3D-SAP Model Guidelines

3D-SAP MODEL

1. Introduction:-

The main purpose of this presentation is to know how to make a 3D model of a building by SAP2000.

2. Steps:-

• AutoCAD DXF file

• Importing DXF file in SAP
• Defining sections
• Assigning sections
• Defining load cases
• Assigning loads

3. DXF File:-

i. Open the architectural drawing of the building in

AutoCAD and Make new layers for slabs, beams
and columns.
ii. Slab models in DXF by (3D face meshes) that divide slab to a lot of meshes because SAP works
by finite element concept and loads can
distribute only through joints.

a) Make sure that sap-shell is the current

layer and use the command of 3D Face as
shown or by shortcut (3f).
b) Draw anti clock wise in the right bottom
corner of the drawing a square (0.5x0.5).
c) Array this square to cover the slab area.
 d) Stretch the meshes to the edges of slabs
and stretch them on beams lines so loads
can transfer through joints of meshes on
beams.

iii. Beam models by line from the start to end of it.

a) Make sure that sap-frame is the current layer and then draw the line.
b) And it doesn’t matter for this line to be in the center line of the beam, every line between the
two sides of the beam could be a locus for the beam.
c) The most important thing is to be sure that the line didn’t pass through meshes as shown in
figure (3-c); the meshes must end on the beam so the loads can transfer from slab through
joints to beam.

Fig (3-c)
 iv. Column models by Single Point.

a) Make sure that sap-column is the

current layer.
b) Put a point as shown to represent a
column or by shortcut (po).
c) Every point in the column is a locus
for the column.
d) But be sure that the point that
represents the column located on
the point where the beams meet
each other as shown in figure (3-d).

v. Be sure that the every column located

on a mesh joint not in the middle of
mesh.
vi. Be sure that every beam didn’t pass
through meshes but it should be pass on
mesh joints.
vii. Be sure that every mesh meets the
Fig (3-d)
surrounding meshes in their joints, and
there is no overlap like figure (3-e),
but it should be like figure (3-f).
viii. Delete all layers except three Sap
layers, then move the drawing to the
origin point (0, 0, 0) like figure (3-g).
ix. Save the drawing as a DXF file so it
can be imported from SAP.
Fig (3-e) Fig (3-f)

Fig (3-g)
4. Importing DXF file in SAP:-

i. Open SAP2000 program, the most important thing have to be done before anything
is that to adjust the program units to be (Ton, m, C).
ii. Open (File _ import _ AutoCAD .dxf file…).

a) Input some information like the Global up Direction choose (Z).

b) Assign layers for columns, beams and slab as shown in figure
(4-a).
c) Then before doing anything because the columns points will be
already selected, open (Assign _ Joint _ Restraints) and assign
hinged supports as shown in figure (4-b).

iii. Adjusting grids in (Z) direction so we can do a 3D model.

Fig (4-a)

a) Right click on the middle of the program monitor and select (Edit
Grid Data…)then (modify /show system)
b) Defining Grid System Data table will be opened, adjust Z Grid Data
according to your building levels as shown in figure (4-c).

iv. Making the others levels.

Fig (4-b)
a) If the levels plans are different, we’ll make a
DXF file for every plan, and importing the last
level first then move it to its level and so with the
others levels, because SAP importing the DXF
file to Zero level.
Fig (4-c)
b) But if the levels are similar, we replicate the
ground level to the other levels by select it and open (Edit) list
then (Replicate), then input data as shown in figure (4-d).

v. In 3D model columns must be assigned as frame section by

Fig (4-d)
extruding supports point to frame.

a) To select the columns points, open (Select _ Assignments _

Joint Supports...) then (OK), so every points will extrude by its level height to be a column.
 b) To extrude these points to be columns, open (Edit _ Extrude _
Extrude Points to Frames).
c) Table like in figure (4-e) will be opened, input (dz) in minus so we
can make the bedroom level column and put the supports.

vi. Assigning the columns supports

Fig (4-e)
a) Select all the joint restraints as shown before and assign them
restraint free.
b) View (XY-plan) for the foundation level at (Z= -3) and open
window like in figure (4-f) and assign these points as hinged restraints.

vii. 3D model will be like that as shown in figure (4-g).

