Area - Automatic Area Mesh

Form: Assign Automatic Area Mesh SAP2000 allows area objects to be divided into smaller objects in the object-based model, and meshed into elements in the analysis model. Dividing the object is accomplished using the Edit menu > Divide Areas command. Meshing an area object is accomplished using the Assign menu > Area > Automatic Area Mesh command. This topic addresses meshing an area object into elements in the analysis model. 1. 2. 3. Select the area objects to be meshed. Click the Assign menu > Area > Automatic Area Mesh command to activate the Assign Automatic Area Mesh form. Choose the option to specify how the object is to be meshed. The Area Object Dividing or Meshing topic explains how the program works and uses illustrations to show the effects of the various options. Note: Meshing is performed on one area object at a time.   No Auto Meshing option. When this option is selected, the program will not mesh the selected area object into the analysis model, thereby treating the object as a structural element. Mesh Area Into This Number of Objects (Quads and Triangles Only) option and Along Edge from Point 1 to 2 and Along Edge from Point 1 to 3 edit boxes. Use this option to specify that the selected object(s) be meshed into the number of objects specified using the edit box for each edge. The program adds points to the adjacent edges, at equally spaced intervals, and then automatically adds the same number of points along the opposite edges so that meshing lines can be drawn between the opposing points on the edges to create the specified number of objects/elements. Mesh Area Into Objects of This Maximum Size (Quads and Triangles Only) option and Along Edge from Point 1 to 2 and Along Edge from Point 1 to 3 edit boxes. Use this option to specify that the selected object(s) be meshed into n number of objects of the maximum length specified in the edit box for each of the adjacent edges. The program adds points along each edge at equally spaced intervals such that the length of any of the resulting divided objects does not exceed the length specified in the edit boxes. The length specified determines the number of objects to be created and thus the number of points added to each edge. Meshing Group drop-down list. This drop-down list near the upper right corner of the form can be used with the following options to make meshing of a complex model a little easier. Choose the previously defined group that contains both the selected area object and the line or point objects upon which meshing will be based. The ALL group is selected by default. Mesh Area Based on Points On Area Edges (Quads and Triangles Only), Points Determined From option. Use this option to specify that the selected object be meshed based on specified lines and points. The specified lines and points must lie in the plane of the area object. These options may be used in combination. As appropriate, use the Meshing Group drop-down list near the top right corner of the form to select the previously defined group that includes the selected area object and the straight line or point object. o Intersection of Straight Line Objects In Meshing Group With Area Edges check box. Check this check box to specify that points be added, and thus the object meshed, at the intersection of the edge of the selected area object with a selected straight line object that has been drawn or defined to cross the selected object's edge. The program will not extend the selected line to make it intersect an edge; the selected line must already intersect an edge of the selected object. Note that the selected straight line object and

selected area object must lie in the same plane and must both belong to the same previously defined Group (see Meshing Group above). o Point Objects In Meshing Group That Are On Area Edges check box. Check this check box to specify that the object be meshed based on a point drawn or defined on the object's edge. Note that the point object and the area object must both be selected and lie in the same plane. Also for this option, the point must lie on the edge of the selected object. The Draw menu > Snap To > Lines and Edges command may be helpful in placing the point accurately on the object's edge. Note that the selected point object and selected area object must lie in the same plane and must both belong to the same previously defined Group (see Meshing Group above). Mesh Area Using Cookie Cut Based On Straight Line Objects In Meshing Group option. Use this option to specify that the selected object be meshed based on a selected straight line object. For this option, the selected line object does not need to intersect with the edge of the selected area object. If the selected line object does not intersect with the selected object's edge or fully transect the selected area object, the program places a point on the object's edge along the projected path of the selected line object. Note that the selected line object and selected area object must lie in the same plane and must both belong to the same previously defined Group (see Meshing Group above). Mesh Area Using Cookie Cut Based on Point Objects In Meshing Group option and Rotation of Cut Lines From Area Local Axes (Deg) edit box. Use this option to specify that the selected object be meshed based on a selected point object. For this option, the selected point object does not need to lie on the edge of the selected area object. The program "draws meshing lines" that pass through the selected point to proportionately placed points on the area object's opposing edge or edges. Use the edit box to specify the rotation in degrees of the "meshing lines" from the original local 1 and 2 axes of the selected area object. Positive rotations appear counterclockwise when the local 3 axis is pointing toward you. Note that the selected point object and selected area object must both belong to the same previously defined Group (see Meshing Group above). Mesh Area Using General Divide Tool Based On Points and Lines In Meshing Group option and Maximum Size of Meshed Object edit box. Use this option to specify that the selected object be meshed based on selected point or line objects and the maximum length for the resulting meshed object, as entered in the edit box. For this option, the selected point or line object must lie within the same plane as the selected area object and lie within the selected object (i.e., the point can not lie on the edge of the object and the line can not cross the edge of the area object or have its end points on the edge of the area object). The program divides the selected object into n number of objects based on the maximum size specified in the edit box and the locations of the selected points and lines within the area object. See the Area Object Dividing or Meshing topic for more clarification. Note that the selected point and line object and the selected area object must all belong to the same previously defined Group (see Meshing Group above).

