Introductory Tutorial

for

Structural Analysis and Design

ISO SAP022123M2 Rev. 0

Proudly developed in the United States of America March 2023
 COPYRIGHT

Copyright  Computers and Structures, Inc., 1978-2023

All rights reserved.

The CSI Logo® and SAP2000® are registered trademarks of Computers and Structures,
Inc. Watch & LearnTM is a trademark of Computers and Structures, Inc. Windows is a
registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Adobe and Acrobat are registered
trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

The computer program SAP2000® and all associated documentation are proprietary and
copyrighted products. Worldwide rights of ownership rest with Computers and
Structures, Inc. Unlicensed use of this program or reproduction of documentation in any
form, without prior written authorization from Computers and Structures, Inc., is
explicitly prohibited.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any

means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior explicit written
permission of the publisher.

Further information and copies of this documentation may be obtained from:

Computers and Structures, Inc.

www.csiamerica.com

info@csiamerica.com (for general information)

support@csiamerica.com (for technical support)
 DISCLAIMER

CONSIDERABLE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE HAVE GONE INTO THE

DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF THIS SOFTWARE. HOWEVER, THE USER
ACCEPTS AND UNDERSTANDS THAT NO WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR
IMPLIED BY THE DEVELOPERS OR THE DISTRIBUTORS ON THE ACCURACY
OR THE RELIABILITY OF THIS PRODUCT.

THIS PRODUCT IS A PRACTICAL AND POWERFUL TOOL FOR STRUCTURAL

DESIGN. HOWEVER, THE USER MUST EXPLICITLY UNDERSTAND THE BASIC
ASSUMPTIONS OF THE SOFTWARE MODELING, ANALYSIS, AND DESIGN
ALGORITHMS AND COMPENSATE FOR THE ASPECTS THAT ARE NOT
ADDRESSED.

THE INFORMATION PRODUCED BY THE SOFTWARE MUST BE CHECKED BY

A QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED ENGINEER. THE ENGINEER MUST
INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE RESULTS AND TAKE PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION THAT IS USED.
 Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction
Using This Manual 1-1

Overview of the Program 1-1

Overview of the Tutorial 1-2

Chapter 2 An Introductory Tutorial

The Project 2-2

The Interface 2-2

Step 1 Begin a New Model 2-3

Define a Material 2-6
Define Frame Sections 2-8
Define an Auto Select Section List 2-11

Step 2 Add Frame Objects 2-13

Draw Frame Objects 2-13
Assign Member End Releases 2-16
Divide Frame Objects 2-17
Save the Model 2-18

i
SAP2000

Step 3 Add Restraints 2-19

Step 4 Replicate Frame Objects 2-20

Draw Additional Frame Objects 2-21

Step 5 Add Area Objects 2-23

Define the Area Sections 2-23
Draw the Area Object 2-24
Mesh the Area Object 2-26
Replicate Area Objects 2-28
Step 6 Move Objects 2-29

Step 7 Assign Area Stiffness Modifiers 2-33

Step 8 Define Load Patterns 2-35

Step 9 Assign Loads 2-37

Step 10 Define Load Combinations 2-41

Step 11 Run the Analysis 2-43

Step 12 Graphically Review the Analysis

Results 2-46

Step 13 Design the Steel Frame Objects 2-50

ii
 Chapter 1
Introduction

Using this Manual

This manual introduces you to SAP2000 Version 16. The step-by-step instruc-
tions guide you through development of your first model. The intent is to
demonstrate the fundamentals and to show how quickly and easily a model can
be created using the program. Completing the tutorial will give you hands-on
experience working with SAP2000, which for most people is the quickest way
to become familiar with the program.

If you are viewing this manual as a .pdf file, we strongly recommend that you
print it before starting the tutorial. It will not be practical to use the SAP2000
program while trying to read this manual on your computer screen.

Overview of the Program

SAP2000 is a stand-alone finite-element-based structural program for the anal-
ysis and design of civil structures. It offers an intuitive, yet powerful user inter-
face with many tools to aid in the quick and accurate construction of models,
along with the sophisticated analytical techniques needed to do the most com-
plex projects.

Using this Manual 1-1

SAP2000

SAP2000 is object based, meaning that the models are created using members
that represent the physical reality. A beam with multiple members framing into
it is created as a single object, just as it exists in the real world, and the mesh-
ing needed to ensure that connectivity exists with the other members is handled
internally by the program. Results for analysis and design are reported for the
overall object, and not for each sub-element that makes up the object, provid-
ing information that is both easier to interpret and more consistent with the
physical structure.

Overview of the Tutorial

SAP2000 is an extremely versatile and powerful program, with many features
and functions. This tutorial does not attempt to cover all of those capabilities.
Rather, we briefly show how to work with the program, providing some com-
mentary along the way. To more fully grasp the value of SAP2000, use this in-
troductory tutorial in conjunction with the SAP2000 documentation, including
the Verification manual.

We recommend that you perform each step of the tutorial as you read the man-
ual. Therefore, the program should be installed on your computer before you
begin. Prepare to spend at least one hour going through the example. If at any
time you need to stop, save your model so that you may continue at a later
time.

During the course of the tutorial, we will explore many of the basic features of
SAP2000. We hope that you enjoy and find this approach helpful as a starting
point in your use of this powerful and comprehensive version of SAP2000.

Welcome to SAP2000.

1-2 Overview of the Tutorial

 Chapter 2
An Introductory Tutorial

This chapter provides step-by-step instructions for building a basic

SAP2000 model. Each step of the model creation process is identified,
and various model construction techniques are introduced. At the com-
pletion of this chapter, you will have built the model shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1
The Tutorial
Model

2-1
SAP2000

The Project
The tutorial project is a 1-bay by 3-bay industrial building. The open bay
has a dimension of 36 feet, while the three bays in the longitudinal direc-
tion are each 12 feet wide. The concrete roof is supported by trusses in
the transverse direction, which frame into tube columns pinned at the
base.

The trusses are to be constructed of W shapes, while the roof will be a

concrete slab 5 inches thick. The columns are HSS 8x8x3/8 sections. The
building will be analyzed for static loads only, and the trusses will be
loaded at their panel points with a Dead Load = 20 kips, while the roof
will be loaded with a Live Load = 30 pounds per square foot (psf) and a
Wind Load = 15 psf on the windward side and 6 psf on the leeward side.

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. In addition to these menus, many of the most frequently used
commands are accessible as a single click button in the screen regions
surrounding the drawing areas. The availability of a button is indicated in
the main menus by the existence of an icon to the left of the command.
The lower right corner shows the current unit selection. Figure 2 shows
the layout of the interface.

