tutorial manual safi

Tutorial ManualSAFI 5.6for Windows 95/98/NT

SAFI Quality Software Inc.


Tutorial ManualSAFI 5.6for Windows 95/98/NT

SAFI Quality Software Inc.3393, chemin Ste-FoySte-Foy, QubecCanada, G1X 1S7

Tel.: (418) 654-9454Fax: (418) 653-9475

Internet Site: http://www.safi.comE-mail: [email protected]


CopyrightInformation contained in this document may be changed without notice. It is illegal toreproduce any part of this book without authorization from SAFI Quality Software Inc. Allreproduction of this publication, by whatever means, will be considered as a violation of thecopyright laws.

2000 SAFI Quality Software Inc. All rights reserved.

Microsoft, MS, Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of the MicrosoftCorporation.

SentinelSuperPro, Rainbow Sentinel Driver are registered trademarks of RainbowTechnologies.


Table of ContentsInstallation 1.1

System Requirements 1.1Demo Version Limitations 1.2Installation of SAFI 1.2Launching SAFI 1.2

Getting Started 2.1Starting SAFI 2.1SAFI Screen Description 2.1Using Help 2.4Using Sample Files 2.4

Exploring the Tutorial File 3.1Description 3.1Opening the File 3.1Running the Analysis 3.1Checking Results 3.2Printing the Report 3.7

Creating the Model 4.1Description 4.1Creating the Project 4.1Creating the Geometry 4.2Assigning Support Conditions 4.9Assigning Section Shapes 4.10Assigning Loads 4.13Verifying Input Data 4.21

Analysis and Results 5.1Running the Analysis 5.1Checking Results 5.2Printing the Report 5.7

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iv


Chapter 1

Installation

System RequirementsTo use SAFI 5.6, you will need the following:

IBM PC compatible (Pentium recommended) Screen resolution: Super VGA (800x600), 256 colors 32 Mb RAM (64 Mb recommended) 30-60 Mb disk space for a typical installation Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000 or Windows NT 4.0. Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device

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1.2

Demo Version LimitationsThis demo version has the following limitations:

50 members (including FE plates). 50nodes. 2D/3D Static analysis onlyNote that these limitations concern the analysis of the model, there is no limitations regardingthe model size that can be created. However, any model exceeding these limits will not besaved.

Installation of SAFIThe installation of SAFI is made from the Setup program which is found in the main directoryof the CD-ROM. The installation process is launched automatically when the CD is insertedin the CD-ROM drive. Once started, the installation program asks a few questions beforeinstalling the program on your hard disk. When the installation is completed, the computermust be restarted.

If the demo version is downloaded from the SAFI web page, the self-extracting package mustfirst be uncompressed to a temporary folder first.

Launching SAFIAfter the installation is completed, the SAFI icon will be available from the Windows Start -Programs menu. To start SAFI, choose the SAFI Demo icon from this sub-menu.


Chapter 2

Getting Started

Starting SAFIStarting SAFI with Windows 95/98/NTTo open SAFI and simultaneously open a document, double click on the filename inside theExplorer program or File Manager.

When SAFI is started from the Start menu, the following dialog box appears which ask theuser to create a new file or open an existing file.

If the New File option is selected, the starting parameters (name and location) of the file areasked by SAFI.

SAFI Screen DescriptionMain WindowOnce the user has created a new file, a white page with a default grid appears on the screen asshown below.

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2.2

ToolbarsWith the mouse, you may use the toolbars to rapidly access the most common commands. Atstartup, the Main toolbar is visible.

Viewing or Hiding the toolbarsYou may view or hide the toolbars according to the tasks which are accomplished. Forexample, when editing the structure, the Results toolbar may be hidden.

Getting Started


2.3

If at least one toolbar is visible, the user may use a menu shortcut to view or hide the toolbars.To do so, click on the toolbar with the right button of the mouse.

If there is no toolbar visible, choose the Toolbars command from the View menu to displaythe toolbars list.

