Software Verification

PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000

REVISION NO.: 2

EXAMPLE 4-001
ASOLID SOIL SUPPORTING UNIFORMLY LOADED CIRCULAR FOOTING

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
In this example, the asolid element is used to study distribution of vertical
displacement and vertical stress in the soil beneath a uniformly loaded circular
footing. The results from the axisymmetric SAP2000 model are compared with
hand-calculated results.

Only a small portion of the semi-infinite soil medium is modeled. The radius of
the footing is 10 feet. A one radian segment of a circular column of soil that is
250 feet deep and has a 100-foot radius is modeled. The soil is assumed to have a
modulus of elasticity of 2,000 ksf and a Poissons ratio of 0.25. The footing
exerts a uniform 5 ksf load on the soil.

CLSym
10' 10' 90'
5 ksf soil surface
loading from footing Soil surface

250'

EXAMPLE 4-001 - 1
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 2

GEOMETRY, PROPERTIES AND LOADING

10' 90'
Soil Properties
Z E = 2,000 k/ft2
5 ksf = 0.25
X

Elements 5 feet wide

by 1 foot deep

Elements 1 foot wide

by 1 foot deep

Ux restraint along
this edge, typical
250'

Elements 5 feet wide

by 5 feet deep

Elements 1 foot wide

by 5 feet deep

Uz restraint along
base, typical

EXAMPLE 4-001 - 2
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 2

TECHNICAL FEATURES OF SAP2000 TESTED

Analysis using asolid elements
Asolid surface pressure load
Incompatible bending modes for asolid objects

RESULTS COMPARISON
The independent results are calculated using data published in Poulos and Davis
1974. Results are presented separately for the models with and without the
incompatible bending modes option.

With Incompatible Modes

Output Percent
Parameter Vertical Location SAP2000 Independent Difference*
z = 0 ft -0.0467 -0.0469 0%
Uz z = -5 ft -0.0374 -0.0376 -1%
ft z = -10 ft -0.0284 -0.0286 -1%
At x = 0 ft z = -40 ft -0.0094 -0.0095 -1%
z = -80 ft -0.0047 -0.0048 -2%
z = 0 ft -4.993 -5.000 0%
Vertical stress z = -5 ft -4.298 -4.553 -6%
ksf z = -10 ft -3.285 -3.232 -2%
At x = 0 ft z = -40 ft -0.433 -0.435 0%
z = -80 ft -0.122 -0.115 +6%

EXAMPLE 4-001 - 3
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 2

Without Incompatible Modes

Output Percent
Parameter Vertical Location SAP2000 Independent Difference*
z = 0 ft -0.0464 -0.0469 -1%
Uz z = -5 ft -0.0371 -0.0376 -1%
ft z = -10 ft -0.0282 -0.0286 -1%
At x = 0 ft z = -40 ft -0.0094 -0.0095 -1%
z = -80 ft -0.0047 -0.0048 -2%
z = 0 ft -5.260 -5.000 +5%
Vertical stress z = -5 ft -4.265 -4.553 -6%
ksf z = -10 ft -3.127 -3.232 -3%
At x = 0 ft z = -40 ft -0.436 -0.435 0%
z = -80 ft -0.122 -0.115 +6%

COMPUTER FILES: Example 4-001-incomp, Example 4-001-comp

CONCLUSIONS
The SAP2000 results show an acceptable comparison with the independent
results both with and without the incompatible bending modes option.

The results for this example problem are not controlled by bending behavior.
Thus the incompatible bending modes option has little effect on the results.

In general, when bending is a significant contributor to the results of an example

problem, models that do not use the incompatible bending modes option require a
much more refined mesh to obtain results comparable to similar models that use
the incompatible bending modes option.

In general, the incompatible bending modes option should always be used

for asolid element models.

EXAMPLE 4-001 - 4
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 2

HAND CALCULATION

EXAMPLE 4-001 - 5
Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 2

EXAMPLE 4-001 - 6