Main Menu Bar

Main Menu Bar

Figure 2
The Interface

Units
Units

2-2 The Project

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

Step 1 Begin a New Model

In this Step, the basic grid that will serve as a template for developing the
model will be defined. Then a material will be defined and sections will
be selected, including a list of W sections for the truss Auto Select Sec-
tion list.

A. Click the File menu > New Model command or the New Model but-
ton . The form shown in Figure 3 will display. Verify that the de-
fault units are set to lb-ft.

Figure 3
New
Model
form

B. The New Model form allows for the quick generation of numerous
model types using parametric generation techniques. However, in
this tutorial the model will be started using only the grid generation.
When laying out the grid, it is important that the geometry defined
accurately represents the major geometrical aspects of the model, so
it is advisable to spend time carefully planning the number and spac-

Step 1 Begin a New Model 2-3

SAP2000

ing of the grid lines. Select the Grid Only button, and the form
shown in Figure 4 will display.

Figure 4
Quick Grid Lines
form

C. The Quick Grid Lines form is used to specify the grids and spacing
in the X, Y, and Z directions. Set the number of grid lines to 2 for the
X direction, to 7 for the Y direction, and to 3 for the Z direction.
Type 432 in (including the in) into the X direction spacing edit box
and press the Enter key on your keyboard. Note that the program au-
tomatically converts the 432 in to 36 to be consistent with the default
units of feet. Enter 6 for the Y direction spacing, and 20 for the Z di-
rection spacing. The values specified in the First Grid Line Location
area locate the origin of the grid lines; make sure that these values
are all set to zero for this tutorial.

2-4 Step 1 Begin a New Model

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

Figure 5
The SAP2000 windows

D. Click the OK button to accept the changes, and the program will appear
as shown in Figure 5. Note that the grids appear in two view windows
tiled vertically, an X-Y Plane View on the left and a 3-D View on the
right. The number of view windows may be changed using the drop-
down arrow located in the top right corner of each window.

The “Plan” view is active in Figure 5. When the window is active, the
display title bar is highlighted. Set a view active by clicking anywhere in
the view window. If you are unable to see the grid bubbles in this view,
click the View menu > Zoom Out One Step command until they be-
come visible.

Note that the Global Axes are displayed as well, and that the Z positive is
in the “up” direction. When SAP2000 refers to the direction of gravity,
this is in the negative Z direction, or “down.”

E. Click the Define menu > Coordinate Systems/Grids command to dis-

play the Coordinate/Grid Systems form. In the Systems area, highlight

Step 1 Begin a New Model 2-5

SAP2000

GLOBAL and then click the Modify/Show System button to display the
Define Grid System Data form shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6
Define
Grid
System
Data
form

F. The Define Grid System Data form is used to modify the grid layout.
Under the Z Grid Data area, type 24 into the Ordinate edit box for
Grid ID Z3 and press the Enter key on your keyboard.

G. Click the OK button twice and a modified grid will now be dis-
played.

Define a Material
Two default material properties are predefined; one for concrete and one
for steel. A third material property will be added for the HSS columns.
Varying levels of sophistication may be used to define the materials, in-
cluding inputting advanced nonlinear stress-strain curve data. For this tu-
torial, an additional material will be added using a predefined property.

2-6 Step 1 Begin a New Model

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

A. Click the Define menu > Materials command to display the Define
Materials form shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7
Define Mate-
rials form

B. Click the Add New Material button to display the Add Material
Property form shown in Figure 8.

C. The Add Material Property form allows for the rapid selection of ma-
terial types from predefined standards. Select Steel from the Material
Type drop-down list.

Figure 8
Add Material Proper-
ty
form

D. Select ASTM A500 from the Standard drop-down list and Grade B,
Fy 46 (HSS Rect.) from the Grade drop-down list; the program has
all of the properties needed for this material type already defined.

Step 1 Begin a New Model 2-7

SAP2000

E. Click the OK buttons to close the Add Material Property and Define
Materials forms.

Define Frame Sections

A frame section will be defined for the HSS columns. Frame sections
must be defined before they can be assigned to frame objects in the mod-
el.

A. Click the Define menu > Section Properties > Frame Sections
command, which will display the Frame Properties form shown in
Figure 9.

Figure 9
Frame
Properties
form

B. Click the Import New Property button, which will display the Im-
port Frame Section Property form shown in Figure 10.

2-8 Step 1 Begin a New Model

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

Figure 10
Import
Frame
Section
Property
form

C. Verify that Steel is showing in the Frame Section Property Type

drop-down list, and then in the Click to Import a Steel Section area
of the Import Frame Section Property form, click the Tube button,
which will open the Section Property File form.

D. Use the Section Property File form to locate the SECTIONS8.PRO

file, which contains the properties of the HSS section to be used in
the model. The SECTIONS8.PRO file likely will be stored with the
program files for SAP2000. Highlight the file name and click the
Open button. The Sections8.pro sections list form shown in Figure
11 displays.

Step 1 Begin a New Model 2-9

SAP2000

Figure 11
Sections8.pro
sections
list

E. Select A500GrB46 from the Material drop-down list – this is the ma-
terial property defined in the previous section. Clicking on the + but-
ton will display the Define Materials form where material properties
may be altered or added.

F. Scroll down the list of tubes in the Select Sections to Import area un-
til you find HSS8X8X3/8. Click once on that member to highlight it.

G. Click the OK button, and then click the OK button in the Box/Tube
Section form to add the tube selected to the list in the Properties area
on the Frame Properties form.

H. Do not close the Frame Properties form - it will be required in the

next segment of the tutorial.

2 - 10 Step 1 Begin a New Model

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

Define an Auto Select Section List

An auto select section list is simply a list of sections. Auto select section
lists are assigned to frame objects in the same manner as an individual
section property. When an auto select section list is assigned to a frame
object, the program can automatically select the most economical, ade-
quate section from the list when designing the member. When perform-
ing the initial analysis, the program will assign the median section from
the list for the analysis properties.

For this particular tutorial, the program will analyze and design the truss-
es from a set of W shapes (W8X10 thru W8X67), which will be chosen
from an auto select sections list created now.

A. With the Frame Properties form displayed, click the Import New
Property button to display the Import Frame Section Property form.

B. Verify that Steel is still showing in the Frame Section Property Type
drop-down list, and then click the I/Wide Flange button, which will
display the Sections8.pro sections list shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12
Sections8.pro
sections
list

Step 1 Begin a New Model 2 - 11

SAP2000

C. Select A992Fy50 from the Material drop-down list – this is the de-
fault steel material property.

D. Scroll down the list of shapes in the Select Sections to Import area
until you find W8X10. Click once on that member to highlight it.

