ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

General notes on modeling using SAP

Prepared by

Dr. Ahmed Ghallab

Version (1.0)

10-5-2009

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmed Ghallab 1

ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

General notes on modeling using SAP

1. Before modeling
1.1. Column and shear walls locations and distribution
In choosing suitable locations for lateral force resisting structural system, the
following aspects should be considered:

1. In case if columns are used to resist the lateral load:

1. For small building (ex. Villa), columns should be distributed in both
directions to resist lateral load; If the building area is a square and the columns
are rectangular, roughly 50% of columns should be distributed in each
directions.

2. In case if shear walls are used to resist the lateral load:

1. Shear walls and cores should be with enough stiffness to resist lateral loads in
both directions.

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

2. For the best torsional resistance, as many of the walls as possible should be
located at the periphery of the building. Such an example is shown in the
following figure. The walls on each side may be individual cantilevers or they
may be coupled to each other.

3. The more gravity load can be routed to the foundation via a structural wall,
the less will be the demand for flexural reinforcement in that wall and the
more readily can foundations be provided to absorb the overturning moments
generated in the wall.

4. In multistory building situated in high seismic risk area, a concentration of the

total lateral force resistance in only one or two structural walls is likely to
introduce very large forces to the foundation structure, so that special enlarged
foundations may be required.

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

2. Load path
Load should be transferred from slab to foundation. Circular path as shown in the
following figures is not allowed.

3. Distribution of floor loads:

Distribution of floor loads is based on the stiffness of the supporting elements (EI/L)
NOT ON THE INERTIA ONLY.

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

Simplified Load Transfer

To Lines To Points To Lines and Points

Transfer of Area Load

Slab System Behavior

B
Slab T = 200 mm
Beam Width, B = 300 mm
5.0 m
Beam Depth, D
a) 300 mm
b) 500 mm
c) 1000 mm

Moment Distribution in Slabs Only

Effect of Beam Size on Moment Distribution

a) Beam Depth = 300 mm b) Beam Depth = 500 mm c) Beam Depth = 1000 mm

moment distribution (M 2-2)

Effect of beam stiffness on slab moment distribution

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

4. Analysis methods

Linear-Elastic Linear-Inelastic

Action
Action

Deformation Deformation

Action
Action

Nonlinear-Elastic Nonlinear-Inelastic

Deformation Deformation

5. Materials
a. Young's Modulus (Ec ): for concrete elements should be calculated from
the following equations:

Ec = 4400 Fcu N / mm 2 Where Fcu in N / mm 2

OR Ec = 14000 Fcu kg / cm 2 Where Fcu in kg / cm 2

6. Frame elements
a) Sections:

Frame sections are defined as follows:

• R-sec: Define using b, t

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

• T- sec Define as T-sec taking flange width = 0.5 Flange width of

T-sec ; minimum of (B = 8ts + b OR B=L/10)

• L- sec Define as T-sec taking flange width = 0.5 Flange width of

L-sec ; minimum of (B = 3ts + b OR B= L/20)

Note: for L-sec and T-sec the section can be defined as R-sec and multiply the inertia
around the main axis (3) ; I3-3- by the ratio:

I3- 3 (T - sec or L - sec)

( )
I3-3 (R - sec)

For T-sec this ratio can be taken as (2)

For L-sec this ratio can be taken as (1.5)

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

b) Local axes

The local axis 3 should be parallel to the width (b) in all cases as shown in the
above figure.

c) Flexural rigidity (Ec I)

• under vertical loads or wind load

When calculating the internal forces in the building flexural rigidity of the
members can be calculated by one of the following methods (ECP 203-2007,
6-3-1-5):

1. Flexural rigidity of all members in the building can be calculated

based on the full member dimensions and neglecting steel bars;
Ec Ig ; For case of R-sec Ig = bt3/12

2. effect of cracks can be taken into consideration by taking inertia

of columns =Ec Ig and inertia of beams = 0.5 Ec Ig

Note: only one method should be used in the whole building.

