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Modeling Process
This topic lays out a general process for creating a model using SAP. The intent is to demonstrate the
interaction of the various commands available in SAP.
1. Start a model by clicking the File menu > New Model command to access the New Model form. Choose to start the model from defaults
(Initialize Model from Defaults with Units option) or from a previously defined model (Initialize Model From Previous File option). Set the
current units to those to be used most often in the model.

In general, we recommend using one of the SAP2000 templates to start a model whenever
possible. The New Model form has a variety of template buttons that display common types
of structures. Click the appropriate template button. After clicking any of the buttons except
the Blank button or the Grid Only button, use the resulting form to specify the initial
geometry for the model.

n The Blank button will display a blank screen into which the initial geometry can be
imported from a variety of formats (AutoCad, CIS/2 Step, FrameWorks Plus, IFC,
IGES, NASTRAN, ProSteel, SASSI, STRUDL/STAAD, Access Database, Excel
Spreadsheet, SAP2000 V6 or V7 s2k, SAP2000 V8 s2k, SAP90 text input or tabular
database).

n The Grid Only button will display the New Coord/Grid System form. Use that form to
specify the grid system and then use an Import command, or commands on the Draw
and Edit menus to add the frame, cables, tendons, areas, and solids to define the model
geometry. Note that valuable general information about coordinates systems in
SAP2000 is available in the Define Coordinate Systems Grid topic.
2. With one of the templates displayed, click the + (plus) symbol beside the drop-down list(s) in the Section area to access forms to specify the
frame sections or area sections used in the building model. Clicking the + (plus) symbol beside the Material drop-down lists on those forms
will display forms for specifying the material properties, including a "quick material definition" feature that quickly applies standard material
definitions.

If the Grid Only button is used, use the commands on the Define menu to define the frame or area sections and material properties needed for
the model.

3. Use the Options menu > Preferences commands to specify the design code or modify any of the default preferences, which are generally
consistent with the selected design code.

4. If appropriate, use the Define menu commands to define cable sections, tendon sections, or solid properties to specify parameters for those
objects in building the model.

5. If appropriate, define link properties, joint constraints, hinge properties, or generalized displacements that can then be used to assign
parameters for selected joints/points. Use the nonlinear link element to model base isolators and dampers.

6. Use the Define menu > Load Cases command to define static load cases.

7. If mass is used in the model, use the Define menu > Mass Source command to specify the source of mass in the model.

Note: Mass is required if you are doing a modal analysis to determine mode shapes. It is also
required to convert static nonlinear force-deformation results into the capacity spectrum
ADRS format.
8. Use the commands available on the Draw menu to draw frame, cable, tendon, area (poly or rectangular), point (special joints) and link objects
as needed. We recommend assigning structural properties to objects as they are drawn using the Properties of Object form. The form can be
used to assign structural properties, loads or masses. Also the line objects can be used as guidelines for snapping (see Snap To), which helps
draw a model with accurate connectivity.

Note that all joints needed by the objects are automatically generated. No pre-definition of joints is required. Joints can be glued to a grid line.
Moving the grid line will modify the location of all joints on the grid line and stretch or shrink all objects connected to those joints. Double
click a grid line to display the Define Grid Data form and accurately reposition the grid line. Also use that form to unlock the grid lines and
drag and drop them on the screen to new locations.

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9. Use the Edit menu commands to modify and in some cases tweak the geometry of the model as needed. See the topics in the Edit folder of this
Help for more information about those commands. Two commands, Extrude and Replicate, deserve special attention. The Edit menu >
Extrude command is used to extrude points to frames/cables, line to areas, and areas to solids as well as convert lines to areas or lines and
areas to solids and add solids between areas and areas between lines. The Edit menu > Replicate command is a powerful way of generating a
large model from a small model when the objects and joints form a linear or radial pattern or are symmetrical about a plane.

