Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C.

Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 1

CHAPTER 2

A TOUR OF GRASP

ƒ INTRODUCING THE SOFTWARE

GRASP stands for Graphical Rapid Analysis of Structures Program. It is a user-friendly
software for two dimensional analysis of framed structures which includes beams, trusses
and rigid frames. Especially developed for Windows, GRASP uses a Graphical User
Interface(GUI) which provides an interactive, easy to use, graphical environment for
modeling and analysis. GRASP is primarily based on a graphical means of interaction with
the user and can provide direct feedback and effect of modifications. The major features
of GRASP include:

x Modeling and analysis of multiple models in one file

x Presetting of default load cases and load factors
x Internal and automatic tracking of node numbers and member incidences
x Display the structural model at all times on the screen during analysis and
superimposition of the analysis results on the model after analysis
x A Structure Wizard provides a step-by-step guideline for the generation of multistory
structural models
x Supports SI, US and metric units and use of mixed units
x Apply loads on nodes and on members in multiple load cases
x Eight pre-defined types of cross-sections
x Set values of material properties
x Various restraint conditions including spring supports
x Apply member releases at the ends of members
x Diagram of results with values and tables
x View and print the analysis results for the full structure up to 20 sections for a
member
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 2

ƒ CASE STUDY: How do you model and analyze a rigid frame using GRASP?

In this example, you will model a two-story rigid frame shown in the figure. The frame will
carry uniform dead and live loads which will be applied fully on the beams. Wind loads will
also be applied at specified nodes. The basic loads will then be combined using the
following load combination cases:
o Dead Load (incl. Self Load) : 1.4 DL
o Combined Dead and Live Loads : 1.2 DL + 1.6 LL
o Combined Dead, Live and Wind Loads : 1.2 DL + 1.0 LL + 1.3 WL

ƒ Things to Do
Modeling and analysis using GRASP can be divided into five general steps. Follow the
step-by-step procedure described by the figures for the following general steps.
1. Start analysis software and set basic parameters
2. Create geometry (in the figure assume dimensions are referred with respect to the
centroids)
3. Apply basic loads
4. Define load combinations
5. Perfom analysis and view the results

wDL = 15 kN/m , wLL = 7 kN/m 6 kN

10 kN

Vertical Loading Wind Loading

 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 3

CASE STUDY 2

3.0 m

4.0 m

3.0 m 4.0 m 3.0 m

Frame geometry 100 mm
1200 mm
300 mm

300 mm

300 mm
Column cross-section
250 mm
Modulus of Elasticity = 21 kN/mm2 Beam cross-section
Unit Weight = 24 kN/m3
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion = 11 x 10 -6/C
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 4

1. Start analysis software and set basic parameters

Step 1-1 : Select ‘units’ option from ‘Options’ menu to specify the working unit.
To fix the working unit for future use ‘Customize’ option and select the system
that you prefer.

Step 1-3: Select ‘Structure’ => ‘Materials’ and

input material parameters. Change material
properties of the default material if necessary.
You may also add a new material by pressing
‘Add Material’.

Step 1-2 : Select the main unit system (SI,

Metric or US) and other related measurement
parameters (m, cm, mm; kg, k Not ton) from
the options as shown in the dialog box above.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 5

2. Create geometry

Step 2-1: There are two ways of creating the geometry

in GRASP. You may draw the model using the mouse
and GRASP graphical tools or use the ‘Structure
Wizard’. Let us use the second method for step by step
and quick creation of typical building models. Select
‘Structure’ => ‘Frame’ => ‘Structure Wizard’.
Step 2-2: Select an appropriate typical frame
based on bay width, story height and
configuration. For this example, select type 2. If
the frame that you want to model do belong to the
four types, you can change the configuration of
selected model later.

Step 2-3: Specify the number of bays (3) ,

number of stories (2) and typical values of bay
Step 2-4: Select the type and specify the
width (3 m) and story height (4 m). You may
dimensions for a typical column.
also input the bay width (e.g., width = 4 m for
bay 2) that is different from the default width.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 6

Step 2-5: Select the type and specify the Step 2-6: Displaying the frame generated by
dimensions for a typical beam. Structure Wizard.

Step 2-7: To define the type of supports,

select ‘Structure’ => ‘Nodal Restraints’ and
click at the node where restraints will be
defined. Select the type of restraint.

Step 2-8: To display the dimension line between

selected nodes, select ‘Structure’ => ‘Add
Dimensions’ and click any two nodes and double
click at a position where the dimension line will be
displayed . To delete, select ‘Del Dimensions’
and click each line.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 7

Step 2-9: To view the Node and Member
numbers or labels, select ‘View’ => ‘Node
Numbers’ and ‘Member Numbers’.
Step 2-10: Here is the display of the frame with
dimensions, member and node numbers. Observe
that the height of the second story is 4.0 m. This
must be changed to 3.0 m resulting to7.0 m as the
total height of the frame.

