Example 5 - Structural Analysis - FRAME Page 1 of 9

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Example 5 - Structural Analysis - FRAME

PROBLEM

Analyze the braced frame shown below subject to the given uniform load and self weight.

Column section data area = 15 in2 inertias = 250 in.4

Beam section data area = 10 in2 inertias = 500 in.4
Brace section data area = 5 in2 inertias = 1 in.4
Material Density: 490 pcf
Beam Loading: 200 lb/in.

This example shows how to model a structure using the CAESAR II Structural Preprocessor. The figure below displays a single bay, braced space frame. All beam
and column lengths are 50 in. as shown. This frame is subject to its own weight load as well as a uniform load of 200 pounds per inch on all of the top-level beams.
We need to determine the displacements, reactions, and element forces for three load cases: self weight, uniform load, and self weight plus uniform load.

This example will illustrate how to use most of the keyword directives in the structural preprocessor. A standard finite element modeling approach will be followed,
where the system nodes are defined, then materials and section properties, then elements, and finally the loading.

To process the input file Frame.str start the structural preprocessor by selecting option File-Open from the Main Menu then select the type of file as Structure and
select the examples directory to find the file.

Next, select Input-Structural Steel from the Main Menu to enter the input window shown (only the input portion of the window shown here). Click Save or choose
File-Save from the structural processor to error check and save the model.

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After the input has been saved and error checked exit the structural steel input processor to go back to the Main Menu. The analysis can be started immediately by
selecting option Analysis-Statics. At this point CAESAR II will read the binary files created by the structural preprocessor and recommend load cases. Note, in all
probability you will not want to analyze the structure with the recommended load cases. CAESAR II recommends load cases to satisfy piping code compliance.
Therefore occasional loads (like the current uniform load) will not be used. Edit the load cases as shown below. Note that load case 2 consists of only U1 and that it is
designated as an operating case. It is purely a construction case and is segregated here only because it may be interesting to see the loads produced by the Uniform
Load solely.

The results for this analysis are shown in the following nine figures:

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See Also
Examples
Example 1 - Harmonic Analysis -
TABLE
Example 2 - Relief Valve Loads -
RELIEF
Example 3 - Dynamic Analysis of
Water Hammer Loads (HAMMER)
Example 4 - Dynamic Analysis of
Independent Support Earthquake
Excitation (CRYISM)
Example 6 - Dynamic Analysis -
NUREG9
Example 7 - Omega Loop Modeling -
OMEGA
Example 8 - Jacketed Piping -
JACKET
Example 9 - WRC 107
Converting Forces/Moments in the
CAESAR II Global Coordinates to
WRC 107 Local Axes
Example 10 - NEMA SM23

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CAESAR II Version 5.20

Copyright © 1985-2009 COADE, Inc. All Rights Reserved
E-mail: techsupport@coade.com

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