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(2013.04.18) Modeling of Topside Structures Webinar - MAXSURF - MOSES - SACS - Wiki - MAXSURF - MOSES - SACS - Bentley Communities
(2013.04.18) Modeling of Topside Structures Webinar - MAXSURF - MOSES - SACS - Wiki - MAXSURF - MOSES - SACS - Bentley Communities
18) Modeling of Topside Structures Webinar - MAXSURF | MOSES | SACS - Wiki - MAXSURF | MOSES | SACS - Bentley Communities
You can view the recording online in the On-Demand Video Library (Click Here).
The following are the product-related questions and corresponding answers from the webinar.
1. Q: What is SDNF?
A: Steel Detailing Neutral Format - this is used by a lot of steel detailing programs and is a useful way to transfer models between SACS and these programs.
However, you should use ISM if interchanging with Bentley’s ProSteel detailing software.
A: You do need to apply the member offset in Precede or the input file for there to be any effect on the analysis results. If you do not include the offset of
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Previewing Stagedto
members Changes
all be top of steel, depending where the membdoing an area loading some members not within the tolerance will not be loaded and this will affect
the results.
3. Q: Does SACS v5.4 allow you to now use the views you have created in Precede to be used in post view?
A: Bentley is currently integrating the post-processing functions of Postvue into Precede so that all viewing functions can be shared in future. Yes, if you open
your Postvue file in 3D Postvue you can see all the views you had saved in the model.
A: Yes, you can define a Member Group and set the buckling length to apply to the entire group.
A: Bentley’s next quarterly Offshore webinar (July 18, 2013) will focus on loading in SACS, recent changes include enhanced stream function loads.
A: Yes, both online and hands on/in-person training is available. Companies with a SELECT subscription can access self-paced training at the Bentley LEARN
server.
7. Q: Is the 3D psvdb improved further to include all the capabilities of the legacy psvdb?
A: The development team is currently working on making all features in the old Postvue to be available in the 3D Postvue. This should be available in SACS
v5.6.
A: Any modern machine running Windows 7 should run SACS just fine. For larger models, Bentley recommends 8GB or more of RAM. The new 64-bit version
of Precede will take advantage of this additional memory.
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9. Q: Is it useful to know how to import the SACS modeled structures to STAAD and vice versa?
A: ISM can be used to exchange structural models between SACS and STAAD.
A: More than one volume can be combined using the Volumes dialogue box.
11. Q: Is there any chance that SACS error messages are detailed clearly?
A: Yes, you can use the Member Property dialogue box to specify that a member is tapered and specify the number of segments along the member.
13. Q: Will you be able to see the stress diagrams of the whole structure in Postvue similar to STAAD?
A: As Bentley combines Postvue into Precede, we will add additional viewing capabilities including global moment and stress diagrams. You can display color
coded stress renderings using Postvue3D.
14. Q: If the member chosen as a reference for member offset is changed, will the other member offsets automatically adjust?
A: No, if you change the depth of the reference member, you will need to re-apply the Member Flush command to align to the new depth.
A: There is not a Copy Member command in SACS, but Bentley will consider this for the future. If you use the Joint/Translate and Rotate box, you can choose
to duplicate joints or members you already have in your model. This will duplicate what you want and you can specify the location.
16. Q: For non-tubular member connect to tubular member, this non-tubular member cannot offset outside of tubular member. Can the new version of SACS do
this?
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A: Yes, member offsets can be applied to any distance including outside of an adjacent member.
A: You can use SDNF to transfer data between PDMS and SACS. ISM can be used for STAAD.
A: No, it is not.
20. Q: Shouldn’t the matrix decomposition error specify the exact reason?
A: It is not always possible to determine the exact cause of a decomposition error, but Bentley will continue to improve error messages.
21. Q: Release labels seem too crowded for big structures. Is there any plan to change it to symbols?
A: This is a good suggestion and Bentley will consider this for the future.
22. Q: Sometimes there is an issue in joint co-ordinate. For example when we create a joint at 5.3 it will show 5.299998. Why?
A: Round off error for floating point numbers is always possible in any engineering program.
23. Q: We have to do aluminium design with Eurocode 9. Does SACS support this?
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A: Yes, turning on the Length labels in the Labelling Options dialogue shows a value for each segment of the member.
25. Q: Can a joint can punching check for non-tubular members be included as per EC3?
A: Currently this is not in SACS, but Bentley’s software development team will consider it.
26. Q: Group number currently is 3 digit only, can it be increased to 4-5 digits?
A: It is limited to three characters. Bentley will consider this for future enhancement.
27. Q: What about the Jack up? Can I model it using SACS?
29. Q: To model the rectangular deck plate, can we click 4 joint in any order or do we need to follow any specific order?
A: When adding plates, you can click on the joints in clockwise or counter-clockwise order but the local z coordinates of the plate will point upwards when
using counter-clockwise order. This is the normal practice.
A: When you divide a segmented member, you will need to rename the groups if you do not want the segments on the divided part.
A: Sample cases are installed with SACS system. Demo DVDs are not available. You can view videos of SACS in use on our recorded webinars at
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32. Q: Where can I learn more about using the shell and solid elements?
