Hidden in the Icon Menu (Toggle off).
3. Confirm Assign Floor Loads in the functions selection field.
4. Click the button to the right of Load Type and enter “Inclined Roof”
in the Name field.
When using Select
Polygon, double click 5. Remove the contents in the Description field.
the last node which
defines the selected
6. Enter “- 0.015” for Floor Load in Load Case 1 from which DL has been
area for nodes or selected.
elements.
7. Select “LR” from Load Case 2. and enter “- 0.02” for Floor Load.
8. Click .
9. Click .
10. Select “Inclined Roof” in Load Type.
11. Confirm “One Way” in the Distribution selection field.

Where a load such as 12. Click Select Polygon in the Icon Menu and select only the upper
snow load is applied chords of the roof trusses shown in figure above.
vertically on a projected
plane of the roof, select 13. Click Activate and Iso View in the Icon Menu.
‘Yes’ in the Projection
field. 14. Enter “3” in No. of Sub Beams of Unmodeled Sub-Beam.
15. Confirm “90” in Sub-Beam Angle (A2).
If Fast Query of the
Status Bar is used, the 16. Enter “0.033” in Unit Self Weight.
attributes of
the snapped nodes or
17. Remove the check () in “Copy Floor Load”.
elements can be easily 18. Click the Nodes Defining Loading Area field once and click nodes
verified.
2, 16, 121, 109, 2 sequentially.
19. Click nodes 16, 4, 117, 121,16 successively.
20. Click Active All in the Icon Menu.
21. Click Node Number in the Icon Menu (Toggle off).

30
 Enter Loading Data

Activate the top chords of the Roof Trusses

Roof load Input

Roof load input

31
Tutorial 2

Define X-Direction Wind Load

Specify the X-direction wind load as a uniformly distributed load.

In practice, the wind load must be applied to wall and roof planes considering the
members’ orientation and the tributary areas. To simplify the problem, assume that
a uniformly distributed load of 0.1 k/f is applied to only the columns and girders on
grid  of the structure.

1. Click Plane in View > Select > Plane from the Main Menu
2. Select “YZ Plane”.
3. Click any point on grid ○
1 plane of the structure (Figure Analysis Model)

to enter “0” automatically in the X Position field.

4. Click .
5. Select “Element Beam Loads” in the functions selection field.
6. Select “WX” in the Load Case Name selection field.
7. Confirm “Add” in the Options selection field.
8. Confirm “Uniform Loads” in the Load Type selection field.
9. Select “Global X” in the Direction selection field.
10. Confirm “No” in the Projection selection field.
11. Enter “0.1” in the w field.
12. Click .
13. Toggle on Hidden.

32
 Enter Loading Data

X-Direction Wind Load Input

33
Tutorial 2

Click the button on the right of the functions selection field to confirm the
loads applied to beam elements in Beam Loads Table.

When confirming the data entries such as load, release, etc. relative to a specific
element, use Element Detail Table for convenience.

1. Click Select Previous in the Icon Menu.

2. Select Query>Element Detail Table in the Main Menu.
3. Click the Bmld tab at the bottom of the Element Detail Table window
and confirm the current load of the selected element.
4. Click as shown in figure below.
5. Click Unselect All in the Icon Menu.

34
 Enter Loading Data

Define Y-Direction Wind Load

Specify the Y-direction wind load simply as concentrated loads.

1. Click Plane in View > Select > Plane from the Main Menu.
2. Select “XZ Plane”.
3. Click any point on plane ○
A of the structure for the Y Position field.

4. Click .
5. Select Nodal Loads in the functions selection field.
6. Select “WY” in the Load Case Name selection field.
7. Confirm “Add” in the Options selection field.
8. Enter “5” in the FY field.
9. Click .

Y-Direction Wind Load Input

35
Tutorial 2

Verify the entered nodal loads.

1. Click Select Previous in the Icon Menu.

2. Select Query>Node Detail Table in the Main Menu.

3. Click the Cnld tab at the bottom of the Node Detail Table window and
confirm the current load of the selected element.
4. Click as shown in figure above.
5. Click Unselect All in the Icon Menu.

Confirm the status of model data input prepared using

Works Tree

MIDAS CIVL NX provides the state-of-the-art modeling capability, Works Tree,

which systematically summaries and maintains the process of input data
construction.

From the record of data entry process contained in Works Tree, previously entered
attributes may be modified, deleted, activated or deactivated. Moreover,
appropriate attributes can be intuitively assigned through Drag & Drop.

1. Select the Works tab as shown in figure above.

2. Select “Type 1[111000]” in Boundaries>Supports and right-click the
mouse.
3. Select “Display” From the context menu of Works Tree.
4. Confirm the entered support condition of the model as shown in figure
below.
5. Select “Floor Loads: 4” in Static Loads>Static Load Case2
[DL:Dead Load].
6. Select “Display” from Context Menu.
7. Confirm the entered floor load as shown in figure below.
8. Click Display within View from the Main Menu and uncheck
Support under the Boundary tab.
9. Click .

