COMPUTERS &

STRUCTURES
INC.
R
Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 1



EXAMPLE 1-017
FRAME VIBRATION OF A STRING UNDER TENSION
EXAMPLE DESCRIPTION
A flexible string is attached to two supports and tensioned to 0.5 kips. The first
three modes of the tensioned string are calculated and compared with
independent results derived using formulas presented in Kreyszig 1983.
The string is modeled using a single frame object. Two different models are
created for the comparison. The first has the frame object discretized into 10
elements and the second has it discretized into 100 elements.
The initial tension force is applied in the SAP2000 models through a static
nonlinear analysis that is specified to consider P-Delta effects. The modal
analysis to obtain the frequencies is performed in a second analysis case. The
modal analysis case is specified to use the stiffness at the end of the static
nonlinear case.
GEOMETRY, PROPERTIES AND LOADING

Material Properties
E = 30,000 k/in
2
Mass per unit volume = 7.324E-7 k-sec
2
/in
4
Section Properties
1/16" diameter wire
A = 0.00306796 in
Z
X
100"
0.5 k
Model A: 10 frame elements per frame object
Model B: 100 frame elements per frame object
Frame Object Discretization


TECHNICAL FEATURES OF SAP2000 TESTED
Static nonlinear analysis using the P-Delta option to provide tension stiffening
Modal analysis of frame for eigenvalues
EXAMPLE 1-017 - 1
COMPUTERS &
STRUCTURES
INC.
R
Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 1



RESULTS COMPARISON
The independent results are calculated using string vibration theory presented on
pages 506 through 510 of Kreyszig 1983.
Model
#
Elm
Output
Parameter SAP2000 Independent
Percent
Difference
f
1
Hz 74.579 74.586 -0.01%
f
2
Hz 148.93 149.17 -0.16% A 10
f
3
Hz 222.06 223.76 -0.76%
f
1
Hz 74.587 74.586 0%
f
2
Hz 149.18 149.17 +0.01% B 100
f
3
Hz 223.80 223.76 +0.02%

COMPUTER FILES: Example 1-017a, Example 1-017b
CONCLUSION
The SAP2000 results show an acceptable match with the independent results.
Note that the SAP2000 analysis lumps the mass as the element nodes whereas the
independent analysis assumes a uniformly distributed mass. As the discretization
(number of elements) increases the lumped mass distribution approaches the
uniform mass distribution and the SAP2000 results converge to the independent
results.
EXAMPLE 1-017 - 2
COMPUTERS &
STRUCTURES
INC.
R
Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 1



HAND CALCULATION

EXAMPLE 1-017 - 3