Design of Steel Structures using SAP2000

SAP2000 - finite element analysis and design package

Usual Process: Define > Draw > Select > Assign > Analyze > Design

1. Modeling

a. Grid

File > New Model > Set Default Units > Select Template, Grid Only > Input the Number of Grid
Lines, Spacing (Note: can input with units, and the program automatically handles the conversion)

b. Adjust the height

Define > Coordinate Systems/Grids > Tick Global, Modify/Show System > Modify value at the Z
Grid Data, Ordinate column (note that indicated height is cumulative) > OK

c. Define Material Property

Define > Materials (Note that two materials are predefined, one for concrete and one for steel)
> Add New Material Quick (for steel sections) > Steel > ASTM A500 Grade B, Fy 46 (HSS Rect)

d. Define Frame Section

Define > Section Properties > Frame sections > Import New Property > Set Frame Section
Property Type to Steel > Select the needed steel section > Select and open the section database, a
window will pop up > Select SECTIONSS8.PRO > Open > Select A500GrB46 form the Material List > Scroll
down the list below until locating the needed section, you can select a whole group by selecting the first
steel section, hold shift key, and press until the last needed section > OK

e. Letting the program design which steel section

Define > Section Properties > Frame sections > Add New Property > Auto Select List > Name the
list with anything you want, like “Truss” > Select all the steel in you want to include, the program will use
median section in the initial analysis > OK

f. Changing views

View > Set 2D View > Select Y-Z plane, X = 0 > OK, this changes the view in Y-Z elevation

g. Drawing
 Tick the Snap option on lower left side toolbar > Tick the Draw Frame/Cable Element of upper
left side toolbar > Select the desired section > Start drawing > Right click to select a different section >

h. Assigning releases

Select the members > Assign > Frame > Releases/Partial Fixity > Tick Moment 33 for both Start
and End > OK > Assign > Clear Display of Assign, to remove the pinned identifiers

i. Dividing Lines

Select the members > Edit > Edit Lines > Divide Frames > Inout at Divide into Specified Numbers
of Frames, like 2 Number of Frames > OK

j. Support Definition

Select the joint supports > Assign > Joint > Restraint > Select the type of restraint at Fast
Restraints > OK

k. Replicate model

Select the members > Edit > Replicate > Input distance value at Increment boxes > Input number
of locations at Increment data > OK

l. Automatic meshing of steel frame members

Select the members > Assign > Frame > Automatic Frame Mesh > Tick Auto Mesh Frame > Tick
at Intersection with Other Frames, Area Edges and Solid Edges and at Intermediate Joints > OK