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This space is devoted to SAP2000. Please visit the Technical Knowledge Base for documentation on topics common to all CSI Software. |
SAP2000 is general-purpose civil-engineering software ideal for the analysis and design of any type of structural system. Basic and advanced systems, ranging from 2D to 3D, of simple geometry to complex, may be modeled, analyzed, designed, and optimized using a practical and intuitive object-based modeling environment that simplifies and streamlines the engineering process. The SAPFire ® Analysis Engine integral to SAP2000 drives a sophisticated finite-element analysis procedure. An additional suite of advanced analysis features are available to users engaging
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state-of-the-art
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practice
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with
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and
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dynamic
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consideration.
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Created
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by
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engineers
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for
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effective
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engineering,
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SAP2000
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is
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the
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ideal
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software
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tool
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for
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users
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of
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any
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experience
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level,
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designing
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any
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structural
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system.
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Integrated
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modeling
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templates,
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code-based
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loading
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assignments,
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advanced
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analysis
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options,
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design-optimization
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procedures,
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and
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customizable
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output
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reports
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all
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coordinate
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across
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a
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powerful
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platform
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to
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make
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SAP2000
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especially
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useful
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for
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practicing
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professionals.
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SAP2000
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is
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also
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an
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excellent
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medium
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for
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education.
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Open
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SAP2000
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and
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follow
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the
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video
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series
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to
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receive
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not
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only
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instruction
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on
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software
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use,
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but
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also
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insight
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into
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structural
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engineering
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philosophy
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and
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practice.
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| On this page |
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Modeling
Built-in
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modeling
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templates,
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a
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versatile
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and
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user-friendly
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interface,
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intuitive
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controls
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and
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features
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all
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combine
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to
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simplify
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and
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expedite
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a
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sophisticated
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object-based
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modeling
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process.
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A
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broad
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range
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of
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modeling
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options
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provide
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for
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methods
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and
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technologies
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at
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the
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forefront
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of
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structural
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engineering.
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Model
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domain
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may
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be
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component,
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system,
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or
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global-level
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in
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scope
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, while
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encompassing
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sub-grade
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components
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and
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soil-structure
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interaction.
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Grid
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line,
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snap,
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and
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replication
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tools
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are
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a
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few
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of
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the
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many
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practical
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features
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which
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make
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the
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modeling
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environment
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and
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process
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accessible
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to
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beginners
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, and
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sophisticated
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for
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advanced
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users.
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Linear
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or
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curved
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members,
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cables
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and
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post-tensioned
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tendons,
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link
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elements
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to
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model
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springs,
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dampers,
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isolators,
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and
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the associated
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nonlinear
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and
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...
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framing,
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shell
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or
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multi-layered
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shell,
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solid
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elements
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with
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isoperimetric
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formulation
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and
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nonlinear
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response
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are
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all
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modeling
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options
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for
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object
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assembly
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in
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SAP2000.
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When
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preferred
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structural
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members
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are
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not
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provided
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in
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the
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extensive
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libraries
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of
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SAP2000,
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Section
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Designer
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is
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available
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for
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custom
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cross-section
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design.
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Users
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specify
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geometry
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and
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material
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composition
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before
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Section
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Designer
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automatically
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calculates
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member
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properties
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and
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generates
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biaxial-interaction
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and
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moment-curvature
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diagrams.
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Nonlinear-fiber-hinge
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assignment
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is
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another
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advanced
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modeling
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technique
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available.
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SAP2000
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implements
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code-based
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or
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empirical
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hinging
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behavior
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by
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modeling
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geometry
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and
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materials
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as
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discrete
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points
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within
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a
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cross-section,
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then
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correlating
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these
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discretized
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areas
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with
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their
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associated
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nonlinear
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behaviors.
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Limit-state
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and
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hysteretic
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considerations
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may
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also
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be
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implemented
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under
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nonlinear-static
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and
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dynamic
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analyses.
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Once
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an
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object-based
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model
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is
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created,
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the
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SAPFire ® Analysis Engine automatically converts the assembly into a finite-element
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by
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meshing
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the
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material
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domain
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with an
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efficient
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network
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of
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quadrilateral
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sub
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-elements.
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Joint-interpolation
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algorithms
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drive
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automatic
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edge-constraint
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technology
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to
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connect
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mesh
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mismatch.
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The
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Reshaper
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Tool
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is
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then
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available
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for
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mesh
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reshaping
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and
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refinement.
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SAP2000
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is
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the
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ideal
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tool
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for
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modeling
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structural
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systems
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of
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any
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complexity
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and
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any
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project
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type.
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Buildings,
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bridges,
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transportation
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infrastructure,
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such
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specialty
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structures
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as
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dams,
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sports
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facilities,
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and
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offshore
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systems
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are
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a
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few
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examples
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of
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the
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limitless
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design
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possibilities.
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Loading
Powerful built-in
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templates
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also
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simplify
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and
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expedite
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the
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load-application
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process.