A: A future Bentley webinar will cover these element types. In the meantime, the Precede user manual has details on modeling with plates and shells.
A: You can apply skid loads to model the weight of equipment on skids. Footprint, skid load, joint/member concentrated load, etc.
A: The joint thickness is the distance from the edge of the section to the center line.
36. Q: Do you plan on changing the program so that it is not limited by GRUP cards?
A: Using GRUP cards adds an unnecessary step to modeling and makes changes time consuming. There are many advantages to using GRUP cards, so
Bentley plans to continue using them for now.
A: SACS does now support ISO19902 for code checking of tubular members.
38. Q: Your menus are much more user friendly. Is this feature only in SACS version 5.5?
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39. Q: Will it be possible for us to practice from a free sample of student version SACS?
A: Later this year SACS will become available under Bentley’s BeCareers academic program. Ask your teaching staff to consider joining this program. More
details at www.bentley.com/becareers.
A: No, SESAM import is not supported but our development team can help convert files for you.
41. Q: SACS can export to PDMS, but is there any plan to create the ability to import from PDMS?
A: Use Member Properties dialogue and set the Orientation angle e.g. to 90 degrees.
A: SACS supports over 30 offshore design codes from API, ISO, Norsok, Europe, etc.
44. Q: I use SACS 5.3 Exe. v81 ver. 5.3.21. Can I import model files from PDMS?
46. Q: What will be the cause of matrix decomposition error while running an analysis?
A: There are a number of causes including having a mechanism in your model due to incorrect member releases, having a large difference in stiffnesses
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between adjacent parts of the structure, and having member or plate structural properties set to zero.
47. Q: I'm a new user of SACS and need training. Do you have a training facility/classroom where I can go for couple of days and get training?
A: We offer a range of training options including self-paced online training via the Bentley LEARN server at http://learn.bentley.com, instructor-led online
training in your office, and in-person training on-site at your company. Contact Bentley to discuss your needs and options.
48. Q: In the beginning of the webinar, you duplicated the 700 level deck. The new nodes were still within the 700 series. Is there an easy way to rename the upper
deck nodes to the 800 series?
A: Yes, in Precede go to “Save As” and it will give you the option to pick the unit for the model to be saved.
50. Q: Can we distribute winsn area loads on more than 7 joints in new version?
A: Not currently, but Bentley hopes to have one in the near future.
52. Q: Are there plans to improve Postvue as you have done with Precede?
A: With each release, we are integrating more Postvue functions into Precede.
53. Q: Do load cases automatically include the dead weight of the structure? Or is dead weight a single created load condition?
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54. Q: I would like the loads labelling rotate/translate when members are rotates/translated. How can I do that?
A: In the Translate and Rotate box, check off the box that says “Move all skids, pressure, areas, footprints, etc.”.
A: Bentley regularly delivers training in Europe. Please contact your Bentley account manager to discuss your training needs and options.
A: Yes. SACS users can access the Bentley LEARN server at learn.bentley.com. You can also view recorded webinars in the Bentley On-Demand Video
Library.
A: With each SACS release, Bentley is integrating more Postvue functions into Precede.
58. Q: Can SACS do analysis under wind load, ice wave load?
A: Yes. SACS is an industry standard and GeniE, like many other programs, can read in SACS models.
60. Q: Is there a webinar specifically for gap elements such as modeling friction forces?
A: Not at this stage. Bentley will have future webinars on transportation which will cover the use of gap elements.
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A: Yes, you can use shell element but there is no code check for the shell element.
62. Q: How do we learn more about last year’s Be Inspired Award winner and finalists in the Offshore category?
A: Bentley is proud to have received a number of great use cases for this new category. The Innovation in Offshore Engineering finalists and winner were
outstanding uses of Bentley products for their offshore projects. Consider entering your innovative project in next year’s competition, which will be announced in
May 2013 and awarded in October 2013 in London!
63. Q: How do we get the continuing education credits? How can I get a certificate of attendance of CEU's?
A: Bentley Learning Units (BLU), Bentley Institute’s equivalent to Professional Development Hours (PDH), are granted for the live and recorded webinar.
Within 2-4 weeks of watching the presentation, Learning Units are added to your transcript. To access your transcript, go to
www.bentley.com/mylearninghistory. On the "My Learning History" page, there is a detailed how-to guide related to Learning Units and transcripts, in addition to
the link to the user’s online transcript. In most states, users can submit their Bentley transcripts for consideration for continuing education credit toward their
registration renewals.
A: This event has been recorded and can be viewed online in the On-Demand Video Library.
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Comments: 2
2) Can you include a BEAM (tubulars, beams, channels) to SHELL CONVERTER feature. This is to convert beam element to IGES shell / plate element.
This will be a good feature that could be included.
The best place to ask questions or make suggestions for your Bentley products is the respective Product Community forum. For Offshore products, post to
the Offshore forum here:
communities.bentley.com/.../343374
This link can assist you in finding the right forum, if Offshore is not what you're interested in:
communities.bentley.com/support
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