E. Scroll further down the list until you find W8X67. Hold down the
Shift key on your keyboard and click once on W8X67; a collection of
W8s should now be highlighted.

F. Click the OK button, and then click the OK button in the I/Wide
Flange Section form to add the shapes selected to the list in the Prop-
erties area on the Frame Properties form.

G. Click the Add New Property button in the Click to area of the
Frame Properties form and the Add Frame Section Property form
will display.

H. In the Frame Section Property Type drop-down list, select Steel.

I. Click the Auto Select List button to display the Auto Selection Sec-
tions form shown in Figure 13.

Figure 13
Auto
Selection
Sections
form

2 - 12 Step 1 Begin a New Model

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

J. Type TRUSS in the Auto Section Name edit box.

K. Locate the W8X10 shape under the List of Sections, and click once to
highlight it.

L. Continue down the list until you find the last W shape, W8X67, and
while holding down the Shift key on the keyboard, click once on this
section. All of the W shapes should now be highlighted.

M. Click the Add button to move the selected list to the Auto Selections
edit box on the right side of the form.

N. Click the OK button and then click the OK button on the Frame
Properties form to accept your changes and add the TRUSS auto se-
lect list to the Properties list.

Step 2 Add Frame Objects

In this step, frame objects with the associated sections previously defined
are drawn using the grids and snap-to options, and generated using Edit
menu commands.

Draw Frame Objects

Make sure that the X-Y Plane @ Z=40 view is active (see Step 1-D for
directions on how to make a view active). This view should be in the left
window. Also check that the Snap to Points and Grid Intersections
command is active. This will assist in accurately positioning the frame
objects. This command is active when its associated button is de-
pressed. Alternatively, use the Draw menu > Snap to > Points and
Grid Intersections command. By default, this command is active.

A. Click the View menu > Set 2D View command.

1. Click on the Y-Z plane option.

2. Type 0 into the X = edit box to display an elevation view, and

click OK.

Step 2 Add Frame Objects 2 - 13

SAP2000

B. Click the Draw Frame/Cable button or use the Draw menu >
Draw Frame/Cable/Tendon command. If you accessed the Draw
Frame/Cable/Tendon command via the Draw menu, the Draw
Frame/Cable button will depress verifying your command selection.
The Properties of Object pop-up form for frames will appear as
shown in Figure 14.

Figure 14
Properties of
Object form

If the Properties of Object form is covering any part of the model in

either view, click on the blue title bar and drag it out of the way.

C. Click in the Section drop-down list on the Properties of Object form

and scroll down to HSS8X8X3/8. Single click on it to assign this sec-
tion to the members you will draw.

D. To draw the first frame object, left click once in the Y-Z Plane view
at the Y-Z origin (lower left corner of the grid), and then click again
along the vertical grid at the Grid Point that gives L=24.00 (y=0,
z=24). The cursor location is indicated in the lower right-hand corner
of the interface. A frame line should appear in both views (elevation
and 3D). After clicking to define the end point of the frame object,
right click to “lift the pen” so you will no longer be actively drawing,
but will leave the Draw Frame/Cable/Tendon command active so
that you may add additional objects.

If you have made a mistake while drawing this object, click the Set
Select Mode button, to leave the Draw mode and go to the Select
mode. Then click the Edit menu > Undo Frame Add command,
and repeat Items B-D.

2 - 14 Step 2 Add Frame Objects

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

E. Draw another column by clicking on the other side of the grid at Grid
Point (y=36, z=0) to start, and then click again at Grid Point (y=36,
z=24) to draw a vertical member with a L=24.00.

F. Click the right mouse button to "lift" the pen.

G. Return to the Properties of Object form and select TRUSS from the
Section drop-down list. This will assign the auto select list TRUSS to
the next members you will draw.

H. In the Y-Z Plane @ X=0 view, a bottom chord will be drawn. Click
at Grid Point (y=0, z=20) to start, and then click again at Grid Point
(y=36, z=20) to draw a horizontal member with L=36.00. Click the
right mouse button to lift the pen.

Note that the bottom chord was drawn as a single "physical" object,
similar to the way that it would typically be constructed. No regard
was paid to where the other truss members frame into it. In order to
maintain connectivity with the other truss members, i.e., diagonals
and verticals, SAP2000 will automatically mesh this chord object in-
to multiple internal elements when performing the analysis. Howev-
er, when reporting results and doing design, SAP2000 will treat the
chord as a single "physical" member.

I. Next draw a top chord. Click at Grid Point (y=0, z=24) to start, and
then click again at grid Point (y=36, z=24).

J. With the draw mode still active, click on the lower chord one grid
line over at Grid Point (y=30, z=20) to draw the first diagonal mem-
ber. Draw additional verticals and diagonals by clicking at the fol-
lowing Grid Points; (y=30, z=24); (y=24, z=20); (y=24, z=24);
(y=18, z=20); and (y=18, z=24).

K. Click the right mouse button to lift the pen.

L. Draw the next series of diagonals and verticals by clicking at Grid

Point (y=18, z=20) to start, and then clicking at the following Grid
Points: (y=12, z=24); (y=12, z=20); (y=6, z=24); (y=6, z=20); and
(y=0, z=24).

Step 2 Add Frame Objects 2 - 15

SAP2000

M. Click the Set Select Mode button, or press the Esc key on the
keyboard to exit the Draw Frame/Cable/Tendon command.

Assign Member End Releases

Make sure that the program is in the Select mode, and that the Y-Z view
is active.

A. Select the internal diagonal and vertical members spanning between

the longitudinal chords by left clicking directly on the members, or
left clicking to the right of the objects, holding the left mouse button
down, and dragging the mouse across the members. See Figure 15
for selection options.

The status bar in the lower left of the program window should show
11 Frames Selected.

Figure 15
Graphical
Selection
Options

B. Click the Assign menu > Frame > Releases/Partial Fixity com-
mand to access the form shown in Figure 16. Check the Moment 33
(Major) check boxes for both the Start and End Releases.

2 - 16 Step 2 Add Frame Objects

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

By releasing the moments in the major direction, the diagonals and

verticals in the trusses will behave as pinned elements.

C. Click the OK button to accept the changes and return to the Select
mode.

Figure 16
Assign Frame
Releases form

D. Click the Assign menu > Clear Display of Assigns command to

remove the Frame Releases identifiers.