Moving or Resizing the Toolbars

The Main toolbar is normally anchored under the menus. The user may view other toolbars,which may be anchored or floating within the window space. To move a floating toolbar, clickon its caption and drag it while keeping the left button of the mouse pressed. You may dock afloating toolbar by moving it on the sides of the main window or by double clicking on it.

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2.4

Status BarThe status bar in the inferior part of the SAFI window supplies information on the activedocument. Pertinent information on the current actions is also displayed.

Viewing or Hiding the Status BarThe status bar is visible by default. To hide the status bar, choose the Status Bar option in theView menu.

Using HelpOn-line help allows to obtain pertinent information on the SAFI program commands. Theuser may use the Summary, Index or the Search command to rapidly obtain the desired help.

Context HelpTo find information on an item on the screen, use the help button . Once a question mark isadded to the mouse pointer, choose a command or click on the item from the window forwhich help is needed. SAFI will display help on the chosen object.

When in a dialog box, choose the Help key or press F1 to view a description of each of theoptions in the dialog box.

Using Sample FilesThe demo version is shipped with a sample file named TUTORIAL01.STR which can be foundin the WORKING sub-directory.


Chapter 3

Exploring the Tutorial File

DescriptionThis chapter explains how to perform the analysis and view the results for the four-story two-dimensional frame contained in the tutorial file (Tutorial01.str). For a step-by-stepexplanation of the creation of this model, please refer to chapter 4 Creating the Model.

Opening the FileClick on the Open command from the File menu or the Open button from the Maintoolbar . Select the file named Tutorial01 in the list and click on the Open button.

Running the AnalysisWe are now ready to perform the static analysis of the frame structure generated in theprevious chapter. All analysis, verification and design features are concentrated at the sameplace to simplify the solution operations. To display the analysis manager, select the Solutioncommand from the Analysis menu. The Solution command is also accessible from the Maintoolbar ( ) or by shortcut keys (F12).

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3.2

The available analysis and design options available depend on the modules activated. For thedemo version, the only available analysis is a static linear analysis.

To perform the static analysis, click on the Run button.

Checking ResultsOnce you have analyzed the model successfully, you need to check that the output is correctand corresponds to what you expected.

The commands for viewing the results are accessible from the Analysis menu or the ResultsBar which can be displayed by the View/Hide Results Bar command from the Analysismenu ( ).

Using the Tutorial File


3.3

The Results bar contains six sections each containing three to fourbuttons. Each section (Static, Frequencies, Dynamic, etc.) allows to viewthe results for a specific analysis. The button allows to define theresults which will be shown for the entire structure (or the visible part ifthe View/Hide Selection command is activated). The checkbox at the leftof this button allows to toggle the display of these results on and off.

The button allows to view the numerical results in tables. Somefilters may be applied to these results to reduce the quantity of resultsdisplayed and ease their interpretation. When this button is clicked, amenu showing the available results is displayed.

The button allows to view the results by means of charts andcorresponding tables. These charts may be customized, printed or pastedin other applications. When this button is clicked, a menu showing theavailable results is displayed. Only the results which can be plotted areavailable here.

As the only analysis type allowed in the demo version is a static analysis, only the generalcommands in the Analysis section of the results bar are useful. The button allows todetermine which results of the static analysis should be presented graphically.

First of all, display the internal deformations. Click on the Static button on the Results Bar toopen the static results dialog box.

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3.4

Check the Internal option in the Deformations section and click OK. Next, check the boxbesides the Static button on the Results Bar. You should now see the internal deformationson screen.

In the same way, you can see the bending moments and support reactions.

SAFI provides additional tools for visualizing the analysis results. The numerical results maybe viewed in tables for the entire structure or a part of it. From the Results Bar, click on the

button in the Analysis section. When the button is clicked, a menu is displayed inwhich you may select the results to be shown.



3.5

Select the Joint Displacements command from this menu. When this command is selected,some additional information are asked

Select All Structure in the Elements list and All Load Combinations in the LoadCombinations list and then click on the OK button.

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3.6

Some analysis results may be viewed by means of charts. . From the Results Bar, click on the

button in the Analysis section. When the button is clicked, a menu is displayed inwhich you may select the results to be shown. This menu contains only the results which canbe plotted.

