SAP2000 vs ETABS

[strucengr]

We have a couple of airport control towers to be analyzed. They might be either precast concrete, concrete shearwall or steel moment/braced frames from 90 to 150 feet in height and a small footprint of a few hundred square foot. There will not be regular floors in between except a flexible stair or elevator core.

Which would be a suitable software - ETABS or SAP2000? I know SAP200 is quite advanced to do this kind of project but ETABS might be useful for future regular building projects. Instead of shelling our a few grand for both, can we get by with just one software.
1.My main question is if ETABS can handle such a project.
2. If ETABS is used, what are its limitations on such a structure?
3. I believe the analysis engine is the same for both.
4. Is ETABS more dependent of story heights?
5. What would be the limitations in SAP, if any?

Thank you and I appreciate your response.

 

[amadeus]

I would recommend you to use ETABS. For the project you are describing both programs will do de same job. The difference is that ETABS will design shear walls if you decide to use them while SAP won't. Otherwise the use and result of both programs will be identical.

Amadeus