Divide Frame Objects

SAP2000 allows members to be sub-divided into multiple objects after
they are drawn to accommodate changes in geometry (this differs from
the internal meshing done during analysis where the number of objects
remains the same). In this tutorial, the top chord of the truss was drawn
as a single object, but will be divided in two at midspan to allow for the
sloped roof.

Make sure that the program is in the Select mode, and that the Y-Z view
is active.

Step 2 Add Frame Objects 2 - 17

SAP2000

A. Select the top chord of the truss (the horizontal member at elevation
z=24) by left clicking directly on the member.

B. Click the Edit menu > Edit Lines > Divide Frames command to
access the form shown in Figure 17.

Figure 17
Divide
Selected
Frames
form

C. Select the Divide into Specified Number of Frames option in the Di-
vide Selected Straight Frame Objects area.

D. Type 2 into the Number of Frames edit box.

E. Type 1 into the Last/First Length Ratio edit box.

F. Click the OK button to accept the changes and return to the Select
mode.

Save the Model

During development, save the model often. Although typically you will
save it with the same name, on occasion you may want to save it with a
different name to record your work at various stages of development.

A. Click the File menu > Save command, or the Save button, to
save your model. Specify the directory in which you want to save the
model and, for this tutorial, specify the file name Tutorial Building.

2 - 18 Step 2 Add Frame Objects

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

Step 3 Add Restraints

In this step, supports for the columns are defined. Make sure that the Y-Z
Plane @ X=0 view is still active, and that the program is in the
Select mode.

A. Click on the two joints marking the bottom ends of the two columns
(y=0, z=0 and y=36, z=0). The status bar in the lower left corner
should show 2 Points Selected.

B. Click on the Assign menu > Joint > Restraints command to access
the Joint Restraints form shown in Figure 18.

C. Click on the Pinned button to assign restraints in the Translation

1, 2, and 3 directions for these two joints. Click OK to accept the as-
signment.

Figure 18
Joint
Restraints
form

D. Click the File menu > Save command, or the Save button, to
save your model.

Step 3 Add Restraints 2 - 19

SAP2000

Step 4 Replicate Frame Objects

In this step, the planar frame just drawn will be replicated at three addi-
tional locations.

Make sure that the program is in the Select mode.

A. Click the Select > Select > All command, or the Select All but-
ton, to select the entire model. The status bar should show 16 Points
16 Frames Selected.

B. Click the Edit menu > Replicate command to access the form
shown in Figure 19.

C. On the Linear tab, type 12 into the dx edit box.

D. Type 3 into the Number edit box.

E. Click the OK button. Note that three additional frames have been
generated.

Figure 19
Replicate
form

2 - 20 Step 4 Replicate Frame Objects

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

Draw Additional Frame Objects

Make sure that the program is in the Select mode, and that the Y-Z view
is active.

A. Click the View menu > Set 2D View command.

1. In the Set 2D View form click on the X-Z plane option.

2. Type 0 into the Y= edit box to display an elevation view, and

click OK.

B. Click the Draw Frame/Cable button or use the Draw menu >
Draw Frame/Cable/Tendon command to display the Properties of
Object form.

C. Select W8X31 from the Section drop-down list. This will assign this
section to the next members you will draw.

D. In the X-Z Plane @ Y=0 view, click at Grid Point (x=0, z=24) to
start, and then click again at Grid Point (x=36, z=24) to draw a hori-
zontal member with L=36.00. Click the right mouse button to lift the
pen.

E. Click at Grid Point (x=0, z=20) to start and then click at Grid Point
(x=36, z=20) to draw another member parallel to the one just drawn.

F. Click the Set Select Mode button, or press the Esc key on the
keyboard to exit the Draw Frame/Cable/Tendon command.

G. Select the two horizontal members just drawn by left clicking direct-
ly on the objects.

H. Click on the Assign menu > Frame > Automatic Frame Mesh
command to access the form in Figure 20. Select the Auto Mesh
Frame option and check the at Intermediate Joints and at Intersec-
tion with Other Frames check boxes, and click OK.

This meshing is done to ensure connectivity between the beams and

the columns because the beams were drawn as single “physical” ob-
jects. In reality, it is unlikely that a single beam would be used, and
therefore better practice would be to divide these beams into multiple

Step 4 Replicate Frame Objects 2 - 21

SAP2000

objects spanning between the columns. But since dividing a frame

was illustrated earlier in the tutorial, it was decided that these mem-
bers would be meshed to demonstrate this feature. With that said,
note that this meshing step was not absolutely necessary as the de-
fault was set to at Intermediate Joints.

Figure 20
Assign
Automatic
Frame Mesh
form

I. Click the Assign menu > Clear Display of Assigns command.

J. Click the Get Previous Selection button or use the Select menu
> Get Previous Selection command to again select the two horizon-
tal beam objects.

K. Click the Edit menu > Replicate command to access the Replicate
form.

1. Type 0 into the dx edit box, 36 into the dy box, and 0 into the dz
box.

2. Type 1 into the Number edit box.

3. Click OK to accept the changes.

The framing will be replicated at the other side of the building.

2 - 22 Step 4 Replicate Frame Objects

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

L. Click the File menu > Save command, or the Save button, to
save your model.

Step 5 Add Area Objects

In this step, a concrete roof is added to the model.

Define the Area Sections

Make sure that the X-Z view is active. Now switch to a “plan” view, and
define the properties for the concrete deck.

A. Click the View menu > Set 2D View command. In the Set 2D View
form, click the X-Y plane option, type 24 into the Z = edit box and
click the OK button.

B. Click the Define menu > Section Properties > Area Sections
command. The Area Sections form will display.

C. Make sure that the Select Sec-

tion Type to Add item is set to
Shell. Click the Add New
Section button in the Click to
area of the form. The Shell
Section Data form shown in
Figure 21 displays.

Figure 21
Shell Section Da-
ta
form

Step 5 Add Area Objects 2 - 23

SAP2000

1. Type ROOF into the Section Name edit box.

2. Select the Shell-Thin option in the Type area.

3. Verify that the Material Name is set to 4000Psi in the Material

area. Clicking on the + button will display the Define Materials
form where material properties may be altered or added.

4. Set the Thickness (both Membrane and Bending) to 0.4167 (or 5

in) to indicate that the concrete roof is 5 inches thick. By defini-
tion, a Shell object has both Membrane and Bending behavior.

5. Click the OK button and then click the OK button in the Area
Sections form to complete the roof definition.

Draw the Area Object

Make sure that the X-Y Plane @ Z=24 view is active. Now draw an area
object to represent a roof panel using the following Action Items.

A. Click the Draw Poly Area button , or go to the Draw menu >
Draw Poly Area command. The Properties of Object pop-up form
for areas will display as shown in Figure 22.