Fig (4-f)

Fig (4-g)

5. Defining sections:-

i. Define slab section.

a) Open (Define _ Section Properties _ Area Sections) then click to add

new section.
b) Shell Section Data window will be opened as shown in figure (5-a).
c) Enter the Section name, and the slab Thickness fill membrane and
bending cells.
d) Choose color for this slab to can be characterized between the other
slabs.

Fig (5-a)
ii. Define column section.

a) Open (Define _ Section Properties _ Frame Sections) then click to

add new property.
b) Add Frame Section Property window will be opened, select
property type “Concrete” and Rectangular section. Fig (5-b)
Fig (5-b)
c) Rectangular section window will be opened as shown in figure
(5-b), fill section name and section dimension Depth and Width.

iii. Define Beam section.

a) SAP uses finite element concept in Fig (6-b)

analysis, so the inertia of section is the B2
B1
most important factor in analysis.
b) So if beam (B1) is defined as a rectangular
section, the inertia of it will be smaller
than the real inertia because it’ll work as a
rectangular section not Tee section as
supposed, and bending moment result will
be smaller than the real moment, so if it’s
designed according to this moment, it’ll be
wrong .
c) But it can’t be defined as Tee section
because if it’s defined as Tee section, the
weight of the flange will be double on beam
once from the slab and the other from beam
flange.
d) So beam (B1) and (B2) will be defined as
rectangular sections, but the inertia about
(3-3) will be modified to equal the inertia of
Tee section and L section respectively.
e) So we’ll define Tee and L sections of the beam
according to the conditions shown in figure (6-b)
hb =
just to know their inertia to get the modifiers that the B=
b=
rectangular sections will be modified by it. ts=
f) Open (Define _ Section properties _ Frame Section) and (Add New Property), then Select
property type (Steel _ Tee Section).
g) Input the dimensions of the beam Tee section as
shown in figure (5-c).
Fig (5-c)
h) Click on (Section Properties) to know the
moment of Inertia about 3 axis, so rectangular
section can be modified by it.
i) Open (Define _ Section properties _ Frame
Section) and (Add New Property), then Select
property type (Concrete _ Rectangular Section).
j) Input the dimension of the beam rectangular section as shown in figure (5-d), click on section
properties to know the moment of inertia about 3 axis.
k) Divide inertia of Tee over the inertia of Rectangular to get
the modifier, and then click on (Set Modifiers).

Fig (5-d)

Fig (5-e)

l) Stiffness modification factors window will appear

like figure (5-e) and all factors by default equal
(1), just moment of inertia about 3 axis will be
modified.
m) In two way slab load distributes on slab in the
short and long direction by factors α , β and the total of their values equals ( 0.7 ) according to
ECP 203, and the remaining 0.3 of load loss in torsion on beam and in corner effect, so
modify the Torsional Constant to equal( 0.2 ) as shown in figure (5-e).
n) Define L section and modify the stiffness of the rectangular section for edge beams as before
with Tee section.
6. Assigning sections:-

i. Assign slab section

a) Select the slab you want to define to be (S20) as example

like figure (6-a).
b) Open (Assign _ Area _ Sections…) or the icon in the
toolbar that shown above, and select section (S20) and
click (OK).
c) Select the other slab like shown in figure (6-c), and then Fig (6-a)
assign its section as before, but select section (S16) and click (OK).

Fig (6-b)
Fig (6-c)

d) To recognize slab by colors click on this icon in toolbar, and

then choose (View by colors of _ Sections) as
shown in figure (6-d).
e) Do these steps in every level of the
model.

Fig (6-d)
ii. Assign beam section

a) Select the edge beams like figure (6-e) to be assigned as {B (60x25) L}.
b) Open (Assign _ Frame _Frame Sections…) or use the icon in the toolbar that shown above
and select section {B (60x25) L} and click OK as shown in figure (6-f).