10. As appropriate, use the Define menu > Groups command to define group names and the Assign menu > Assign to Groups command to assign
groups. A group is a collection of objects that is assigned a unique name. Groups may be used for many different purposes in SAP2000,
including assigning properties or selecting objects for design. Each object may be part of as many groups as needed. Also, use the Define
menu > Joint Patterns command to define a joint pattern and the Assign menu > Assign Joint Patterns command to assign joint patterns. A
joint pattern is a set of scalar values defined at the joints. The specified named joint pattern can be referenced when assigning temperature or
pressure loads to objects. This allows you to describe more complex distributions of temperature and pressure over the structure.

11. Use the Assign menu commands to revise properties in your template model, if necessary, and to make additional assignments to template
members as well as to any other members you might have drawn. The types of assignments that can be made include section properties, loads,
masses, moment releases, partial fixity, and so forth. To make an assignment to an object, select the object then click the appropriate Assign
menu command. See the topics in the Select book of this Help for information on the various options available in SAP2000 for selecting and
deselecting objects.

Note: Right clicking on an object will display an {Object Type} Information form (Point,
Line, Area, Link, Solid). The three tabs on the forms identify the Assignments, Loads, and
Location of the selected object. Left clicking in the cell associated with an assignment, load or
coordinate may display a form that can be used to review and update the item. With a form
displayed, clicking the F1 key on the keyboard will access the Help topic for that form. Also
note that although several assignments can be made to an object, it is only necessary to make
those assignments needed for your model.

If appropriate, use the Define menu > Define Bridge Loads command if a moving load
analysis is to be conducted. Similarly, use the Define menu > Functions > Response
Spectrum command or the Define menu > Functions > Time History command to define the
required functions before defining the required analysis case.
12. Use the Display menu > Show Tables command to review the model input. Alternatively, right click on an object to display assignment and
load data on an object-by-object basis.

Use the View menu > Set Display Options command, or the Set Display Options button, to
toggle on the display of various input items. Examples of the items that can be toggled on and
off include labels, section properties, releases, springs, local axes, and the like.
14. If desired, use the File menu > Print Tables command to print input data to a file or to the printer. Or use the File menu > Custom Report
Writer command to generate the input data in various formats (.rtf, txt, html).

Alternatively, use the File menu > Export > Save SAP2000 MS Access Database mdb File
command to save the input data in a database file that can be reviewed, modified and printed
using Microsoft Access or the File menu > Export > Save SAP2000 MS Excel Spreadsheet
xls File command to save the input data in a spreadsheet file that can be reviewed, modified
and printed using Microsoft Excel.
15. Use the Analyze menu > Set Analysis Options command to specify the model degrees of freedom.

16. If your model has objects that require manual meshing, use the manual meshing options available using the Edit menu > Edit Lines > Divide
Frames, Edit menu > Edit Areas > Divide Areas, or Edit menu > Divide Solids commands to mesh those objects.

17. Use the Analyze menu > Run Analysis command to check the analysis status of the cases, delete results for cases that have already been run,
set which cases are to be run and then run the analysis. When the analysis is complete, scroll through the text in the Analysis Window to
check for any warnings or errors that might invalidate your analysis.

When the analysis is complete, a deformed shape of the model will automatically display. If desired, animate the deformed shape and mode
shape in 3-d perspective by clicking the Start Animation button in the status bar at the bottom of the screen. Animate shell structures
displaying stress contours with the corresponding deformed shapes in full in 3-D perspective. While displaying mode shapes, the mode being
displayed can be instantaneously changed with the '+/-' buttons that will appear at the bottom of the screen.

18. Use the display features available on the Display menu to display analysis results on your model or on the screen in a tabular format. See the
topics in the Display folder of this Help for more information about displaying results, such as forces and stresses (joints, links,

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frames/cables/tendons, shells, Asolids, solids, and planes), and loads (joints, links, frames/cables/tendons, areas and solids), as well as
miscellaneous assignments (joints, links, frames/cables/tendons, areas, and solids), influence lines, plot functions, and static pushover curves.

Alternatively, use the Display menu > Show Tables command to display analysis results in
tabular format.
19. If desired, use the File menu > Print Tables command to print output to a file or to the printer, or use the File menu > Custom Report Writer
command to generate output in a variety of formats, including those compatible with Word, standard text editors, and .html editors.