Make sure that the Section item in this box is set to ROOF. If it is
not, click once in the drop-down list opposite the Section item to ac-
tivate the drop-down list and select ROOF from the list.

Figure 22
Properties of
Object box

B. Check that the Snap to Points and Grid Intersections command is

active. This will assist in accurately drawing the area object.

C. Click once at point (x=0,y=0). Then moving counter-clockwise

around the model, click once at these object points in this order to

2 - 24 Step 5 Add Area Objects

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

draw the outline of the roof: (x=12,y=0), (x=12,y=18) and

(x=0,y=18).

D. Press the Enter key on your keyboard to stop drawing.

E. Click on the Set Select Mode button, or Press the Esc key on the
keyboard to exit the Draw Poly Area command.

F. To better view the deck addition, click the Set Display Options
button, or go to the View menu > Set Display Options command.
When the form appears, check the Fill Objects check box and the
Apply to All Window check box, as shown in Figure 23.

Figure 23
Display Options for Active Window form

G. Click OK to accept the changes.

H. Click anywhere in the 3-D View (right window) to make it active.

I. In order to make it easier to differentiate between the frame members

and the grid, click on the View menu > Show Grid command to
toggle off the grid in the 3-D View. The model should now appear as
shown in Figure 24.

Step 5 Add Area Objects 2 - 25

SAP2000

Figure 24
Model after an area object has been drawn

Mesh the Area Object

The area object will now be meshed similar to the previous meshing of
frame objects.

A. Click anywhere in the X-Y Plane @ Z=24 view to make it active.

B. Right click anywhere on the area object to display the Object Model
– Area Information form shown in Figure 25.

C. Click on the Assignments tab on the Object Model – Area Infor-

mation form.

D. Double click in the edit box opposite the Automatic Area Mesh item
to display the Assign Automatic Area Mesh form shown in Figure
26.

E. Select the Mesh Area Based On Points On Area Edges option.

2 - 26 Step 5 Add Area Objects

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

F. Check the Intersections of Straight Line Objects In Meshing Group

With Area Edges and the Point Objects In Meshing Group That Are
on Area Edges check boxes.

The area object representing the roof panel was drawn as a single ob-
ject, but needs to be meshed into multiple analysis elements so that
there will be connectivity between the roof and the intermediate
points along the chord elements. Meshing, unlike dividing, does not
create new objects. If the Edit menu > Edit Areas > Divide Areas
command were to be used, new objects would be created.

Figure 25
Object Model –
Area Information form

G. Click the OK button and then the OK button on the Object Model – Area Infor-
mation form to complete the area object meshing.

Step 5 Add Area Objects 2 - 27

SAP2000

Figure 26
Assign Automatic Area Mesh form

Replicate Area Objects

Make sure that the X-Y Plane @ Z=24 view is active.

A. Click the Select > Select > Properties > Area Sections command to
display the Select Sections form shown in Figure 27.

Figure 27
Select
Sections
form

2 - 28 Step 5 Add Area Objects

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

B. Click ROOF in the Select area to highlight it.

C. Click on the OK button to select the area object.

D. Click the Edit menu > Replicate command to access the Replicate
form.

E. On the Linear tab, type 12 into the dx edit box, 0 into the dy edit box,
and 0 into the dz edit box.

F. Type 2 into the Number edit box.

G. Click the OK button. Note that two additional roof panels have been
drawn.

H. Click the Select > Select > Properties > Area Sections command to
display the Select Sections form.

I. Select ROOF and click the OK button. The status bar should show 3
Areas, 12 Edges Selected.

J. Click the Edit menu > Replicate command to access the Replicate
form.

K. On the Linear tab, type 0 into the dx edit box, 18 into the dy edit box,
and 0 into the dz edit box.

L. Type 1 into the Number edit box.

M. Click the OK button. Note that roof panels have been drawn on the
other side of the building.

Step 6 Move Objects

In this step, objects are moved to create the roof slope. Make sure that
the X-Y Plane @ Z=24 view is still active, and that the program is in the
Select mode.

A. Click on the Select > Select > Coordinate Specification > Speci-
fied Coordinate Range command to display the Select By Specified
Coordinate Range form shown in Figure 28.

Step 6 Move Objects 2 - 29

SAP2000

B. Select the Not Limited option in the X Coordinate Limits area.

C. Select the At A Single Value option in the Y Coordinate Limits area

and select = from the Operator drop-down list, and type 18 into the
Value edit box, and 1 into the Tolerance edit box.

D. Select the At A Single Value option in the Z Coordinate Limits area

and select = from the Operator drop-down list, and type 24 into the
Value edit box, and 1 into the Tolerance edit box.

Figure 28
Select By
Specified
Coordinate
Range form

E. Click on the OK button to accept the changes. The status bar should
show 4 Points Selected.

F. Click the Edit menu > Move command to display the Move form
shown in Figure 29.

2 - 30 Step 6 Move Objects

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

Figure 29
Move
form

G. Type 3 into the Delta Z edit box in the Change Coordinates by: area.

H. Click the OK button. Note that the ridge line of the roof has moved
up.

I. Click on the Select menu > Select > Coordinate Specification >
Specified Coordinate Range command to display the Select By
Specified Coordinate Range form.

J. Select the Not Limited option in the X Coordinate Limits area.

K. Select the Between Two Values option in the Y Coordinate Limits ar-
ea and select >= from the first Operator drop-down list, and type 12
into the first Value edit box. Select <= from the second Operator
drop-down list, and type 24 into the second Value edit box.

L. Select the At A Single Value option in the Z Coordinate Limits area

and select = from the Operator drop-down list, and type 24 into the
Value edit box, and 1 into the Tolerance edit box.

M. Click on the OK button to accept the changes. The status bar should
show 8 Points Selected.

N. Click the Edit menu > Move command to display the Move form.

O. Type 2 into the Delta Z edit box in the Change Coordinates by: ar-
ea.

Step 6 Move Objects 2 - 31

SAP2000

P. Click the OK button. Note that additional truss members have

aligned with the roof.

Q. Click on the Select menu > Select > Coordinate Specification >
Specified Coordinate Range command to display the Select By
Specified Coordinate Range form.

R. Select the Not Limited option in the X Coordinate Limits area.

S. Select the Between Two Values option in the Y Coordinate Limits

area and select >= from the first Operator drop-down list, and type
6 into the first Value edit box. Select <= from the second Operator
drop-down list, and type 30 into the second Value edit box.

T. Select the At A Single Value option in the Z Coordinate Limits area

and select = from the Operator drop-down list, and type 24 into the
Value edit box, and 1 into the Tolerance edit box

U. Click on the OK button to accept the changes. The status bar

should show 8 Points Selected.