Select from the menu the Internal Beam Forces command. Once the command is activated,click on the beam located on the right part of the last floor of the structure. A dialog box willbe displayed showing the internal forces for this beam. In the Diagram list, select Moment Zto view the bending moment distribution.



3.7

When the mouse pointer is moved over the diagram, the numerical results are highlighted inthe table for the given position on the beam. The buttons on the right part of the dialog boxallows to customize the chart, to print the table, to print the chart or to copy the chart to theclipboard for using in an external application such as a word processor. This chart is copied asa vectorial image so it can be scaled and edited without any loss of precision.

Printing the ReportAfter the analysis is performed and the overall results checked, the analysis report can begenerated. The report manager is implemented in an easy to use fashion and allows to fullycustomize the output. To open the report manager, select the Generate Report commandfrom the Analysis menu. This command is also accessible from the Main toolbar ( ).

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3.8

The report manager is composed of nine tabs (only two in the demo version), the GeneralInputs tab for the input data, the Analysis tab for the analysis results and seven other tabs forthe application specific input and results.

The first tab is separated in two parts. The top section is a hierarchical list of parameters thatcan be included or excluded from the report by checking or unchecking the appropriatebranch. The and markers allow to respectively expand or collapse the branches of thelist. If the base of a branch is unchecked (excluded), all items within that branch areautomatically excluded. For example, in the figure below, the material properties, the sectionproperties, the members and releases and the joints and supports are included as generalparameters. The concentrated and uniform loads are included as well with the loadcombinations. All input related to the seismic and dynamic analysis are excluded (the basebranch is excluded).

The bottom part of the General Inputs tab allows to specify for which range of joints,members, load combinations basic loads and time (for seismic and dynamic analysis) the inputdata will be printed.

The Analysis tab is composed of a hierarchical list only. This list works exactly like thehierarchical list of the General Inputs tab.



3.9

When the desired options are set, click on the Generate button. At this time, a filename forthe report is requested. Enter a name for the file and click Save. After the report is generated,it is automatically displayed. Four file formats are available, SAFI Report, Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Access and ASCII Report (unformatted text).


Chapter 4

Creating the Model

DescriptionThis tutorial describes the modeling and analysis of a four-story two-dimensional framestructure with two bays subjected to static and dynamic loads. This structure will be usedthroughout this document to demonstrate the different operations required to operate SAFI.

The model floors heights are 3m. and the bays are 5m wide.

Creating the Project1. To create a new file once SAFI is started, use the New command from the File menu.2. After the name and the file location are chosen, press the Save button.3. The General Options dialog box will then be displayed. There, you can adjust the general

parameters of the project which may be modified at any time.

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4.2

Creating the Geometry

Editing the Construction Lines

The first thing to do is to define a grid that will correspond to the specifications of the modelyou wish to create.

To define the grid, select the Grid Options command from the View menu or click on thegrid button from the Edition toolbar ( ).

SAFI allows multiple grids to be visible at the same time, a grid that is marked with a check inthe list will be visible on screen and activated for the edition of the geometry. Select thedefault grid from the list (XY Grid) and click on the Edit button. The parameters for the XYGrid are then displayed.

Creating the Model


4.3

Modify the grid parameters as required by the model. Three construction lines are required inthe global X direction evenly spaced at 5000mm. In the global Y direction, five constructionlines are required with a spacing of 3000mm. The construction lines in SAFI are veryversatile and customizable, for the purpose of this simple example, the only parameters thatneeds to be modified are the parameters located in the Construction Lines (X) andConstruction Lines (Y) sections. Modify these parameters as shown below. The two Tablebuttons allow to customize the parameters of the construction lines along the two directionsof the grid plane.

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4.4

When this is done, click on the Set button and the on the Close button. Back to the GridOptions dialog box, make sure the XY Grid is checked and click the Close button.

This new grid is smaller than the previous one. To ease the visualization, enlarge the viewwith the Reset Camera command located in the Camera sub-menu of the View menu (thecamera commands are also accessible from the Camera toolbar ).