36
 Enter Loading Data

Input conditions OK

37
Tutorial 2

Perform Structural Analysis

Click Analysis in the Icon Menu or select Analysis>Perform Analysis in the

Main Menu to analyze the model. Once the analysis is completed, the program
switches automatically to the post-processing mode, which provides access to the
analysis and design results.

Click Preprocessing Mode in the Icon Menu when the preprocessing mode
has to be restored to modify the data.

Verify and Interpret Analysis Results

Load Combinations

Use Results>Load Combinations in the Main Menu to specify the load

combinations prior to verifying the analysis results.

The load combinations, in conformity with the Limit State Design Method, are
auto-generated by Auto Generation. Additional Service Load combinations may
be entered to examine displacements and reactions.

38
 Verify and Interpret Analysis Results

1. Select the Results> Load Combinations in the Main Menu.

2. Select the Steel Design tab.
For details concerning
the data entry, refer to 3. Click .
“Load Combination” of
“Tutorial 1”. 4. Confirm “Add” in the Option selection field.
5. Select “AISC-LRFD 2k in the Design Code field.
6. Click .
7. Click in the Load Combinations dialog box.

During the auto-

generation of load
combinations, the load
combination description
reflects the load case
names assigned by the
user such as wind and
earthquake.

Load Combinations

39
Tutorial 2

Verify Reactions

1. Select Results>Reactions>Reaction Forces/Moments in the Main Menu.

2. Select “CBS: sLCB1” in the Load Cases/Combinations selection field.
3. Select “FZ” in the Components selection field.
4. Check () Values and Legend in the Type of Display selection field.
5. Click .

It will be more

convenient to place the
Result Toolbar in the
post-processing mode.
Refer to Tutorial 1 for
the placing of Result
Toolbar.

Verify Reactions

40
 Verify and Interpret Analysis Results

Displacement Contour

1. Select Deformations in the post-processing functions tab.

2. Select Displacement Contour in the functions selection field.
3. Select “CBS: sLCB8” in the Load Cases/Combinations selection field.
4. Confirm “DXYZ” in the Components selection field.
5. Check () Contour, Value, Deform and Legend in the Type of
Display selection field.
6. Click the button on the right of Contour.
7. Select “18” in the Number of Colors selection field.
8. Check () “Gradient Fill”.
9. Click “Apply upon OK” to remove the check ().
10. Click .
11. Click the button to the right of Deform.
12. Select “Real Deform” in the Deformation selection field and click
.
13. Select “in” in the unit conversion window of Status Bar and click
.
14. Click Render View in View > Render View from the Main Menu.

With the appropriate use of Render View and Perspective in the post-
processing stage, diversified and interesting displays may be viewed on the screen.

41
Tutorial 2

Verify Deformations

Rendering View of the Deformed Shape

42
 Verify and Interpret Analysis Results

1. Click Render View in View > Render View from the Main Menu
(Toggle off)
2. Select Forces in the post-processing functions tab.
3. Select Beam Diagrams in the functions selection field.
4. Confirm “Fx” in the Components selection field.
5. Select “Exact” and “Line Fill” in the Display Options selection field.
6. Check () Contour, Values and Legend in Type of Display.
7. Click the button to the right of Values.
8. Enter “1” in Decimal Points and click .
9. Change the unit from ‘in’ to ‘ft’.
10. Click .

Axial force OK

43
Tutorial 2

If there are many elements as is the case shown in figure below, the verification
of bending moments from the diagram becomes next to impossible. In such a case
use Select Plane to selectively activate only the plane of interest.

1. Click Plane in View > Select > Plane from the Main Menu.
2. Select “XZ Plane”.
3. Click any point on plane ○
A to enter “0” automatically in the Y Position

field.
4. Click in the Plane & Volume Select dialog box.
5. Click Active in the Icon Menu.
6. Click Front View in the Icon Menu.
7. Confirm “My” in the Components selection field.
8. Confirm “Line Fill” in the Display Options selection field.
9. Check () Contour, Values and Legend in Type of Display.
10. Click .
11. Click Active all.

Verify Member Stresses

44
 Verify and Interpret Analysis Results

Verify Member Stresses and Process Animation

1. Click Iso View in the Icon Menu.

2. Click Perspective (Toggle on) in the Icon Menu.
3. Click Active All in the Icon Menu.
4. Select the Stresses in the post-processing functions tab.
5. Select Beam Stresses in the functions selection field.
6. Select “CBS: sLCB8” in the Load Cases/Combinations selection field.
7. Confirm “Combined” in the Components selection field.
8. Check () Contour, Deform and Legend in Type of Display.
9. Select “in” in the unit conversion window.
10. Click .

Verify Beam Stresses

45
Tutorial 2

As explained in Tutorial 1 and Tutorial 2, the structural analysis results may be

verified by Graphic window or by text format using Text Output.

Use Results>Text Output in the Main Menu to execute Text Output. Text Output
is organized such that the user may directly select the Load Set (Load
Combinations for output), the output contents (reaction, displacement, member
force, stress, etc.), the entities to output (type of element, element number, section
number, material property number, story, etc.) and the output format
(maximum/minimum values by sectional properties, etc.).

The output file (fn.ANL) may be printed by the Text Editor in MIDAS CIVL NX,
which enables the user to add appropriate headings and footings as necessary for
documentation.

46