Alternatively, use the File menu > Export > Export SAP2000 MS Access Database mdb File
command to save the analysis output data in a database file that can be reviewed, modified
and printed using Microsoft Access or File menu > Export > Export SAP2000 MS Excel
Spreadsheet xls File command to save the analysis output data in a spreadsheet that can be
reviewed, modified and printed using Microsoft Excel.
20. If desired, use the commands available on the Design menu to run your model through one or more of the SAP2000 design postprocessors.
See the Steel Frame Design Procedure, Concrete Frame Design Procedure or Aluminum Frame Design Procedure topics for more information
about completing design.

Important: Remember to save your model often!

TIP: The A to Z Problems provide step-by-step instructions for building a model. Doing a few of the
problems may help you understand the relationship between the commands and how to apply the
software to efficiently and easily complete your engineering tasks.

Bridge Analysis
The bridge analysis can be used to compute influence lines for traffic on bridge structures and to
analyze these structures for the response resulting from vehicle live loads. The vehicle live loads can
be combined with static and dynamic loads, and envelopes of the response can be computed.

Displacements, spring forces and frame-element internal forces can be determined because of the
influence of vehicle live loads. Other object types (area, solid and link) may be used; they contribute
to the stiffness of the structure, but they are not analyzed for the effects of vehicle live loads.

Select vehicle live loads from a set of standard highway and railway vehicles, or create your own
vehicle live loads.

The general process for completing bridge analysis is as follows:

1. Create the bridge model (i.e., specify the geometry) as described in the Define Bridge Loads
topic or using the Bridge Modeler, which can be accessed using the Bridge menu commands
or the Bridge Wizard. A special license is required to use the Bridge Modeler. Note that the
Help topics for creating a bridge model using the define bridge loads approach or the Bridge
Wizard also mention or hyperlink to several of the following steps of this bridge analysis
process.

2. Define lanes

3. Assign frame lanes

4. Define vehicles

5. Define vehicles classes

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6. Define a bridge response

7. Define a moving load analysis case

8. Display influence lines, or if the Bridge Modeler (see above) has been used to created the
model, use the Display menu > Show Forces/Stress command to review the model results.

See Also

General Process for Using Bridge Modeler

Show Bridge Forces/Stresses

General Process for Using the Bridge Modeler

Compared to the SAP2000 standard bridge design tools available from the Define menu > Bridge
Loads commands, the Bridge Modeler utility provides further advances and is easier to use when
designing complex bridge structures. An additional license is required for the Bridge Modeler (see
the Options menu > Request License command for more information).

Quick Start

The Bridge Modeler can be used to quickly generate a bridge model. In its simplest form, three steps
are involved:

1. Define Layout Lines

2. Define Bridge Deck Sections

3. Define Bridge Objects

With these three steps, SAP2000 can generate a bridge model using default definitions. After the
bridge model has been built, the bridge analysis can be performed.

Note: Some of the Define menu > Bridge Loads and Bridge menu commands achieve the same
result. Specifically, the following command pairs function identically:

Define menu > Bridge Loads > Lanes and Bridge menu > Lanes
Define menu > Bridge Loads > Vehicle Classes and Bridge menu > Vehicle Classes
Define menu > Bridge Loads > Vehicles and Bridge menu > Vehicles
Define menu > Bridge Loads > Bridge Responses and Bridge menu > Bridge Responses

In-Depth Process Using Bridge Modeler

In some cases, more control over the parameters used to define the bridge model may be necessary.
The following process is intended to demonstrate the relationship among the various commands and
forms that can be used to define the bridge object that is used to generate the bridge model.

Enable the Bridge Modeler. If the commands on the Bridge menu are not available, click the

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Options menu > Request Module License command and select the Bridge Modeler item from the
submenu.

Orient the model to the coordinate system. Click the Bridge menu > Layout Lines command to
access the Define Bridge Layout Line form and define a layout line. The layout line specifies the
orientation of the bridge relative to the coordinate system. The placement of bridge objects (e.g.,
abutments, columns, bents, hinges, spans) is accomplished relative to the layout line. Click the Set
Preferences button on that form to display the Bridge Layout Preferences form and specify the
orientation of the North arrow relative to the X axis of the global coordinate system and the
discretization (i.e., smoothness) of any curves used in the bridge model.