Creating the Model


4.5

Editing the geometry

After the grid is properly defined, the geometry can be generated rapidly. The model can begenerated in three different ways according to your working methods and preferences. Theeasiest way is to use the graphical editing features. The model can also be generated by meansof tables.

It is possible to create the members one at a time or to create an array of members. These twomethods are demonstrated below.

First, create each of the three columns at the base of the structure. Activate the Add membercommand from the Member sub-menu of the Edit menu (this command is also accessiblefrom the Edition toolbar ).

Click on the grid point located at the coordinate (0, 0) as shown above and release the mousebutton. Then, move the mouse over the grid point above the first (coordinate 0, 3000) andclick on that point.

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4.6

First step

Second step

Creating the Model


4.7

Repeat the same operation for the two other base columns.

The remaining members of the model can be generated all at once using the grid layout. Stillwith the Add member active, click and maintain the mouse button pressed on a point to theleft and a little above the highest grid point. Next, drag the mouse pointer to a point at theright and a little below the grid point located at the coordinate (10000, 3000) and release themouse button.

First step

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4.8

Second step

The model geometry should be as follows:

Creating the Model


4.9

The method shown above is also valid for joints and finite element plates.

Assigning Support ConditionsTo assign supports or any other attributes like sections, loads, imposed displacements, etc.,you must first select the objects to which the attributes will be assigned. In this example, thesupport conditions will be assigned to the three joints at the base of the structure.

To select these joints, activate the Select command from the Selection sub-menu of the Editmenu (this command is also accessible from the Edition toolbar ). Click with the leftbutton of the mouse on each joint while holding the SHIFT key pressed. It is also possible toselect the three joints in one step by making a window around them like in the figure below.To do so, click at the left and below the leftmost joint, then drag the mouse pointer whilemaintaining the mouse button pressed to the right and above the rightmost base joint. Whenthe window surrounds the three base joints, release the button.

When the selection is completed, the supports conditions may be assigned to the joints. Selectthe Attributes command from the Joints sub-menu of the Edit menu or the Joint Attributesbutton on the Edition toolbar ( ). The following dialog box will be displayed on screen.

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4.10

Click on the Fixed button to assign fixed support conditions to the selected joints.Alternatively, you may check the Movement Restrained... options on by one.

The model should now look like this:

Assigning Section ShapesIn a real model, the section assigned to the columns would be different than the sectionassigned to the beams. For the purpose of the example and to simplify the example, a single

Creating the Model


4.11

W360X110 will be assigned to all the members of the model. To select the entire model, clickthe Select All command from the Selection sub-menu of the Edit menu (this command is alsoaccessible from the Edition toolbar ).

Once all the members are selected, click the Attributes command from the Member sub-menu of the Edit menu (this command is also accessible from the Edition toolbar ( ).

For now, no sections are defined. To define a new standard section, click on the button atthe upper right of the section list. In the menu that will appear, select the Standard Sectionscommand.

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4.12

The dialog box displayed allows to insert a standard or predefined non-standard section shapein the database. The default material (STEEL) is a default G40.21M-350W steel. Select theW360X110 section in the Section designation list. Then, click on the Add button and then onthe Close button to close the dialog box. Back in the Member Attributes dialog box, selectthis section in the section list.

Creating the Model


4.13

Make sure the Change Section Shape option is checked and click on the OK to assign it tothe members of the structure. The button allows to display the dimensions and propertiesof the section selected in the list.

Assigning LoadsIn this example, each beam is subjected to a uniform load of 30 kN/m in the negative Ydirection and a concentrated load of 100 kN in the negative Y direction at the middle of thebeam.

Before creating the loads, the members to which these loads will be applied must be selected.Select the beam of the first floor following the method explained earlier.

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4.14

To add other members to the current selection (first floor of the structure), select them thesame way as above while holding the SHIFT key of the keyboard (the selection cursor will bedisplayed with a + sign to show that the next selection will be appended to the current).

Creating the Model


4.15

Repeat this last operation for the two remaining floors.

To assign the loads to the selected beams. Click the Loads command from the Attributessub-menu of the Edit menu (this command is also accessible from the Edition toolbar ).

