Manage Age

GENERAL

New Interface

1 SAP2000 is now fully integrated into Windows.

2 Model building, Analysis, Design and Display of results may be carried out in the same window.

3 The model may be viewed in multiple windows (up to 4).

4 Zooming is possible either in steps or with a mouse defined window

5 Members may be extruded on their centerlines.

6 The model may be viewed in Perspective

7 Context sensitive help is available in the "forms" with a right mouse button click.

8 Detailed information about joints and members in the model is also available with a right mouse button click

(e.g. bending moment diagrams, joint displacements or connectivity etc. )

Designer's Convention

The designer's sign convention is quite different from the typical structural analysis sign convention described in most

text books. The moment which produces compression in the positive face/fiber is called a positive moment and the

axial force which produces tension in the member is called a positive axial force.

Noun-Verb

All commands in SAP2000 work in the "Noun-Verb" mode i.e. you make a selection first and then perform an action

on it. As an example, if you want to delete a member from the model you would first select that member and then

press the delete key.

2 Modes of SAP2000

SAP2000 has two very distinct modes i.e. DRAW and SELECT. SELECT mode is the default mode. DISPLAY and

ASSIGN functions are carried out in the SELECT mode.

Select Mode

When SAP2000 is not in the DRAW mode, SELECT is the default mode. It is possible to make multiple selections and

then perform a task on the selected entities. Display, Assign, Design, Output or even Delete functions are carried out

in this mode.

Tell me more about

Selection Procedures

Display Options

Assign Options

Setup Coordinate System

To set up a Coordinate System for creating a new model

1 On the File menu, click New Model .

2 Choose either the Cartesian or the Cylindrical tab.

3 Type in the number of grids and their spacing and then click OK.

To add another Coordinate System

1 On the Options menu, click Set Coordinate System.

2 Click Add new System.

3 Choose either the Cartesian or the Cylindrical tab.

4 Type in System Name, to define the new Coordinate System.

5 Type in the number of grids and their spacing.

6 Click on Advanced to specify Location and Orientation.

7 Click Ok, Ok, and OK.

Tip: You can add a new grid by pressing the CTRL key and dragging an existing grid to a new location,

or by using the Edit Grid command from the Draw menu. Double clicking on an existing grid opens

the Edit Grid box where you may add or modify the location of a grid.

Also See

Edit Grids

3

Frame Element

FRAME element follows the designer's convention.

X

Z

Y

Global

Coordinates

End I

End J

Axis 2

A