Is it worth to start from zero to learn Rhinos just to export a model to Sap2000

[juandavidguzman]

I have to calculate and design the reinforcement of a concrete shell structure like this one:

So i was advice to use Rhinos for making a mesh surface and then analyze it in Sap2000 (even though i do prefer Staad.Pro i can get my hands to work on Sap2000).

I'm worried to get into a rabbit hole just to make this surface and i don't have too much time to waste for this project.

what do you think? is it worth to model the structure in Rhinos and then analyze it in Sap2000 or Staad?

 

[JoshPlumSE]

Is this structure really going to have a lot of two-way bending? It's tough to tell from the picture.

It looks like you MIGHT be able to get away with modeling a 1 ft strip (using beam elements). Even if you do have some two way bending, you can "envelope" the main direction bending with a series of 1 ft strip models. Then add in Temp / Shrinkage in the other direction with maybe a little extra to account for any secondary direction bending you might have.