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4.16

Each tab of this dialog box is divided into two sections. The section at the top is common toall tabs, it allows to select the basic load into which the new loads will be added. The secondsection allows to define the various parameters required to define a load. A basic load is agroup of loads of a given type (static loads, dynamic loads, etc.) which are used to create theload combinations. No basic load is defined yet, to assign any load to the structure, a basicload is required. Click on the Basic Load button ( ).

For this example, all the loads will be created in the same basic load. Enter a name for thebasic load (for example: All Loads). Next, select the type of loads this basic load will contain(select General Static Load).

Creating the Model


4.17

Click the OK button to return to the Assign Loads dialog box. The basic load created isautomatically selected in the basic load list. If it is not, please select it.

Click on the Concentrated (Beam) tab to display the concentrated beam loads entry form.Fill the parameters as shown below and click on the Add button to assign this load to theselected members. The load intensity entered is -100kN as the load is applied in the negativeY direction.

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4.18

To ease the visualization of the model, the loads are not displayed by default. The Highlightbutton allows to visualize the loads assigned to the structure members. Click on the Highlightbutton to display the concentrated loads assigned to the selected beams.

To create the uniformly distributed loads, click on the Uniform (Beam) tab.

Enter the intensity (-30 kN/m) of the distributed load in the Force FY field and click the Addbutton. The loads that were previously highlighted are hidden and the uniform load is appliedto the selected members. Click the Highlight button to display the uniformly distributed load.Notice that the concentrated loads are not highlighted, only the uniform load is highlighted.The Highlight command is a selective command, it will highlight the loads of the typespecified by the tab where the command is activated (here, the uniform beam loads). Inaddition, the loads highlighted are the one assigned to the selected beams only and containedin the selected basic load (Basic Load list).

Click the Close button to close the Assign Loads dialog box. At this moment the highlightedloads are hidden. To make the loads always visible, click on the Graphic Options commandin the View menu (this command is also accessible from the Main toolbar ).

Creating the Model


4.19

Select the Loads tab and, in this tab, check the Load Visualization option. Then click theOK button to close the Graphic Options dialog box.

The last operation required before performing the analysis of the model is the creation of theload combinations. Select the Load Combinations command from the Tables menu (thiscommand is also accessible from the Loads toolbar and in the Assign Loads dialogbox ).

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4.20

Enter 1.25 as the load factor for the basic load All Loads and modify the name of the loadcombination by clicking the button or double-clicking on the tab label. Click the OKbutton to close the Load Combinations dialog box.

Creating the Model


4.21

Verifying Input DataBefore proceeding to the analysis, it is of good practice to make a quick verification of themodel. SAFI provides multiple tools to check that the model data is correct. The first toolallows to see the sections as they really are in three-dimensions including rotation (beta) anglearound the member line and eccentricity. This feature is accessible from the Graphic Optionscommand from the View menu. In the Graphic Options dialog box, click the SolidModeling tab.

Fill the form as above and click OK. Use the Camera to view the structure from differentangles and zoom some specific parts that cant be easily distinguished from far away.

Another useful tool is the Verify Input Data command which checks for instabilities, doublejoints, missing attributes, etc. This command is accessible from the Analysis menu or theMain toolbar .


Chapter 5

Analysis and Results

Running the AnalysisWe are now ready to perform the static analysis of the frame structure generated in theprevious chapter. All analysis, verification and design features are concentrated at the sameplace to simplify the solution operations. To display the analysis manager, select the Solutioncommand from the Analysis menu. The Solution command is also accessible from the Maintoolbar ( ) or by shortcut keys (F12).

The available analysis and design options available depend on the modules activated. For thedemo version, the only available analysis is a static linear analysis.

To perform the static analysis, click on the Run button.

Tutorial Manual


5.2

Checking ResultsOnce you have analyzed the model successfully, you need to check that the output is correctand corresponds to what you expected.

The commands for viewing the results are accessible from the Analysis menu or the ResultsBar which can be displayed by the View/Hide Results Bar command from the Analysismenu ( ).