In rare instances, it may be desirable to adjust the horizontal or vertical alignment of the layout line.
Use the Bridge Layout Line Horizontal Layout Data form and the Bridge Layout Line Vertical
Layout Data form in such a case. Note that changing the alignment of the layout line adjusts the
reference line, and therefore, the placement of bridge objects. Step 6 below explains how to adjust
the alignment of deck sections relative to the layout line rather than adjusting the layout line itself.
For the beginner, it likely is better to use the commands identified in Step 6 to adjust bridge
alignment rather than using these two buttons to adjust the layout line.

1. Specify bridge supports. Click the Bridge menu > Abutments command to access the Define
Bridge Abutments form and define bridge abutments. Click the Bridge menu > Bridge Column
Supports command to display the Define Bridge Foundation Springs form and define column
supports for the model.

2. Define the deck sections. Click the Bridge menu > Deck Sections command to display the
Define Bridge Deck Sections form. That form provides access to another form that can be used
to select a template shape for the deck section and girder assembly. The templates can be used
to quickly model common bridge deck section configurations (e.g., vertical girders, sloped
girders, tee beams, and flat slabs, among others). After selecting the shape for the bridge deck
section, also specify the section property, material property, the slab and girder thicknesses,
and the left and right overhang.

3. Define the bent assembly. With the bridge column supports and deck section specified, click
the Bridge menu > Bents command to display the Define Bridge Bents form. Use that form to
access another form to define the number of columns, the cap beam section property, the
length of the cap beam, and the location(s) of the column(s) in the bent assembly.

4. Add hinges/expansion joints. Click the Bridge menu > Hinges (Expansion Joints) command
to display the Define Bridge Hinges (Expansion Joints) form. Use the form to access the
Bridge Hinge (Expansion Joint) Data form and specify the type of hinge, the bridge restrainer,
and the location of the expansion joints.

5. Add parabolic shapes, curves, or slopes to the alignment of bridge segments. If necessary,
click the Bridge menu > Parametric Variations command to display the Define Parametric
Variations form. Use the form to access the Variation Definition form and specify parabolic
and curve adjustments to bridge segment alignments.

6. Build the bridge model. Click the Bridge menu > Bridge Objects command to display the
Define Bridge Objects form. Use that form to access the Bridge Object Data form, which has
the options needed to build the bridge model. The options can be used to specify a single span
from the starting abutment to the ending abutment, or to specify bridge segments using station
locations along the bridge alignment, which can be adjusted by specifying vertical and
horizontal offsets for the specified bridge segment(s). The buttons available on the form (e.g.,
Modify/Show Span Definition, Modify/Show Abutment Definitions and so on) provide easy

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access to the forms used to define the elements comprising the bridge objects, making
adjustments to the bridge model quick and easy. In addition, those forms provide access to
additional forms that can be used to define prestress tendons for the model.

7. Generate the bridge model from the bridge object. Click the Bridge menu > Update Linked
Bridge Model command to create an object-based model based on the various definitions
specified in the preceding steps. When the Update Linked Model option is selected in the
Action drop-down list, the model can be modified and updated again using Bridge Modeler
(i.e., the commands on the Bridge menu). Using the Convert to Unlinked Model option also
will create the object-based model, but will then "disconnect" the model from Bridge Modeler.
Thus, an unlinked model can no longer be modified or updated using Bridge Modeler.
However, an unlinked model can be edited using SAP2000's other menu commands (e.g., Edit
menu, Draw menu).

8. After the bridge model has been built, the bridge analysis can be performed.

See Also

Bridge Wizard

Non-Linear Static (Pushover) Analysis

Nonlinear static pushover analysis capabilities are provided in the nonlinear version of SAP2000
only. The nonlinear behavior occurs in discrete user-defined hinges. Currently, hinges can be
introduced into frame objects only and assigned at any location along the frame object. Uncoupled
moment, torsion, axial force and shear hinges are available. There is also a coupled P-M2-M3 hinge
that yields based on the interaction of axial force and bending moments at the hinge location. More
than one type of hinge can exist at the same location; for example, both an M3 (moment) and a V2
(shear) hinge may be assigned to the same end of a frame object. For more information about hinges,
see Hinge Properties.