Step 2-11: To change the coordinates of the

top most nodes, go to ‘Structure’ => ‘Change
Nodal Coordinates’ and then click the node
and enter the new Y-coordinate (7 m)

Step 2-13: You may also view the outline of the

members by selecting ‘View’ => ‘Member Outline’.
To remove the node numbers, member numbers and
member outline, select ‘View’ => ‘Node Numbers’,
‘Member Numbers’ and ‘Member Outline’.

Step 2-12: Display of the corrected model of the

2D frame.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 8

3. Apply basic loads

Step 3-1: Let us first apply the uniform loads in the
horizontal members. You may apply the loads one
member at a time by simply clicking the specific
member or to all horizontal members. Let us select
all horizontal members. Select “Edit’ => ‘Select
Member’ and click on all horizontal members while
pressing the shift key. Note the change of color of
the selected members.
Step 3-2: If you want to display only the horizontal
members, select “View’ => ‘Members to Show’ =>
‘Horizontal’. Let us now apply the Dead Load.
Select ‘Dead Load’ option from the load cases,
combination and envelope list (rightmost-top).

Step 3-4: Press ‘Add’, select the appropriate

member load and enter the magnitude of the load.

Step 3-3: Select ‘Loading’ => ‘Member Loads’

and click on the selected members.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 9

Step 3-5: Displaying the Dead Load on horizontal Step 3-6: Select ‘Live Load’ option from the
members. load cases, combination and envelope list
(rightmost-top).

Step 3-7: Select ‘Loading’ => ‘Member Loads’

and click on the selected members. Press ‘Add’,
select the appropriate member load and enter the Step 3-8: Displaying the Live Load on
magnitude of the load. horizontal members.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 10

Step 3-10: Define the new load case –

Wind Load and select the option ‘Basic
Step 3-9: To apply the Wind Load, let us add a load Load Case’.
case. Select ‘Loading’ => ‘Add Load Case’.

Step 3-12: Input the magnitude and sign

of the load. Follow the sign convention
Step 3-11: : Select ‘Wind Load’ option from the
shown in the figures.To apply in
load cases, combination and envelope list. Select
opposite direction, use a negative value.
‘Loading’ => ‘Nodal Loads’ and click on the node
where the loads will be applied.

Step 3-13: Displaying the

Wind Loads
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 11

4. Define load combinations

Step 4-2: Specify the name of the load

and select ‘Combination Load Case’.

Step 4-1: Define load combinations by pressing

‘Loading’ => ‘Add Load Case’.

Step 4-3: Input appropriate load factors for the

defined load combination case.

Step 4-4 : Repeat the same steps (4-1 to 4-3) for

the load combination case combining dead load
and live load.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 12

Step 4-5 : Repeat the same steps (4-1 to 4-3) for

the load combination case combining dead load,
5. Analysis and Results

Step 5-1: Carry-out the analysis using ‘Perform’ => ‘Self Load Calculation’
and ‘Analysis’ in the menu option.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 13

Step 5-2: To display graphical results, select the load case or load combination first.

Step 5-3: Select the type of result from the menu option ‘View’ => ‘Bending
Moment’. Select ‘View’ => ‘Result Values’ if you want numerical values
displayed in diagram.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 14

Step 5-4 : Select the type of result from the menu option ‘View’ => ‘Shear Force’.

Step 5-5 : Select the type of result from the menu option ‘View’ => ‘Axial Force’.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 15

Step 5-6 : Select the type of result from the menu option ‘View’ => ‘Reactions’.

Step 5-7: You can view the nodal displacements by simply pointing the mouse at a node
or the member results by pointing the mouse at a member.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 16

Step 5-8: To view the displacements, select the type of result from the menu option
‘View’ => ‘Deflected Shape’

Step 5-9: Double click on any member to display the detailed results and
diagrams for that member.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 17

Step 5-10: Display the results in tabular form using ‘Tables’.

Step 5-11: Prepare the report using ‘File’ => ‘Report Set-up’.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 18

Step 5-12: Select / Deselect the items to be included in the analysis report.

Step 5-13: Select the ‘File’ => ‘Print Preview Report’ to preview the
analysis report.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 19

Step 5-14: Select the ‘File’ => ‘Print Preview Report’ to preview member results

Step 5 -15: Select the ‘File’ => ‘Print Preview Report’ to view graphical results
You may print a hard copy of the report by selecting ‘File’ => ‘Print Report’.
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 20

ƒ GRASP Toolbar
GRASP has a toolbar which provides shortcuts in using the software. The toolbar buttons
may be used instead of the commands in the menu.
Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 21
Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 22
 Understanding 2D Structural Analysis by A.W.C. Oreta : A Tour of GRASP 2 - 23

ƒ GRASP Help and Manual

If you want a step-by-step guide on

the use of GRASP, you may refer to
the document published by
ACECOMS (AIT, Thailand) and
Superior Software Solutions
(Pakistan), GRASP Version 1.0
User’s Manual, 1997 or click on the
“Help” button and detailed
information of various topics can be
found.