Structural Modeling: An essential skill for engineers
Deborah Brisbin, P.E.
Structural Modeling
Why is Structural Modeling an important part of the design process?
Structural Model must match as-built framing configuration & loading Interdisciplinary models must contain relevant information
Common Pitfalls in Structural Software Modeling:
Black Box Garbage In Garbage Out
Structural Modeling
What percentage of your design work uses software?
25% 50% 75% 90%
Structural Modeling
Important things to remember about Structural Modeling
Computer programs do not have engineering judgment Non-experienced engineers do not have a feel for how the structure will behave Every person in your office cant know all aspects of your software Establish what information you want to transfer to your partners before starting your design
Physical Members
How do you model continuous girders, truss chords & continuous columns?
Physical Members
Option 1: Individual Members
Option 2: Physical Member
How do Options 1 & 2 effect your design?
K factors RISA can automatically y calculate this factor for y you.
Calculated K values are based on the on the member's sway condition and end release configuration.
How do Options 1 & 2 effect your design?
K factors What are the end conditions for each segment vs. the entire member? Both Columns Pinned- Pinned K Factors K-Factors
How do Options 1 & 2 effect your design?
Unbraced Length The default member length is the full length of the member member. RISA can automatically calculate the brace pointsSegment Segment Or manually enter your unbraced length
Unbraced Length
Double-click Double click on the member to get the Design tab information
Column type buckling about the member local axis Flange buckling due to flexure relative to the top & bottom of the member
Unbraced Length
How does Unbraced Length effect your results? Axial Design Results KL r Bending Design Results - Is the top or bottom of the member braced for bending? - How do you tell the top from the bottom of the member? The top of the member is in the direction of the positive y axis
Unbraced Length
How do local axes affect the Unbraced length? How is the top and bottom of the member determined? How are the weak and the strong axis related to the local coordinates? When you rotate the member how does this affect the results?
Rotate: 0
RISA-3D: Rotate: 90
Other Software: Rotate: 90
Unbraced Length
How do connection types effect unbraced lengths?
Top Flange: Bottom Flange: Weak Axis: Strong Axis:
No No Yes No
Top Flange: Bottom Flange: Weak Axis: Strong Axis:
Yes No Yes No
Top Flange: Bottom Flange: Weak Axis: Strong Axis:
Yes Yes Yes No
Unbraced Length
How does construction type effect Unbraced length?
Top Flange: Bottom Flange: Weak Axis: Strong Axis:
Yes No Yes? No
Top Flange: Bottom Flange: Weak Axis: Strong Axis:
Yes/No No No No
Plate Modeling
What are the Rules of Thumb for plate modeling? Rule 1: Plate Size Quadrilateral Elements length: width < 9 thickness : length < 3
Triangular Elements length: width < 9 < 135 (90 +45 )
Plate Modeling
Rule 2: Plate Connectivity Plates can only transfer forces at their corner nodes
Transition meshing is important for proper load transfer
Plate Modeling
Rule 3: Mesh Size Decreased mesh size needs to be uniform
Original Mesh Size 1x2 2x2 1x3 2x3 New Mesh Size 2x4 4x4 2x6 4x6
Rule of 10% There should be less than 10% difference between results for each mesh iteration.
Plate Modeling
Rule 3: Mesh Size
Plate Modeling
Rule 3: Mesh Size
Plate Force Contours There should be 3 or fewer contour changes in each plate
Plate Modeling
Plate Results
What are the Rules of Thumb for reviewing plate results? Rule 1: Know the Plate Local Axes Are the forces displayed in the Plate Local Axes or the Global Axes?
Plate Results
Rule 2: Know how the Forces are displayed On a per unit length basis? Total forces on the plate? p
Plate Results
Rule 3: Know what tools are available to simplify reading Plate results Automatic meshing Force and/or design strips Display forces along a user defined line
Understand your Results
Make sure your results make Sense Check your Deflected Shape Check your Joint Reactions Total Loads = Total Reactions Understand the Code Check
Integration
What other software will you need to integrate with?
BIM CAD Steel Detailing Plant Design Systems
What format will you be using to integrate?
Direct links via an API DXF CIS/2 IFC
Integration
What information does your software transfer?
Geometry Sizes Materials Loads End Reactions
What information is vital to correctly transfer information?
Member Offsets: Top of Steel or Centerline? Brace Points: Model vs Construction Modeling Simplifications
Integration
Analytical Assumption
Integration
Modeling Assumption
Integration
Integration
Who needs to know about these modeling assumptions?
Detailer? Fabricator? Contractor?
Communication is VITAL to the design process!
When transferring electronic files you MUST communicate with your partners about your modeling assumptions
Structural Modeling
How can you apply these theories to your office?
Assign a champion for each software program you use Attend training specifically for your software Create a list of modeling g rules for y your office Establish what information youd like to transfer to your partners Utilize your software support with questions about modeling
Structural Modeling
Questions?
Please let us know if you have questions.
We will answer as many questions as time permits during the webinar.
Once the webinar is closed, we will post all Q&As to our website: [Link]
For further information, contact us at: info@[Link]