A pushover analysis can consist of more than one pushover load case. Each pushover load case can
have a different distribution of load on the structure. For example, a typical pushover analysis might
consist of three pushover load cases. The first would apply gravity load to the structure, the second
would apply one distribution of lateral load over the height of the structure, and the third would
apply another distribution of lateral load over the height of the structure. There are four different
methods of describing the distribution of load on the structure for a pushover load case:

1. A uniform acceleration can be automatically applied. In that case, the lateral force
automatically applied at each node is proportional to the mass tributary to that node.

2. A lateral force that is proportional to the product of a specified mode shape times its circular
2
frequency squared (w ) times the mass tributary to a node can be automatically applied at each
node. The user may specify the mode shape to be used in that instance.

3. An arbitrary static load pattern may be defined.

4. Any of the methods described in 1, 2 and 3 can be combined.

Several types of output can be obtained from the nonlinear static pushover analysis:

1. Base shear versus displacement at a specified control joint can be plotted.

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2. Base shear versus displacement at a specified control joint can be plotted in the ADRS format
where the vertical axis is spectral acceleration and the horizontal axis is spectral displacement.
The demand spectra can be superimposed on that plot.

3. The sequence of hinge formation and the color-coded state of each hinge can be viewed
graphically, on a step-by-step basis, for each step of the pushover.

4. The member forces can be viewed graphically, on a step-by-step basis, for each step of the
analysis.

5. Tabulated values of base shear versus displacement at each point along the pushover curve,
along with tabulations of the number of hinges beyond certain control points on their hinge
property force-displacement curve can be viewed on the screen, printed, or saved to a file.

6. Tabulated values of the capacity spectrum (ADRS capacity and demand curves), the effective
period and the effective damping can be viewed on the screen, printed, or saved to a file.

The following general sequence of steps is involved in a nonlinear static pushover analysis:

1. Create a model.

2. Define arbitrary static load patterns, if needed, for use in the pushover analysis. Note that the
program also has built-in capability to define the distribution of lateral load over the height of
the structure based on both uniform acceleration and mode shapes.

3. Define the pushover load cases.

4. Define hinge properties.

5. Assign hinge properties to frame elements.

6. Run the pushover analysis by selecting a static nonlinear analysis case on the Set Analysis
Cases to Run form. The analysis case will be available only if there is at least one frame object
with a hinge property assigned to it, and there is at least one pushover load case defined. If
frame objects are specified to be designed by the program, this design automatically will be
performed before the pushover analysis routine begins.

7. Review the pushover results.

8. If necessary, revise the model and repeat steps 2 through 7.

See Also

Override Axis Labels And Range

Override Structural Behavior Type

Aluminum Frame Design Procedure

Following is a typical aluminum frame design process. Note that the sequence of steps taken in any
particular design may vary but the basic process will probably be essentially the same.

1. Use the Options menu > Preferences > Aluminum Frame Design Preferences command to

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choose the aluminum frame design code and to review other aluminum frame design
preferences and revise them if necessary. Note that default values are provided for all
aluminum frame design preferences so it is not actually necessary to define any preferences.
However, review the preferences, and if necessary change them, to ensure they are acceptable.

2. Create the model. See Modeling Process for more information.

3. Run the analysis using the Analyze menu > Run Analysis command. If desired, animate the
deformed shapes and mode shapes in 3-D perspective by clicking the Start Animation button
in the status bar at the bottom of the screen. Animate shell structures displaying stress contours
with the corresponding deformed shapes in full 3-D perspective. While displaying mode
shapes, the mode being displayed can be instantaneously changed with the buttons that will
appear at the bottom of the screen. Use the Options menu > Sound command to turn the sound
associated with the animation off or on.