Table (1): (Recommended values for design and to consider effect of cracking in
deflection calculation) for GRAVITY and WIND loads
member ECP ACI-318 (2008) UBC (1997)

Columns Ig

Shear walls Ig

beams 0.5 Ig*

Flat plates and flat slabs 0.5 Ig

and solid slabs

Prestressed slab Ig

* For T-sec use 2x Ig, For L-sec use 1.5 x Ig (as discussed before)

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

• Flexural rigidity under seismic load

To calculate the lateral drift and internal forces due to seismic load, the inertia of the
members are taken as follows (to take the effect of the cracking):

Table (2): Stiffness modifiers for SEISMIC load case

member ECP ACI-318 (2008) UBC (1997)

Columns 0.7 Ig 0.7 Ig 0.7 Ig
Shear walls 0.7 Ig (uncracked) 0.7 Ig (uncracked) 0.7 Ig (uncracked)

0.35Ig (cracked)** 0.35 Ig (cracked) 0.35 Ig (cracked)

beams 0.35 Ig* 0.35 Ig 0.35 Ig

Flat plates and flat 0.25 Ig 0.25 Ig 0.25 Ig
Prestressed slab 0.25 Ig
* For T-sec use 2 Ig, For L-sec use 1.5 Ig (as discussed before)
** (Assume wall section is uncracked (Iwall = 0.7 Ig ) as a first assumption after
analysis check if it is cracked or not. If the moment is bigger than the cracking
moment repeat analysis using Iwall = 0.35 Ig
NOTE: These factors are for seismic force only and not for wind load. For wind load
values in Table (1).

--------------------------------

d) Torsion rigidity

• Case of equilibrium torsion

In this case redistribution of torsion is NOT allowed and the member should
be designed based on the acting torsion.

• Case of compatibility torsion

In this case redistribution of torsion is allowed and the torsion rigidity of the
member can be considered equal to zero in analysis but additional rft, enough
to resist torsion equals to cracking torsion moment, should be added (for small
value of torsion moment stirrups used to resist shear could be enough)

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

Recommended value for torsion constant in Sap and Etabs :

Compatibility torsion= 0.01

Equilibrium torsion = 0.2 (assumed cracked)

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

7. Shell elements
a) Shell element shape

b) Type

Thin shell element generally used to model flat slab

Thick shell element generally used to model raft slab

c) Meshing

The term ‘mesh’ is used to describe the sub-division of surface members into elements
(see Figure 4), with a finer mesh giving more accurate results. The engineer has to assess
how fine the mesh should be; a coarse mesh may not give an accurate representation of
the forces, especially in locations where the stresses change quickly in a short space e.g.
at supports, near openings or under point loads. This is because there are insufficient
nodes and the results are based on interpolations between the nodes. However, a very fine
mesh will take an excessive time to compute, and is subject to the law of diminishing
returns

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

Fig. ( ) Bending moments: accuracy of results compared with mesh size

d) Shells numbers:

For lateral load analysis (to design columns, walls and check drift) use a coarse mesh, for
example, ( 2 x 2 units)
For design of slabs and beams, use moderate mesh; the least of:
• Minimum number (4x 4 units).
• Maximum width (1x1 m.)

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

e) Local axes

Local axes of shell elements in the same plan should be in the same direction

8. Structureal Modeling
a) Under vertical load:

a) It is better to represent the whole structure as 3-d model. However, in some

cases (simple structures) 2- d model can be faster.

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

b) Each floor can be represent as 2-d model (in plan) but columns should be
modeled above (if any) and bottom the floor.

c) In some programs (ex. Safe) supports (ex. Columns) can be modeled as

rotational springs with defined stiffness of rigidity (column stiffness). For a
pin-ended column the stiffness can be taken as K = 3EI/l and for a fully
fixed column K = 4EI/L

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

b) Under horizontal load:

d) Under earthquake load (using response spectrum response)

Building should be modeled in the 3-D

e) Under earthquake load (using equivalent static method) or wind
load

Building can be modeled in the 3-D or 2-D dimensions.

