Software Verification

PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000

REVISION NO.: 2

EXAMPLE 5-006
SOLID – SCORDELIS-LO ROOF WITH STATIC LOADS

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
In this example, a single span, cylindrical barrel vault roof is analyzed for gravity
loads. The vertical deflection at the center of the free edge is compared with
published theoretical results. In addition, displacement and bending moment
results along the support and along the central section are compared with
published results.

The geometry, properties and loading are as suggested in MacNeal and Harder
1985. The 3-inch-thick roof spans longitudinally 50 feet between supports. It is
simply supported (Uz restrained) at its curved ends and is free along the straight
edges. The roof has a 25-foot radius and a central angle of 40°. As suggested in
MacNeal and Harder 1985, only a quarter of the roof is modeled.

A 16x16x1 mesh is used for the quarter roof. Symmetry conditions are imposed
by restraining the Ux degree of freedom at the top and bottom of the solid objects
along the edge of the roof between joints 1, 290 and 273, 562, restraining the Uy
degree of freedom at the top and bottom of the solid objects along the edge of the
roof between joints 273, 562 and 289, 578, and restraining both the Ux and Uy
degrees of freedom at joints 273, 562.

LOADING
The loading for this example is a 90 psf gravity load, that is, a uniform load on
the surface area in the -Z direction of 90 psf. To test different types of loading,
the load is input two different ways in two different load cases, as shown in the
following table.

Load Case Load Type

SELF Self Weight
GRAV Gravity Load

The unit weight of the concrete is set to 360 lb/ft3 so that the self weight and
gravity loads will be 90 psf.

EXAMPLE 5-006 - 1
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 2

GEOMETRY AND PROPERTIES

Material Properties
E = 432,000,000 lb/ft2
ν = 0.0
G = 216,000,000 lb/ft2

Section Properties
Thickness = 3 in

Loading
Gravity Load = 90 lb/ft2 241
(Uniform load on surface Sym
273, 562
area in the –Z direction) 281, 570

289, 578
Sym
256

2
17
18, 307 5 0'
1, 290
Free
2, 291
1 9, 298
Boundary Conditions 1
Simply supported at ends 17, 306
25'

(i.e., along curved edges)

R=

40°

Z
Y
1, 290 - Joint number (bottom, top)
X 1 - Solid object number

EXAMPLE 5-006 - 2
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 2

TECHNICAL FEATURES OF SAP2000 TESTED

 Three-dimensional analysis using solid objects
 Self weight applied to solid objects
 Gravity load applied to shell objects

RESULTS COMPARISON
The independent result for the vertical deflection at the center of the free edge is
published in MacNeal and Harder 1985. The independent results for
displacements and bending moments along the support and along the central
section are scaled from plotted results provided in Zienkiewicz 1977, which are
calculated using the theory presented in Scordelis and Lo 1964.

Vertical Deflection at Center of Free Edge

Percent
Output Parameter SAP2000 Independent Difference
Uz ft
Average of joints -0.3120 -0.3086 +1%
289 and 578

Axial Deformations at Support

Output Percent
Angle Parameter SAP2000 Independent* Difference**
Uy ft
0° Avg. of joints 0.0001 0.0004 -2%
1 and 290
Uy ft
20° Avg. of joints 0.0027 0.0030 -2%
9 and 298
Uy ft
40° Avg. of joints -0.0126 -0.0125 +1%
17 and 306
* Independent results are scaled (estimated) from Figure 13.11c on page 350 in Zienkiewicz
1977.
** Percent difference is calculated with respect to the maximum independent value, 0.0125.

EXAMPLE 5-006 - 3
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 2

Vertical Displacement at Central Section

Output Percent
Angle Parameter SAP2000 Independent* Difference**
Uz ft
0° Avg. of joints 0.031 0.048 -5%
273 and 562
Uz ft
20° Avg. of joints -0.091 -0.080 +3%
281 and 570
Uz ft
40° Avg. of joints -0.312 -0.315 -1%
289 and 578
* Independent results are scaled (estimated) from Figure 13.11b on page 350 in Zienkiewicz
1977.
** Percent difference is calculated with respect to the maximum independent value, 0.315.

COMPUTER FILE: Example 5-006

CONCLUSIONS
In general the SAP2000 results show an acceptable comparison with the
independent results. The comparisons with the published theoretical value of the
vertical deflection at the center of the free edge have about a 1% difference.

The comparison of the displacements along the support and along the central
section is good considering that the independent results are scaled from published
graphical results.

The uniform load on the surface area in the -Z direction is input as a self weight
and a gravity load in two different load cases. The results for the two load cases
are identical.

EXAMPLE 5-006 - 4