4. Assign aluminum frame overwrites, if needed, using the Design menu > Aluminum Frame
Design > View/Revise Overwrites command. Note that frame objects must be selected before
using this command. Also note that default values are provided for all aluminum frame design
overwrites so it is not actually necessary to define overwrites; however, use this command to
review the default values, and if necessary, change them.

5. Designate design groups, if desired, using the Design menu > Aluminum Frame Design >
Select Design Groups command. Note that some groups must already have been created by
selecting objects and clicking the Assign menu > Assign to Groups command.

6. To use any design load combinations other than the defaults created by SAP2000 for the
aluminum frame design, click the Design menu > Aluminum Frame Design > Select Design
Combos command. Note that user defined design combos must already have been created
using the Define menu > Combinations command.

7. Designate lateral displacement targets for various load cases using the Design menu >
Aluminum Frame Design > Set Lateral Displacement Targets command.

8. Click the Design menu > Aluminum Frame Design > Start Design/Check of Structure
command to run the aluminum frame design.

9. Review the aluminum frame design results using one of the following methods:

n Click the Design menu > Aluminum Frame Design > Display Design Info command to
display design information on the model.

n Right click on a frame object while the design results are displayed on it to enter the
interactive design mode and interactively design the frame object. Note that while in
this mode, overwrites can be viewed and revised and the results of the new design
displayed immediately.

If design results are not currently displayed, click the Design menu > Aluminum Frame
Design > Interactive Aluminum Frame Design command and then right click a frame
object to enter the interactive design mode for that object.

10. Use the File menu > Print Tables command to print aluminum frame design data. If frame
objects are selected before using this command, data is printed for only the selected objects.

11. Use the Design menu > Aluminum Frame Design > Change Design Section command to

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change the design section properties for selected frame objects.

12. Click the Design menu > Aluminum Frame Design > Start Design/Check of Structure
command to rerun the aluminum frame design with the new section properties. Review the
results using the procedures described above.

13. Rerun the analysis using the Analyze menu > Run Analysis command. Note that the section
properties used for the analysis are the last specified design section properties.

Compare the lateral displacements with the lateral displacement targets.

14. Click the Design menu > Aluminum Frame Design > Start Design/Check of Structure
command to rerun the aluminum frame design with the new analysis results and new section
properties. Review the results using the procedures described above.

15. Again use the Design menu > Aluminum Frame Design > Change Design Section command to
change the design section properties for selected frame objects, if necessary.

16. Repeat the process in steps 12, 13, 14 and 15 as many times as necessary until the design
criteria are satisfied, i.e., stresses and displacements are within allowable limits, and the
analysis and design sections are the same.

17. Verify that the lateral displacement are within acceptable limits.

18. Click the Design menu > Aluminum Frame Design > Verify all Members Passed command to
verify that all of the final design sections passed the stress check.

19. Click the Design menu > Aluminum Frame Design > Verify Analysis vs Design Section
command to verify that all of the final design sections are the same as the last used analysis
sections.

20. Select all frame objects and click the Design menu > Aluminum Frame Design > Make Auto
Select Section Null command. This removes any auto select section assignments from the
selected frame objects (if they have the Aluminum Frame design procedure).

21. Use the File menu > Print Tables command to print selected aluminum frame design results if
desired. In addition, view time history displacements in real time video using the SAP2000
video creation options.

Note: Design is an iterative process. The sections used to run the original analysis are not typically
the same sections that are used at the end of the design process. Always run an analysis using the
final frame section sizes and then run a design check based on the forces obtained from that analysis.
Use the Design menu > Aluminum Frame Design > Verify Analysis vs Design Section command to
ensure that the design sections are the same as the analysis sections.

Concrete Frame Design Procedure

The following sequence describes a typical concrete frame design process for a new building. Note
that although the sequence of steps taken may vary, the basic process probably will be essentially the
same.

1. Use the Options menu > Preferences > Concrete Frame Design command to choose the
concrete frame design code and to review other concrete frame design preferences and revise

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them if necessary. Note that default values are provided for all concrete frame design
preferences, so it is unnecessary to define any preferences; however, review the preferences,
and if necessary change them, to ensure they are acceptable.