The Results bar contains six sections each containing three to fourbuttons. Each section (Static, Frequencies, Dynamic, etc.) allows toview the results for a specific analysis. The button allows todefine the results which will be shown for the entire structure (or thevisible part if the View/Hide Selection command is activated). Thecheckbox at the left of this button allows to toggle the display ofthese results on and off.

The button allows to view the numerical results in tables.Some filters may be applied to these results to reduce the quantity ofresults displayed and ease their interpretation. When this button isclicked, a menu showing the available results is displayed.

The button allows to view the results by means of charts andcorresponding tables. These charts may be customized, printed orpasted in other applications. When this button is clicked, a menushowing the available results is displayed. Only the results whichcan be plotted are available here.

As the only analysis type allowed in the demo version is a static analysis, only the generalcommands in the Analysis section of the results bar are useful. The button allows todetermine which results of the static analysis should be presented graphically.

First of all, display the internal deformations. Click on the Static button on the Results Bar toopen the static results dialog box.



5.3

Check the Internal option in the Deformations section and click OK. Next, check the boxbesides the Static button on the Results Bar. You should now see the internal deformationson screen.

Tutorial Manual


5.4

In the same way, we can see the bending moments and support reactions.

SAFI provides additional tools for visualizing the analysis results. The numerical results maybe viewed in tables for the entire structure or a part of it. From the Results Bar, click on the

button in the Analysis section. When the button is clicked, a menu is displayed inwhich you may select the results to be shown.



5.5

Select the Joint Displacements command from this menu. When this command is selected,some additional information are asked

Select All Structure in the Elements list and All Load Combinations in the LoadCombinations list and then click on the OK button.

Tutorial Manual


5.6

Some analysis results may be viewed by means of charts. . From the Results Bar, click on the

button in the Analysis section. When the button is clicked, a menu is displayed inwhich you may select the results to be shown. This menu contains only the results which canbe plotted.

Select from the menu the Internal Beam Forces command. Once the command is activated,click on the beam located on the right part of the last floor of the structure. A dialog box willbe displayed showing the internal forces for this beam. In the Diagram list, select Moment Zto view the bending moment distribution.



5.7

When the mouse pointer is moved over the diagram, the numerical results are highlighted inthe table for the given position on the beam. The buttons on the right part of the dialog boxallows to customize the chart, to print the table, to print the chart or to copy the chart to theclipboard for using in an external application such as a word processor. This chart is copied asa vectorial image so it can be scaled and edited without any loss of precision.

Printing the ReportAfter the analysis is performed and the overall results checked, the analysis report can begenerated. The report manager is implemented in an easy to use fashion and allows to fullycustomize the output. To open the report manager, select the Generate Report commandfrom the Analysis menu. This command is also accessible from the Main toolbar ( ).

Tutorial Manual


5.8

The report manager is composed of nine tabs (only two in the demo version), the GeneralInputs tab for the input data, the Analysis tab for the analysis results and seven other tabs forthe application specific input and results.

The first tab is separated in two parts. The top section is a hierarchical list of parameters thatcan be included or excluded from the report by checking or unchecking the appropriatebranch. The and markers allow to respectively expand or collapse the branches of thelist. If the base of a branch is unchecked (excluded), all items within that branch areautomatically excluded. For example, in the figure below, the material properties, the sectionproperties, the members and releases and the joints and supports are included as generalparameters. The concentrated and uniform loads are included as well with the loadcombinations. All input related to the seismic and dynamic analysis are excluded (the basebranch is excluded).

The bottom part of the General Inputs tab allows to specify for which range of joints,members, load combinations basic loads and time (for seismic and dynamic analysis) the inputdata will be printed.

The Analysis tab is composed of a hierarchical list only. This list works exactly like thehierarchical list of the General Inputs tab.



5.9

When the desired options are set, click on the Generate button. At this time, a filename forthe report is requested. Enter a name for the file and click Save. After the report is generated,it is automatically displayed. Four file formats are available, SAFI Report, Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Access and ASCII Report (unformatted text).

tutorial manual safi

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