9. Revised your model

a) Use body constraints to model a column (or shear wall ) carries several
beams (as shown below)

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

In this case column (or shear wall) is modeled using frame element at its center line
(point) and the points on its edges are constrained to the center point as follows

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

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Alternatively, a stiff beam with small area section can be used as below:

b) Case of 2-D modeling

1- Column can be represented by a one support or several supports (based on

the dimensions of column relative to the shell element dimension). In the
later, the column load is the algebraic summation of the supports
reactions

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

2- Use body constraints as discussed before (Better solution)

c) Moment release

Moments at the ends of beams can be neglected (released) but additional top
reinforcement at the edge connections enough to resist moment equals to (wL2/24) should
be added. (if beam length is less than 8 m). if beam is longer than 8 m, connecting
moment will be higher and may result in considerable cracking.

For beam, release moment around axis3

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

d) Moment release (Drop in slab; bathroom slab)

In case of drop in slab, discontinuity can be modeled by release moment in the

studied direction

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

Discontinuity in x and y directions

10. Cases of loadings

Each case of loading should be represented separately;
1. Dead Load (D)

2. Floor cover (FC)

3. wall load (WALL)

4. Live load (L)

5. False ceiling (FA)

6. Mechanical loading (M)

7. earthquake (E)

8. wind (W)

9. Temperature (T) etc.,

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

11. Cases of combinations

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

UBC-1997 COMBINATION

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

ρ = 1 in Seismic Zones 1 and 2

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

12. Ultimate limit state design

Twisting moments

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

NOTE: generally mxy can be assumed = 0.2 maximum span moment in each direction
(according to the limit of total moment).hence
M (+ve) design:= 1.2 Mult.

13. Deflection

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

a) Minimum thickness of one way solid slab

b) Minimum thickness of two way solid slab

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

c) (4-3-1-3) Deflection calculation can be neglected if:

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

If the above values are not satisfied deflection should be calculated as follows

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

14. Deflection calculations:

Deflection due to each case of loading should be calculated separately using any of the
following methods then compared with the code limits.

c.1. Using manual method

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

c.2. Using sap model

In sap model deflection can be calculated from the results then total long term
deflection can be calculated from the following relation

∆total (long term) = ∆live +(1+α )(∆

∆ dead + ∆ cover + ∆ wall)

The above equation is based on stiffness modifier factors given in table (1). If the
stiffness of slabs is taken as the gross value, ∆total sould be increased to take effect of
cracking.

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

--------------------
15. Springs under footing or raft
To represent the contact between soil and footing, joint sprting or area spring can be
used. Stiffness of spring can be calculated as follows:

a) 7.1 Joint spring:

K = (100-120) qall * element area (m2)

b) 7.2 Area spring (RECOMMENDED)

K= (100-120) * qall

Where qall = allowable soil bearing stress under the footing (ton/m2)

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

16. Pile stiffness (ref. Design of Pile Foundations

Axial Stiffness. The axial pile stiffness is expressed as:

__
where
b33 = axial pile stiffness
C33 = constant which accounts for the interaction between the soil and the pile
A = cross-sectional area of the pile
E = modulus of elasticity of the pile
L = length of the pile
The term AE/L is the elastic stiffness of the pile acting as a short column with no soil
present. The coefficient (C33) accounts for the stiffness of the soil-pile system.

For design purposes, C33 for a compression pile ranges between 1.0 and 2.0 although
values as low as 0.1 and as high as 3.0 have been noted in the literature.
There appears to be a relationship between C33 and pile length. Longer piles tend to have
higher values of C33 than shorter piles.
C33 for tension piles in sand can be taken as one half of the value used for compression
piles. For tension piles in clay use 75 to 80 percent of the value of C33 for compression
piles.
(2) Long-term loading, cyclic loading, pile group effects, and pile batter can affect C33 .
In sand, long-term loading has little effect on the value of C33 ; however consolidation in
clay due to long-term loading can reduce C33 . At present, the effect of cyclic loading on
C33 is neglected.
For design purposes, if piles are driven to refusal in sand or to a hard layer, there is no
change in the value of C33 for pile groups; however, C33 may be reduced for groups of
friction piles.

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

17. Reinforcement details

18. REFERENC
O Brooker " How to design reinforced concrete slab using Finite element analysis" The Concrete Centre,
May 2006

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ECG ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP S.A.

Appendices
Appendix A
Typical damping ratio

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