2. Create the building model. See Modeling Process for more information.

3. Run the building analysis using the Analyze menu > Run Analysis command. If desired,
animate the deformed shapes and mode shapes in 3-D perspective by clicking the Start
Animation button in the status bar at the bottom of the screen. Animate shell structures
displaying stress contours with the corresponding deformed shapes in full 3-D perspective.
While displaying mode shapes or deformed shapes, the vector being displayed can be
instantaneously changed with the '+/-' buttons that will appear at the bottom of the screen. Use
the Options menu > Sound command to turn the sound associated with the animation off or on.

4. Assign concrete frame overwrites, if needed, using the Design menu > Concrete Frame Design
> View/Revise Overwrites command. Note that frame objects must be selected before using
this command. Also note that default values are provided for all concrete frame design
overwrites, so it is unnecessary to define any overwrites; however, use this command to
review the values, and if necessary change them. Note that the overwrites can be assigned
before or after the analysis has been run.

5. To use any design load combinations other than the defaults created by the program for the
concrete frame design, click the Design menu > Concrete Frame Design > Select Design
Combo command. Note that design combos must already have been created by clicking the
Define menu > Combinations command.

6. Click the Design menu > Concrete Frame Design > Start Design/Check of Structure command
to run the concrete frame design.

7. Review the concrete frame design results by doing one of the following:

n Click the Design menu > Concrete Frame Design > Display Design Info command to
display design input and output information on the model.

n Right click on a frame object while the design results are displayed on it to enter the
interactive design mode and interactively design the frame object. Note that while in this
mode, overwrites can be reviewed and changed with the results of the new design
displayed immediately.

If design results are not currently displayed (and the design has been run), click the
Design menu > Concrete Frame Design > Interactive Concrete Frame Design
command and then right click a frame object to enter the interactive design mode for
that object.

8. Use the File menu > Print Tables command to print concrete frame design data. If frame
objects are selected before using this command, data is printed only for the selected objects.

9. Use the Design menu > Concrete Frame Design > Change Design Section command to change
the design section properties for selected frame objects.

10. Click the Design menu > Concrete Frame Design > Start Design/Check of Structure command
to rerun the concrete frame design with the new section properties. Review the results using
the procedures described in Item 7.

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11. Rerun the building analysis using the Analyze menu > Run Analysis command. Note that the
section properties used for the analysis are the last specified design section properties.

12. Click the Design menu > Concrete Frame Design > Start Design/Check of Structure command
to rerun the concrete frame design with the new analysis results and new section properties.
Review the results using the procedures described above.

13. Again use the Design menu > Concrete Frame Design > Change Design Section command to
change the design section properties for selected frame objects, if necessary.

14. Repeat the processes in steps 10, 11, 12 and 13 as many times as necessary.

15. Rerun the building analysis using the Analyze menu > Run Analysis command. Note that the
section properties used for the analysis are the last specified design section properties.

16. Click the Design menu > Concrete Frame Design > Start Design/Check of Structure command
to rerun the concrete frame design with the new section properties. Review the results using
the procedures described in Item 7.

17. Click the Design menu > Concrete Frame Design > Verify Analysis vs Design Section
command to verify that all of the final design sections are the same as the last used analysis
sections.

18. Use the File menu > Print Tables command to print selected concrete frame design results, if
desired. In addition, view time history displacements in real time video using the SAP2000
video creation options or use the Custom Report Writer to generate a report, including analysis
and design results, for the model.

Note: It is important to note that design is an iterative process. The sections used in the original
analysis are not typically the same as those obtained at the end of the design process. Always run the
building analysis using the final frame section sizes and then run a design check using the forces
obtained from that analysis. Use the Design menu > Concrete Frame Design > Verify Analysis vs
Design Section command to verify that the design sections are the same as the analysis sections.

Steel Frame Design Procedure

Following is a typical steel frame design process that might occur for a new building. Note that the
sequence of steps in any particular design may vary but the basic process will probably be essentially
the same.

