Modeling issues in SAP2000

[Usman3301]

This structure is made up of Granite stones only. I haven't modeled a "Solid model" before, I have been trying to model this structure for past few days but have been unable to model it. Problems I am facing are following:

1- In SAP2000 which section property should I use for modelling this structure? Should I consider a wall section or slab section?

2- Should I opt for some other software instead of SAP2000?

3- How can I model the tapering of the structure in software?

After getting fed up using SAP2000 for modelling, I tried ETABS for modelling base of the structure but the structure didn't read any object and this is the error displayed
Link

But when I modeled the base in SAP2000, this was what I got
Link
I have to submit this model by Monday and it's last deadline, so any sort of help regarding modelling of this structure would be highly appreciated.

Let me know if you have want more information concerning this structure.

Thanks.

 

[Erik Panos Kostson]

I am not familiar with SAP2000 - except that we can import from a SAP2000 format (Strand7).

Not sure how you will go about modelling/meshing 3D geometries (with 3D element) in SAP2000 - I would suggest that you send this to their support and ask how you would go about meshing this.

Perhaps also someone else might have some more ideas - also try the structural eng. forum which is very active and where people might be using SAP2000.

https://www.eng-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=507

 

[ThomasH]

Usman3301
Have you found any help somewhere?

Based on the figure you attached it seems to be a fairly high structure. That leads me to a couple of questions.

What is the purpose and scope of this analysis? Analyzing the full structure within the available timeframe seems a bit tough. But based on the figures you enclosed, perhaps only the fundation is in your scope of work.
When you say you have to submit the model by monday, what happens afterwards?

When you say "Granite stones only", does that mean blocks of granite to build the "tower"? Since there seem to be openings in the facade I assume that there is an open space within the structure.

I won't claim to know SAP2000 but I have "met" the software. I think you are doing things backwards, whwn you ask if you should use plate or wall section. What properties do you need to simulate the behaviour in the structure? That should decide the choice of elements. But I would also consider the time available and the purpose of the analysis. The loading can also be a deciding factor, wind only or together with seismic load?

The structure reminds me of the Washinton Monument, and that was designed before we had computers .

Good Luck

Thomas

 

[dozer]

Usman3301, whoever set that deadline pretty much set you up to fail. For something like this you need a solid modeler like Inventor, Solidedge, or Solidworks. Then an FEA program that will read the file it creates. Just to illustrate, I made a rough approximation of your model in Inventor. Then I meshed it using Inventor Nastran which is embedded in Inventor (if you pay extra money.) When I say, "I meshed it . . .", I mean I hit a button that says "Create mesh".

I don't know anything about using granite for construction but I assume these are granite blocks. Are they adhered to each other somehow or do you just let gravity and friction do its thing? If the latter, this would be very tricky to model because you couldn't allow any tension normal to joint.

 

[Rahul Leslie]

@Usman3301, could you upload the ".S2K" file of the model you have modeled in SAP2000? ("file > export > .S2K file", I suppose)

 

[ThomasH]

It seems that Usman3301 has left the discussion.

dozer,
I am just guessing here but I think your model is wrong. It seems that you have assumed a solid structure and my impression is that it is hollow. There is a staircase at the base and an opening, also something that can be a window near the top. But I may have misunderstood .

There is also a question of purpose for the analysis? I would not be surprised if this could be done "by hand" in a few hours.

Thomas

 

[dozer]

Thomas, this was just a quick and dirty model to show Usman3301 another way to go about it. I see the door and window and stairs so, yes, I do assume it's hollow.

 

[ThomasH]

dozer

OK, I understand. I think it would be interresting to know how things worked out in the end. Hopefully Usman311 found a reasonable solution to his project.

Thomas

 

[IRstuff]

SAP questions have a separate forum: forum801

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

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