Fig (6-f) Fig (6-e)

c) Select the beams that represent as a Tee section as shown in figure (6-g) to be assigned as {B
(60x25) T}, and then assign them as before, but select the section {B (60x25) T}.
d) Do these steps for all the beams in every level of the model.
e) The 3D model will be like figure (6-i).
iii. Assigning columns section

a) By using this icon in the 3D view select all columns as

shown in figure (6-j).
b) Open (Assign _ Frame _Frame Section…)
and select the section (C 50x25).

Fig (6-j)
7. Define Loads :-

i. Define load cases.

a) Open (Define _ Load Patterns…), or use the icon in the toolbar that shown above.
b) Window like figure (7-a) will be shown.

Fig (7-a)

Fig (7-b)

c) Enter the name of the load case in (Load Pattern Name), select the type and (self weight
Multiplier) will equal (1) only in (Own.Wt.) case to take the weights of the concrete sections
in the calculation, click to (Modify Load Pattern) as shown in figure (7-b).

Fig (7-c)

d) Add the other load cases as shown in figure (7-c), click to (Add New Load Pattern).
ii. Define Load combination

a) Open (Define _ Load Combinations…), or use the icon in the toolbar that shown above and
click to (Add New Combo…).
b) Enter the load cases and their factors as shown in figure (7-e).

Fig (7-d)

Fig (7-e)
8. Assigning Loads :-

i. Assign Dead Load

a) There is no need to assign the Own Wt.

load case because the program will
calculate the own weight by itself.
b) Assign F.C load case, view the model in
the 3d and select the entire model.
c) Open (Assign _ Area Loads _ Uniform
(Shell)…), or use this icon from the tool
bar.
Fig (8-a)
d) Select the load case name (F.C), put the load value as shown in
figure (8-a) and be sure that the direction is Gravity.

e) Assign Wall load case as distributed load on beams, so select the entire model as before.
f) Open (Assign _ Frame Loads _ Distributed…), or click on this icon in

the toolbar.
g) Select the load case name (Wall), put the load value in
the (Uniform Load) as shown in figure (8-b) and be sure
that the direction is Gravity.

ii. Assign Live Load.

a) Assign live load as area uniform load on shell.

b) Open (Assign _ Area Loads _ Uniform (Shell)…),
select the entire model and assign the live load as shown Fig (8-b)
in figure (8-c).
9. Finalizing :-

i. Release beams end moments

a) SAP analyze beam like figure (9-a), and the bending moment is suspended at the end of beam
from fixity negative moment not from zero as the ECP-203 recommendation, and the bending
moment will be smaller than what should be.

Fig (9-a)

b) So release Moment 3-3 at the start and the end of the beam to be like this as shown in figure
(9-b).

Fig (9-b)

c) Select beams and open (Assign _ Frame _ Release/Partial Fixity…) or click on this icon in
the toolbar.
ii. Release the bathroom slab moment

a) Bathroom slab has a different level so it’ll

be analyzed as a simple beam if its top Different level slab
reinforcement stops with the beam as shown
in figure (9-d).
b) But it may be analyzed as a continuous
beam if its top reinforcement continues in
the next slab as shown in figure (9-e), but
this joint detail isn’t recommended because
it’s difficult. Fig (9-c)

Fig (9-d) Fig (9-e)

c) So to be analyzed as a simple beam, select the vertical edge shells as shown in figure (9-f).
d) Open (Assign _ Area _ Area Stiffness Modifiers…), and modify (Bending m11 Modifier) to
equal zero as shown on figure (9-g).

Fig (9-f)

Fig (9-g)

e) Select the horizontal shells as shown in figure (9-h).

f) Open (Assign _ Area _ Area Stiffness Modifiers…), and modify
(Bending m22 Modifier) to equal zero as shown on figure (9-i).

Fig (9-h)

Fig (9-i)
iii. Assign Body Constraint

a) Column like in figure (9-j) has two beam connected with it in

two different points.
b) So these two points should have the same degree of freedom.
c) Select the two points like figure (9-k), and open (Assign _
Joints _ Constraints…) and Add New Body as shown in
figure (9-L).
d) `Do these steps in every level in the entire model with a
different body constraint every time.
Fig (9-j)

Fig (9-L) Fig (9-k)