1. Use the Options menu > Preferences > Steel Frame Design Preferences command to choose
the steel frame design code and to review other steel frame design preferences and revise them
if necessary. Note that default values are provided for all steel frame design preferences so it is
not actually necessary to define any preferences. However, review the preferences, and if
necessary change them, to ensure they are acceptable.

2. Create the building model. See Modeling Process for more information.

3. Run the building analysis using the Analyze menu > Run Analysis command. If desired,
animate the deformed shapes and mode shapes in 3D perspective by clicking the Start
Animation button in the status bar at the bottom of the screen. Animate shell structures
displaying stress contours with the corresponding deformed shapes in full in 3D perspective.
While displaying mode shapes or deformed shapes, the vector being displayed can be

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instantaneously changed with the '+/-' buttons that will appear at the bottom of the screen. Use
the Options menu > Sound command to turn the sound associated with the animation off or on.

4. If needed, assign steel frame overwrites using the Design menu > Steel Frame Design >
View/Revise Overwrites command. Note that frame elements must be selected before using
this command. Also note that default values are provided for all steel frame design overwrites
so it is not actually necessary to define any overwrites. However, review them and if necessary
change them to ensure they are acceptable.

5. Designate design groups, if desired, using the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Select
Design Groups command. Note that groups must have already been created by selecting
objects and clicking the Assign menu > Assign to Groups command.

6. To use any design load combinations other than the defaults created by SAP2000 for the steel
frame design, click the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Select Design Combos
command. Note that user-specified design combos must have already been created by clicking
the Define menu > Combinations command.

7. Designate lateral displacement targets for various load cases using the Design menu > Steel
Frame Design > Set Lateral Displacement Targets command.

8. Click the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Start Design/Check of Structure command to
run the steel frame design.

9. Review the steel frame design results using one of the following methods:

n Click the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Display Design Info command to
display design information on the model.

n Right click on a frame element while the design results are displayed on it to enter the
interactive design mode and interactively design the frame element. Note that while you
are in this mode, you can revise overwrites and immediately see the results of the new
design.

If design results are not currently displaying, click the Design menu > Steel Frame
Design > Interactive Steel Frame Design command and then right click a frame
element to enter the interactive design mode for that element.

10. Use the File menu > Print Tables command to print steel frame design data. If a few frame
elements are selected before using this command, data is printed for only the selected
elements.

11. Use the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Change Design Section command to change the
design section properties for selected frame elements.

12. Click the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Start Design/Check of Structure command to
rerun the steel frame design with the new section properties. Review the results using the
procedures described above.

13. Rerun the building analysis using the Analyze menu > Run Analysis command. Note that the
section properties used for the analysis are the last specified design section properties.

Compare the lateral displacements with the lateral displacement targets.

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14. Click the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Start Design/Check of Structure command to
rerun the steel frame design with the new analysis results and new section properties. Review
the results using the procedures described above.

15. Again use the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Change Design Section command to
change the design section properties for selected frame elements, if necessary.

16. Repeat the process in steps 12, 13, 14 and 15 as many times as necessary.

17. Select all frame elements and click the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Make Auto
Select Section Null command. This removes any auto select section assignments from the
selected frame elements (if they have the Steel Frame design procedure).

18. Rerun the building analysis using the Analyze menu > Run Analysis command. Note that the
section properties used for the analysis are the last specified design section properties.

19. Verify that the lateral displacements are within acceptable limits.

20. Click the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Start Design/Check of Structure command to
rerun the steel frame design with the new section properties. Review the results using the
procedures described above.

21. Click the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Verify Analysis vs Design Section command
to verify that all of the final design sections are the same as the last used analysis sections.

22. Use the File menu > Print Tables > Design Results command to print selected steel frame
design results if desired. In addition, view time history displacements in real time video using
the SAP2000 video creation options.

Note: Design is an iterative process. The sections used to run the original analysis are not typically
the same sections that are used at the end of the design process. Always run a building analysis using
the final frame section sizes and then run a design check based on the forces obtained from that
analysis. The Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Verify Analysis vs Design Section command is
useful for making sure that the design sections are the same as the analysis sections.

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