COLLEGE OF

ENGINEERING
Department of Civil & Geological Engineering

CE 463.3 – Advanced Structural Analysis

Lab 2 – SAP2000 Truss Structures

January 23rd, 2013

T.A: Ouafi Saha Professor: M. Boulfiza

0. Reminder of Basic Steps to Solve a Structural Problem using SAP2000

0. Access to software http://www.engr.usask.ca/engr-apps/
1. Start-up by choosing units, setting up grids or by choosing a model from the library
2. Define materials, element properties, loading patterns, analysis cases and combinations
3. Draw the model using the powerful graphical interface and selection and editing tools
4. Assign displacement boundary conditions (supports)
5. Assign loads (forces, moments, displacements, pressure, temperature…)
6. SOLVE system, use simplification if possible
7. Display Output in graphical and/or tabular form
8. Analyze results

1. Simple Truss Structure http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHS17C5Ntf8

E = 200 000 MPa

2
A = 10 cm
Neglect self-weight

What is the vertical

2m

displacement at P?

P = 15 kN

2m 3m

New features: Edit Coordinate Systems/Grids

The same steps:

• Units (kN, m, C)
Grids X (0,2,5), Y(0), Z (0, 2)
Choose XZ view
• Define Materials: we need only E=200 GPa,
Element properties: we need only A = 10 cm2
1
Many ways to do the analysis of Truss structures. The easiest way is to put all other geometric
properties = 0 except the Cross Sectional (axial) Area.

Only Cross section

different from 0

• Draw the model

• Assign Supports
• Assign one concentrated load at point P

To avoid having warnings in the solver module, keep only UX and UZ DOF in the Analysis Options

Keep only UX and

UZ. No rotation

• SOLVE
• Display Output Displacement and forces
• Analyze results

Deformed shape

We can have the displacement of any node (joint) by right clicking on it.

2
The vertical displacement of point P is then U3 = -5.784 10-4 m

Internal forces

In this case, only the Axial Forces are present

2. Elaborated Truss structure http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqqJnpFxDIM

30kN
Units kN, m, C
25kN 25kN Mat. Steel
Self-Weight = 0
25kN 25kN
4m

3m 3m 3m 3m 3m 3m

The Top and Bottom chord section is double angle 2L5x5x7/16

The Braces section is rectangular 7x25 mm2

New features: Import sections, Edit Divide, Releases

- Run three analyses, perfect welding in all joints, hinges in all joints, only braces are hinged.
- Compare the three cases
- What is the maximum deflexion in each case?
- What are the maximum internal forces in these cases?

Follow the same eight steps.

Use the following grid specification: X (-9, 0, 9), Y (0), Z (0, 4).
The new features are explained below.

3
 • Import section
To use a section profile from the SAP2000 database, go to
Define > Section Properties > Frame Sections … then click on Import New Property …

Select the type of the section profile “Double Angle” and the path for the section database should
be
C:\Program Files (x86)\Computers and Structures\SAP2000 15
Then select “SECTIONS8.PRO” file.

Path:
C:\Program Files
(x86)\Computers
and Structures\
SAP2000 15

SECTIONS8.PRO
Local Disk C: common Profile DB

Finally, select the appropriate section from the list; “2L5x5x7/16” in this case.

• Edit divide option

Select the four elements, two lower chords and two upper chords, and divide them into 3 segments
each.

Edit > Edit Lines > Divide Frames …

4
 • Releasing the hinged elements

Select elements, Assign > Frame > Releases/Partial Fixity …

3. Additional Examples

4m 4m

Units kN, m, C
Self-Weight = 0
2m E = 200 GPa
2
A = 1500 mm
50.00

2m

Find internal forces and the deflection at the applied load point.

Another detailed Truss example

http://www.ce.memphis.edu/7111/projects/SAP_2000/SAP_2000_trusses.html