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Seismic,
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wind,
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vehicle,
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wave,
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and
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thermal
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forces
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may
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all
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be
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automatically
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generated
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and
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assigned
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according
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to
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a
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suite
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of
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code-based
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guidelines.
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Users
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are
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free
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to
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define
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and
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envelope
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an
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unlimited
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number
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of
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load
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cases
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and
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combinations.
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features
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and
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a
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library
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of
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AASHTO
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vehicle
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applications
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provide
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for
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evaluation
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of
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transportation
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infrastructure
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systems.
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For
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marine
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systems,
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wave-load-generation
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features
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consider
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the
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static
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and
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dynamic
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response
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of
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wave,
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current,
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buoyancy,
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and
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wind
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while
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capturing
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inertial
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effects.
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Enveloped
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load
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conditions
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may
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be
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coupled
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with
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certain
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advanced
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analysis
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and
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construction
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techniques
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(P-
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segmental
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construction,
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etc.)
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for
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additional
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insight
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into
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structural
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response.
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Analysis
A range of innovative analysis techniques are integrated into the capabilities of SAP2000. Users are free to supplement the standard yet sophisticated analysis process by implementing advanced features for nonlinear and dynamic consideration. This versatility makes SAP2000 a practical and productive tool for any analysis type ranging from simple static, linear-elastic to more complex dynamic, nonlinear-inelastic.
To begin, the SAPFire ® Analysis Engine drives analysis optimization with multiple 64-bit solvers. Options include Eigen analysis (with auto shifting for ill-conditioned relations) and Ritz analysis (for expedited convergence). P-delta effect captures geometric nonlinearity. Buckling analyses provide insight into structural stability through methods characterizing linear buckling (which considers multiple buckling modes under nonlinear-static or dynamic application), nonlinear buckling (which considers P-delta and large-deflection effects), snap-through buckling, and progressive collapse. Material nonlinearity capture inelastic and limit-state behavior, along with such time-dependent phenomena as creep and shrinkage behavior in reinforced-concrete systems. Plastic hinging may be specified in flexural members according to code-based standards or empirical data. Tension and compression-only springs may be assigned with limits and nonlinear attributes to simulate support plasticity.
Static and dynamic methods are available for earthquake simulation. Nonlinear-static-pushover analyses may consider modal, uniform, or user-defined lateral load patterns, plastic-hinging behavior of slender elements, inelastic response of shear walls, floor slabs, and steel plates, and then formulate demand-capacity, damping, and performance-point calculations with customizable summary reports.
Dynamic methods include response-spectrum (for likely maximum seismic response given pseudo-spectral acceleration vs. structural period curve), power-spectral-density and steady-state (for fatigue behavior with optional damping and complex-impedance properties), and time-history analyses. Time histories may follow modal or direct-integration methods, and they may be chained together and enveloped with such advanced analyses as P-delta and staged-construction procedures.
Staged-construction features are comprehensive. The construction sequence is scheduled with Gantt-chart options, enveloped with performance measures, and paired with analysis procedures. At each construction stage, evaluation may consider static or dynamic structural response, support reactions, geometric and material nonlinearity (including buckling, creep, and shrinkage), tendon and cable application with target-tensioning, etc. The Model Alive feature is available for small to medium-sized projects to analyze real or possible structural modifications.
Design, Output, and Interoperability
Design is fully integrated with the analysis process, enveloping results before automatically sizing steel members and designing reinforced-concrete sections. Automatic steel, concrete, aluminum and cold-formed-framing design code checks ensure that structures meet criteria of American, Canadian, and a variety of international standards.
Output and display options are intuitive and practical. Finalized member design, deformed geometry per load combination or mode shape, moment, shear, and axial-force diagrams, section-cut response displays, and animation of time-dependent displacements outline a few of the graphics available upon conclusion of analysis. SAP2000 automatically generates reports for the presentation of images and data. Built-in and customizable templates are available to users for specialized formatting.
SAP2000 also provides a suite of interoperability features. Output reports may be transferred to Microsoft platforms in RTF file format or websites in HTML. SAP2000 models may import and export between CIS/2 STEP, SDNF, AutoCAD, Frameworks Plus, IGES, and Prosteel.
The SAP2000 Open Application Programming Interface (OAPI) allows developers to create custom programming applications linking related design platforms to SAP2000 function. Visual Basic and most standard languages are supported. Visit the OAPI page of the CSI Website to learn more about interoperability with SAP2000.
Levels and Features
Several different levels of capability are offered for the SAP2000 product. Each subsequent level provides an additional set of features. Please refer to the Levels and Features page of the CSI Website for details.
SAP2000 Tutorials
Refer to the SAP2000 Tutorial page.
SAP2000 Test Problems
Refer to the SAP2000 Test Problems page.
References
Aviram, A., Mackie, K., Stojadinovic, B. (2008). Guidelines for Nonlinear Analysis of Bridge Structures in California. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) Center.