Creating a circular area

[wasab1]

I've just started using SAP2000 (v14). I've successfully created rectangular areas without much issue, but haven't been able to create a circular one.

I've tried using the New Model > Grid Only > Cylindrical to define the points along the perimeter of my area, and then the Draw Poly Area tool to create my area. However, when creating the Analysis Model, it fails.

I've tried using the New Model > Flat Slab, but that only seems to be used for rectangular slabs.

I've tried using the New Model > Pipes and Plates > Circular Plate and that one actually worked best. I successfully created a circular area, but the meshing is terrible around the edges. And I actually need to apply some nodal forces near (not on) the edges, so this is a problem. I tried using the New Model > Pipes and Plates > Circular Plate > Circular Hole to create the mesh in parts, but then the meshes of the different parts don't match up.

How can this be done?

 

[canwesteng]

You could delete the inner rectangles of the outer plate and replace with hand drawn triangles or poly areas connecting the nodes. That's what I would do anyway

 

[stressed]

When you say that your model "fails" when drawing based on cylindrical grids, that's not enough information for anyone to be able to help you. Cylindrical grids should work fine. If your model isn't working, it's not because of the use of grids. What are you trying to model?

Attached is a screenshot of a circular area model that I created in about 90 seconds using cylindrical grids. Define a radius with the initial grid screen, then edit the grids to add Radius "rings". Double-click gridlines to modify/add grids.

Also, the CSI knowledge base has this tutorial for creating circular openings

https://wiki.csiamerica.com/display/tutorials/Create+circular+openings