V. Click the Edit menu > Move command to display the Move form.

W. Type 1 into the Delta Z edit box in the Change Coordinates by: ar-
ea.

X. Click the OK button. Note that additional truss members have

aligned with the roof.

Y. Click the View menu > Set 2D View command. In the Set 2D
View form, click the Y-Z plane option, type 0 into the X = edit box
and click the OK button. The model should now appear as shown
in Figure 30.

2 - 32 Step 6 Move Objects

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

Figure 30
Model after object move

Step 7 Assign Area Stiffness Modifiers

In this step, the membrane properties of the area objects are modified to
prohibit the roof panels from acting as flanges for the top chords of the
trusses.

A. Click anywhere in the 3-D View to make it active

B. Click Select menu > Select > Properties > Material Properties to
display the Select Properties form shown in Figure 31.

C. Click 4000Psi in the Select area to highlight it.

D. Click on the OK button to select all of the concrete area objects.

Step 7 Assign Area Stiffness Modifiers 2 - 33

SAP2000

Figure 31
Select
Sections
form

E. Click the Assign menu > Area > Area Stiffness Modifiers com-
mand to access the Property/Stiffness Modification Factors form
shown in Figure 32.

1. Type 0 in the Membrane f22 Modifier edit box.

This action will prohibit the roof area objects from carrying in-
plane axial loads.

2. Click OK to accept the assignment.

Figure 32
Property/Stiffness
Modification
Factors form

2 - 34 Step 7 Assign Area Stiffness Modifiers

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

F. Click the Assign menu > Clear Display of Assigns command to

clear the display of the stiffness modifiers.

G. Click the File menu > Save command, or the Save button, to
save your model.

Step 8 Define Load Patterns

The loads used in this tutorial consist of dead, live and wind static load
patterns. The dead and live loads act in the gravity direction, while the
wind load will be applied as a surface pressure to the roof objects.

For this example, assume that the dead load pattern consists of the self-
weight of the building plus an additional 20 kips at each lower chord
panel point of each truss. The live load pattern is taken to be 30 pounds
per square foot (psf) applied to the projected area of the concrete roof.
The wind load pattern is taken to be 15 psf applied to the windward roof,
and 6 psf applied to the leeward side of the roof.

A. Click the Define menu > Load Patterns command to access the
Define Load Patterns form shown in Figure 33. Note there is only a
single default load pattern defined, which is a dead load pattern with
self-weight (DEAD).

Figure 33
Define Load Patterns form

Step 8 Define Load Patterns 2 - 35

SAP2000

Note that the self-weight multiplier is set to 1 for the default pattern.
This indicates that this load pattern will automatically include 1.0
times the self-weight of all members.

In SAP2000, both Load Patterns and Load Cases exist, and they may
be different. However, the program automatically creates a corre-
sponding load case when a load pattern is defined, and the load cases
are available for review at the time the analysis is run.

B. Click in the edit box for the Load Pattern Name column. Type the
name of the new pattern, LIVE. Select a Type of load pattern from
the drop-down list; in this case, select LIVE. Make sure that the Self
Weight Multiplier is set to zero. Click the Add New Load Pattern
button to add the LIVE load pattern to the load list.

C. Click in the edit box for the Load Pattern Name column once again.
Type the name of the last new pattern, WIND. Select WIND from
the Type drop-down list. Make sure that the Self Weight Multiplier
is set to zero, and that None is showing in the Auto Lateral Load Pat-
tern drop-down list. Click the Add New Load Pattern button to add
the WIND load pattern to the load list.

The Define Load Patterns form should now appear as shown in Fig-
ure 34. Click the OK button in that form to accept the newly defined
load patterns.

Figure 34
The Define Load Patterns form after all of the load patterns have been defined

2 - 36 Step 8 Define Load Patterns

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

Step 9 Assign Loads

In this step, the dead, live and wind loads will be applied to the model.
Make the Y-Z Plane @ X=0 view active, and check to make sure that
the program is in the Select mode.

A. Click on each of the panel points on the bottom chord of the truss.
The status bar should show 5 Points Selected. If you make a mistake
in selecting, click the Clear Selection button, and try again.

B. Select the Assign menu > Joint Loads > Forces command to access
the Joint Forces form. Select DEAD from the Load Pattern Name
drop-down list as shown in Figure 35. Clicking on the + button will
display the Define Load Patterns form where load patterns may be
altered or added.

1. Type -20000 in the Force Global Z edit box in the Loads area.
The minus sign indicates that the load is applied in the negative
Global Z direction.

Figure 35
Joint Forces
form

2. Click the OK button to accept the dead load.

C. Click the Get Previous Selection button or use the Select menu
> Get Previous Selection command to again select the bottom chord
panel points.

Step 9 Assign Loads 2 - 37

SAP2000

D. Click the Edit menu > Replicate command to display the Replicate
form.

1. On the Linear tab, type 12 into the dx edit box, 0 into the dy edit
box, and 0 into the dz edit box.

2. Type 3 into the Number edit box.

3. Click the OK button to accept the changes

E. Click the Select menu > Select > Properties > Area Sections com-
mand to display the Select Sections form.

1. Click on ROOF in the Select area to highlight it.

2. Click the OK button to select all of the roof area objects.

F. Select the Assign menu > Area Loads > Uniform (Shell) command
to access the Area Uniform Loads form. Select LIVE from the Load
Pattern Name drop-down list as shown in Figure 36.

Figure 36
Area Uniform
Loads form

1. Type 30 in the Load edit box in the Uniform Load area.

2. Select Gravity Projected from the Direction drop-down list.

Remember that the Gravity direction is in the negative Global Z
direction.

3. Click the OK button to accept the live load.

2 - 38 Step 9 Assign Loads

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

G. Click on the Select menu > Select > Coordinate Specification >
Specified Coordinate Range command to display the Select By
Specified Coordinate Range form.

1. Verify that the Entirely Inside The Specified Selection Volume

option is selected in the Select All Objects That Are: area.

2. Uncheck all of the check boxes except for Area in the Select
These Object Types area.

3. Select the Not Limited option in the X Coordinate Limits area.

4. Select the Between Two Values option in the Y Coordinate Lim-

its area and select >= from the first Operator drop-down list, and
type 0 into the first Value edit box. Select <= from the second
Operator drop-down list, and type 18 into the second Value edit
box.

5. Select the Not Limited option in the Z Coordinate Limits area.

6. Click the OK button to select the roof area objects on the wind-
ward side. The status bar should show 3 Areas, 12 Edges Select-
ed.