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Choose an option to specify the Local Axes For Added Points:  Make same on Edge if adjacent corners have same local axes definition check box. Use this check box to specify that the local axes definitions for new points added along the edges of an area object are the same as an adjacent area object corner point if the local axes definition for the adjacent corners are identical.  Make same on Face if all corners have same local axes definition check box. Use this check box to specify that the local axes definition for the new points on the face of the area object are set the same as a corner point of the area object if the local axes definitions for all of the corner points of the area object are identical. Choose an option to specify the Restraints and Constraints For Added Points  Add on Edge when restraints/constraints exist at adjacent corner points (Applies if added edge point and adjacent corner points have same local axes definition) check box. Use this check box to specify that a restraint degree of freedom (or constraint) is added to new points on the edges

of the area object if both adjacent corners have that degree of freedom restrained (constrained) and the local axes definitions for the adjacent corners and the new point are identical. Add on Faces when restraints/constraints exist at all corner points (Applies if added face point and all corner points have same local axes definition) check box. Use this check box to specify that a restraint degree of freedom (or constraint) is added to new points on the face of the area object if all area object corners have that degree of freedom restrained (constrained) and the local axes definitions of all corners and the new points are identical.

Note: Unlike the Edit menu > Divide Areas command, the Assign menu > Area > Automatic Area Mesh command does not change the size or number of the objects; the meshing performed is internal and is handled similar to any other assignment. This allows for the meshing to be changed or removed without any effect on the area object geometry. Use the Display menu > Show Miscellaneous Assigns > Area command to display the Automatic Area Object Meshing and the Automatic Area Edge Constraints.

Reinforcement Data Form

Access the Reinforcement Data form as follows: 1. Click the Define menu > Section Properties > Frame Sections command or select a frame object and click the Assign menu > Frame> Frame Sections command to display the Frame Properties form. The Frame Properties form also can be accessed by clicking the + (plus) symbol that may appear next to a {Type} Section drop-down list, such as appears on the {Template} forms. Additionally, the Frame Properties form also displays when the Define/Show Frame Sections button is clicked on the Bridge Wizard when Step 3.2 Frame Sections is highlighted. Then do one of the following:  Click the Import New Property button to access the Import Frame Section Property form or the Add New Property button to access the Add Frame Section Property form. 1. Select Concrete from the Frame Section Property Type drop-down list. 2. Click the Rectangular or Circular button.  Highlight a previously defined circular or rectangular section and click the Add Copy of Property or Modify/Show Property button. Click the Concrete Reinforcement button.

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When frame section properties are specified for rectangular or circular concrete members, some of the reinforcing information for that member can also be specified using the Reinforcement Data form.  Rebar Material o Longitudinal Bars and Confinement Bars drop-down lists. Select previously defined rebar materials from these drop-down lists, or click the + (plus) symbol preceding the drop-down lists to access the Define Materials form and add or modify a material property definition for use in the rebar material definition. Design Type. The choice made in the Design Type area of the Reinforcement Data form Column or Beam determines the parameters to be provided in the balance of the form. Column If the Design Type is Column, provide input for the following: o Reinforcement Configuration options. y If the Section Type is Circle on the Frame Properties form, the reinforcement can be circular only. y If the Section Type is Rectangular on the Frame Properties form, specify rectangular or circular reinforcement. Confinement Bars options. y If the Reinforcement Configuration is Rectangular, the Confinement Bars can be Ties only. y If the Reinforcement Configuration is Circular, the Confinement Bars (transverse) can be Ties or Spiral. Rectangular Configuration options. If the Section Type is Rectangular on the Frame Properties form and the Reinforcement Configuration is "Rectangular," provide input for the following: y Longitudinal Bars

