Software Verification

PROGRAM NAME: REVISION NO.:

SAP2000 8

EXAMPLE 6-002
LINK MULTI-LINEAR ELASTIC LINK PROBLEM DESCRIPTION This example uses a single degree of freedom structure to test the behavior of a multi-linear elastic (no hysteresis) link element. Multi-linear elastic forcedeformation characteristics are defined for the link element. A nonlinear static analysis is used to push the link element to a negative 12 inch displacement. Then a second nonlinear load case is started from the final conditions of the first load case and used to push the link element to a positive 12 inch displacement, a 24 inch push. The link force at the end of each load case is compared with the defined link force-deformation characteristics. In addition the entire forcedeformation history for each load case is graphically compared with the defined link force-deformation characteristics. The SAP2000 model consists of a two-joint multi-linear link element that is fixed at one end and free at the other end. As shown in the following figure, the link is modeled in the XZ plane and is oriented such that its length (and thus its local 1 axis) is parallel to the global Z axis. The link element length is arbitrarily chosen as ten inches. The only active degree of freedom in the model is Uz. Similarly, the only degree of freedom in the linear link element with nonzero properties is the U1 (axial) degree of freedom. A unit load is applied in the positive Z direction at joint 2. This load is used in the displacement-controlled static nonlinear analysis. GEOMETRY
p(z) p(z) u(z) k(z) Z Y X 1 2 Multilinear link element with force-displacement characteristics, k(z), defined for the U1 degree of freedom

EXAMPLE 6-002 - 1

Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: REVISION NO.:

SAP2000 8

LINK PROPERTIES The link force-deformation characteristics are defined as shown in the table to the right. This table is plotted in the following figure. The solid line in the force-deformation plot is the data actually included in the table. The dotted lines in the plot show how SAP2000 extrapolates the provided data to reach the desired deformations. In general, for the multi-linear link, the slope given by the last two specified points on the positive deformation axis is extrapolated to infinite positive deformation. Similarly, the slope given by the last two specified points on the negative deformation axis is extrapolated to infinite negative deformation.
60 50

Deformation (in) -10 -6 -5 -3 0 2 7 8

Force (kips) -50 -30 -40 -40 0 40 50 30

40 30 20

Link Force (kips)

10 0 -12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 -10 0 2 4 6 8 10 12

-20

-30 -40

-50 -60

Link Deformation (in)

EXAMPLE 6-002 - 2

Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: REVISION NO.:

SAP2000 8

LOAD CASE DEFINITIONS Two displacement-controlled nonlinear static load cases are used in this example. They are named NLSTAT1 and NLSTAT2. NLSTAT1 starts from zero initial conditions and pushes the link out to a negative 12 inch deformation. NLSTAT2 starts from the conditions at the end of NLSTAT1 and pushes the link from a negative 12 inch deformation to a positive 12 inch deformation. TECHNICAL FEATURES OF SAP2000 TESTED Multi-linear links Displacement-controlled nonlinear static analysis RESULTS COMPARISON Independent results are obtained from the defined link force-deformation characteristics shown in the figure on the previous page.

Output Parameter Link force at last step kips

Load Case NLSTAT1 NLSTAT2

SAP2000 -60 -50

Independent -60 -50

Percent Difference 0% 0%

The figures on the following page show the link force-deformation curves obtained from load case NLSTAT1 and NLSTAT2. As expected, these curves exactly match the defined force-deformation characteristics for the link.

EXAMPLE 6-002 - 3

Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: REVISION NO.:

SAP2000 8

60 50 40 30 20

Force-Deformation curve for analysis case NLSTAT1

Force (kips)

10 0 -12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Deformation (in)

60 50 40 30 20

Force (kips)

10 0 -12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Force-Deformation curve for analysis case NLSTAT2

Deformation (in)

EXAMPLE 6-002 - 4

Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: REVISION NO.:

SAP2000 8

COMPUTER FILE: Example 6-002 CONCLUSION The SAP2000 results show an exact comparison with the independent results. The multi linear link has no hysteretic behavior. It always loads and unloads along the same path.

EXAMPLE 6-002 - 5