H. Click the Assign menu > Area Loads > Surface Pressure (All)
command to display the Area Surface Pressure Load form shown in
Figure 37.

Figure 37
Area Surface
Pressure Load
form

Step 9 Assign Loads 2 - 39

SAP2000

1. Select WIND from the Load Pattern Name drop-down list.

2. Select the By Element option in the Pressure area.

3. Type 15 in the Pressure edit box.

4. Select Top from the Face drop-down list.

5. Click the OK button to apply a wind pressure load inward to the

top face of the windward roof area objects.

I. Click on the Select menu > Select > Coordinate Specification >
Specified Coordinate Range command to display the Select By
Specified Coordinate Range form.

1. Verify that the Entirely Inside The Specified Selection Volume

option is selected in the Select All Objects That Are: area.

2. Verify that only the check box for Area in the Select These Ob-
ject Types area is checked.

3. Select the Not Limited option in the X Coordinate Limits area.

4. Select the Between Two Values option in the Y Coordinate Lim-

its area and select >= from the first Operator drop-down list, and
type 18 into the first Value edit box. Select <= from the second
Operator drop-down list, and type 36 into the second Value edit
box.

5. Select the Not Limited option in the Z Coordinate Limits area.

6. Click the OK button to select the roof area objects on the lee-
ward side. The status bar should show 3 Areas, 12 Edges Select-
ed.

J. Click the Assign menu > Area Loads > Surface Pressure (All)
command to display the Area Surface Pressure Load form.

1. Select WIND from the Load Pattern Name drop-down list.

2. Select the By Element option in the Pressure area.

2 - 40 Step 9 Assign Loads

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

3. Type -6 in the Pressure edit box.

4. Select Top from the Face drop-down list.

5. Click the OK button to apply a wind pressure load outward to

the top face of the leeward roof area objects.

K. Click the Assign menu > Clear Display of Assigns command to

clear the display of the assigned loads.

L. Click the File menu > Save command, or the Save button, to
save your model.

Step 10 Define Load Combinations

In this step, the steel design code will be selected and the load combina-
tions required for design will be automatically generated.

A. Click the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > View/Revise
Preferences command to display the Steel Frame Design Prefer-
ences form shown in Figure 38.

Figure 38
Steel Frame
Design Preferences
form

Step 10 Define Load Combinations 2 - 41

SAP2000

B. Select AISC360-05/IBC2006 from the Design Code drop-down list.

C. Click the OK button to accept the design code changes.

D. Select the Define menu > Load Combinations command to display

the Define Load Combinations form.

E. Click the Add Default Design Combos... button to display the Add
Code-Generated User Load Combinations form shown in Figure 39.

Figure 39
Add Code-Generated
User Load
Combinations form

F. Select the Steel Frame Design option under the Select Design Type
for Load Combinations area.

G. Click the Set Load Combination Data button to display the Code-
Generated User Load Combinations for Steel Frame Design form
shown in Figure 40.

H. Uncheck the Deflection checkbox in the Limit States for which User
Defined Load Combinations are to be Generated area - this tutorial is
concerned only with strength limit states.

I. Click the OK button twice to return to the Define Load Combina-

tions form. Note that a total of eight load combinations have been
generated.

1. Click on UDSTL3 in the Load Combinations area to highlight it.

2 - 42 Step 10 Define Load Combinations

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

2. Click the Modify/Show Combo button to display the Load

Combination Data form. Note that this particular combination
consists of 1.2 DEAD + 1.0 LIVE + 1.6 WIND.

3. Click the OK button to return to the Define Load Combinations

form.

J. Repeat Step I for other load combinations if so desired, or click the

OK button to leave the Define Load Combinations form.

Figure 40
Code-Generated
User Load
Combinations
for Steel Frame
Design form

Step 11 Run the Analysis

In this step, the analysis model will be viewed and the analysis will be
run.

A. Click anywhere in the 3-D View to make it active.

B. Click the Set Display Options button. When the form appears,
check the Show Analysis Model check box as shown in Figure 41.

Step 11 Run the Analysis 2 - 43

SAP2000

Figure 41
Display Options for Active Window form

C. Click the OK button to accept the display setting.

D. If the model has not previously been analyzed, a message similar to

the one in Figure 42 displays.

Figure 42
Analysis Model message

E. Click the Yes button to display the analysis model. Take a moment
to verify that the element formation is as expected.

F. Click the Analyze menu > Run Analysis command or the Run
Analysis button, to access the Set Load Cases to Run form as
shown in Figure 43.

2 - 44 Step 11 Run the Analysis

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

Figure 43
Set Load
Cases to Run
form

Note that the program has automatically defined four different load
cases: DEAD, MODAL, LIVE and WIND based on the load patterns
defined previously, as well as the assumption that the program may
need modal properties for some analysis options, even though no dy-
namic functions have been defined.

1. Select MODAL from the Case Name list.

2. Click the Run/Do Not Run Case button to set the action for
MODAL to Do Not Run, as we intend to run only a static analy-
sis.

3. Click the Run Now button.

The program will create the analysis model from your object-based
SAP2000 model and an analysis monitor window may display, de-
pending on the duration of analysis. Analysis information may be ac-
cessed at a later time by going to the File menu > Show Input/Log
Files command and selecting the file with the .LOG extension.

G. When the analysis is finished, the program automatically displays a

deformed shape view of the model, and the model is locked. The
model is locked when the Lock/Unlock Model button appears
depressed. Locking the model prevents any changes to the model that
would invalidate the analysis results.

Step 11 Run the Analysis 2 - 45

SAP2000

Step 12 Graphically Review the Analysis Results

In this step, the analysis results will be reviewed using graphical repre-
sentation of the results.

A. With the left view active, click the Set YZ View button, , in or-
der to set the left window to a Y-Z Plane @ X=0 view.

B. Click the Show Forces/Stresses > Frames/Cables/Tendons button,

, or the Display menu > Show Forces/Stresses >
Frames/Cables/Tendons command to bring up the Member
Force/Stress Diagram for Frames form shown in Figure 44.

1. Select DEAD from the Case/Combo Name drop-down list.

2. Select the Force and Axial Force options.

3. Select the Auto option under the Scaling area.

Figure 44
Member Force/Stress
Diagram for
Frames form

4. Select the Fill Diagram option.

2 - 46 Step 12 Graphically Review the Analysis Results

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

5. Click the OK button to generate the axial force diagram shown

in Figure 45.

Figure 45
Axial force diagram in
an elevation view

C. Right click on the bottom chord member in the Y-Z view to access
the Diagram for Frame Object form shown in Figure 46.

Figure 46
Force details
obtained by
right-clicking
bottom chord of
truss in the
elevation view in
Figure 45

Step 12 Graphically Review the Analysis Results 2 - 47

SAP2000

Note that the program displays the force diagrams for the entire bot-
tom chord object just as it was drawn, even though the program has
automatically meshed the frame object into smaller elements for
analysis.

1. Click the Scroll for Values option in the Display Options area,
and move the mouse over the diagrams with the left button held
down to obtain values at any location.

2. Click the Done button to close the form.

D. Make sure that the Y-Z View is active, and then click the Display
menu > Show Deformed Shape command or the Show Deformed
Shape button to access the Deformed Shape form shown in Fig-
ure 47.

1. Select LIVE from the

Case/Combo Name
drop-down list.

2. Check the Cubic

Curve check box.

3. Click the OK button

to generate the de-
formed shape shown
in Figure 48.

Figure 47
Deformed Shape form

2 - 48 Step 12 Graphically Review the Analysis Results

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

Figure 48
Deformed Shape in an elevation view

E. Right click on the middle joint on the top chord object in Figure 48
to display the Joint Displacements results form shown in Figure 49.

Figure 49
Joint Displacements
obtained by right-clicking
a joint shown in the
elevation view in
Figure 48

Note that local object axis 3 is in the positive global Z direction.

F. Close the Joint Displacements form by clicking the X in the upper

right-hand corner of the form, or by clicking anywhere other than on
the form.

Step 12 Graphically Review the Analysis Results 2 - 49

SAP2000

Step 13 Design the Steel Frame Objects

In this step, the steel frame members of the trusses will be designed.
Note that the analysis should be run before completing the following
Action Items.

A. Click the Design menu > Steel Frame Design >View/Revise Pref-
erences command. The Steel Frame Design Preferences form shown
in Figure 50 displays.

Figure 50
Steel Frame Design Preferences form

1. Remember that back in Step 10 the Design Code was set to

AISC360-05/IBC2006. Click in the Design Code drop-down list
to see the many other available design codes. Return to the
AISC360-05/IBC2006 code. The user is encouraged to examine

2 - 50 Step 13 Design the Steel Frame Objects

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

the design code options available using the Design menu > Steel
Frame Design > View/Revise Preferences command.

2. Review the information contained in the other items and then

click OK to accept the selections.

B. Click the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Start Design/
Check of Structure command or the Start Steel Design/Check of
Structure button, to start the steel frame design process. The
program designs the steel members, selecting the optimum member
size from the TRUSS auto select section list for the truss members,
and checking the columns and other framing members that are not
part of the truss.

When the design is complete, the selected sizes and stress ratios are
displayed on the model. The model appears as shown in Figure 51.

Figure 51
Model after the steel frame design

Step 13 Design the Steel Frame Objects 2 - 51

SAP2000

C. Click the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Verify Analysis vs
Design Section command. A message similar to the one in Figure 52
appears. Click the No button to close the form.

Figure 52
Analysis vs
Design Section

In the initial analysis (Step 11), the program used the median section
by weight from the TRUSS auto select section list for the truss
members. During design (this step), the program selected different
sections by optimizing from the auto select list of members con-
tained in TRUSS. The number of iteration cycles is only one. Be-
cause new member sizes are now present in the model, the original
analysis results are no longer valid and the analysis should be rerun.

The goal is to repeat the analysis and design process until the analy-
sis and design sections for the truss are all the same. Note that when
the building is reanalyzed, SAP2000 will use the current design sec-
tions (i.e., those selected in Step 13) as new analysis sections for the
next analysis run.

D. Right click on one of the truss bottom chord members in the Y-Z
view (shown in Figure 51). The Steel Stress Check Information form
shown in Figure 53 displays. Note that the reported analysis and de-
sign sections are different.

The main body of the form lists the design stress ratios obtained at
various stations along the frame object for each design load combi-
nation. Note that the program has automatically created code-specific
design load combinations in addition to the user specified combina-
tions previously defined in Step 10. In this instance, the two sets of
combinations are identical as they were both generated from the
same code specification.

2 - 52 Step 13 Design the Steel Frame Objects

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

Figure 53
Steel Stress Check Information form

Also note that the program designed the chord as a single physical
member, just as it was drawn as a single object, even though the pro-
gram has automatically subdivided the frame object into smaller el-
ements for analysis.

Click the Details button on the Steel Stress Check Information form.
The Steel Stress Check Data AISC360-05/IBC2006 form shown in
Figure 54 displays. Use the File menu on the form to print the data.

Click the X in the upper right-hand corner of the Steel Stress Check
Data AISC360-05/IBC2006 form to close it. Click the Cancel button
to close the Steel Stress Check Information form.

E. To rerun the analysis with the new analysis sections, click the Ana-
lyze menu > Run Analysis command or the Run Analysis but-
ton, and then click the Run Now button on the Set Load Cases to
Run form.

Step 13 Design the Steel Frame Objects 2 - 53

SAP2000

Figure 54
Steel Stress Check
Dataform

F. When the analysis is complete, click the Design menu > Steel
Frame Design > Start Design/Check of Structure command or the
Start Steel Design/Check of Structure button, to start the steel
frame design process.

G. When the design is complete, click the Design menu > Steel Frame
Design > Verify Analysis vs Design Section command. A message
similar to the one in Figure 55 displays.

Figure 55
Analysis vs Design
Section message

The message in Figure 55 indicates the number of analysis sections

that differ from the design sections. Click the No button if sections
do not match, or the OK button if they do match, to close the form.

2 - 54 Step 13 Design the Steel Frame Objects

 Chapter 2 - An Introductory Tutorial

Repeat Action Items E through G until the message received indi-

cates that all analysis and design sections match. This may take nu-
merous iterations depending on the complexity of the model.

H. When the analysis and design sections are the same, click the Design
menu > Steel Frame Design > Verify All Members Passed com-
mand. A form similar to that shown in Figure 56 should appear indi-
cating that all members passed.

Figure 56
Stress/capacity
check message

Note that members not passing at this stage is an indication of inade-

quate sections, either in the auto select section list or in the other sec-
tion assignments. With the auto select section list, the program
would have used the largest section in the list for both the analysis
and design, so a message stating that members do not pass indicates
that the auto select section list needs modification. In that case, add
larger sections to the auto select sections list. For other members that
do not pass, re-assign larger sections and continue the analysis and
design iteration.

I. Click the OK button to close the form.

J. Click the File menu > Save command, or the Save button, to
save your model.

This introductory tutorial is now complete.

Step 13 Design the Steel Frame Objects 2 - 55