 

Clear Cover for Confinement Bars edit box. This is the distance from the edge of the column to the center of a longitudinal bar. Number of Longit. Bars Along 3-dir Face edit box. This is the number of longitudinal reinforcing bars (including corner rebar) on the two faces of the column that are parallel to the local 3-axis of the section. Number of Longit. Bars Along 2-dir Face edit box. This is the number of longitudinal reinforcing bars (including corner rebar) on the two faces of the column that are parallel to the local 2-axis of the section. Longitudinal Bar Size drop-down list. This is the specified size of longitudinal reinforcing steel for the section. Only one longitudinal bar size can be specified for a given concrete frame section property.

TIP: Click the + (plus) symbol beside the Longitudinal Bar Size or Confinement Bar Size (see below) drop-down list to access the Rebar Sizes form. Use that form to add or modify the rebar size for this definition. Confinement Bars  Confinement Bar Size drop-down list. This is the specified size of confinement reinforcing steel for the section. Only one confinement bar size can be specified for a given concrete frame section property.  Longitudinal Spacing of Confinement Bars edit box. Use the default or specify another value for the spacing of the confinement bars.  Number of Confinement Bars in 3-dir edit box. This is the number of confinement reinforcing bars (including corner rebar) on the two faces of the column that are parallel to the local 3-axis of the section.  Number of Confinement Bars in the 2-dir edit box. This is the number of confienement reinforcing bars (including corner rebar) on the two faces of the column that are parallel to the local 2-axis of the section. Circular Configuration options. If the Section Type is Rectangular or Circle on the Frame Properties form and the Reinforcement Configuration is "Circular," provide input for the following: y Longitudinal Bars  Clear Cover for Confinement Bars edit box. This is the distance from the edge of the column to the center of a longitudinal bar.  Number of Longitudinal Bars edit box. This is the number of longitudinal reinforcing bars in the section.  Longitudinal Bar Size drop-down list. This is the specified size of reinforcing steel for the section. Only one bar size can be specified for a given concrete frame section property. y Confinement Bars  Confinement Bar Size drop-down list. This is the specified size of confinement reinforcing steel for the section. Only one confinement bar size can be specified for a given concrete frame section property.  Longitudinal Spacing of Confinement Bars edit box. Use the default or specify another value for the spacing of the confinement bars. y

Beam If the Design Type is Beam, provide input for the following: o Concrete Cover to Longitudinal Rebar Center options. Rebar cover is specified at the top and bottom of the beam. The Top cover is measured from the top of the beam to the centroid of the

top longitudinal reinforcing. The Bottom cover is measured from the bottom of the beam to the centroid of the bottom longitudinal reinforcing. Reinforcement Overrides for Ductile Beams options. The reinforcement overrides are specified areas of longitudinal reinforcing steel that occur at the Top and Bottom of the left and right ends of the beam. These overrides are used by SAP2000 as follows: y In the Concrete Frame Design postprocessor  When the design shear in a concrete beam is to be based on provided longitudinal reinforcement (that is, the shear design is based on the moment capacity of the beam), SAP2000 compares the calculated required reinforcement with that specified in the reinforcement overrides and uses the larger value to determine the moment capacity on which the shear design is based.  When the minimum reinforcing in the middle of a beam is to be based on some percentage of the reinforcing at the ends of the beam, SAP2000 compares the calculated required reinforcement at the ends of the beam with that specified in the reinforcement overrides and uses the larger value to determine the minimum reinforcing in the middle of the beam.  When the shear design of columns is to be based on the maximum moment that the beams can deliver to the columns, SAP2000 compares the calculated required reinforcement with that specified in the reinforcement overrides and uses the larger value to determine the moment capacity of the beam. y For any degree of freedom in the frame nonlinear hinge properties assigned to a concrete member that is specified as default, SAP2000 calculates the hinge forcedeformation properties based on the larger of the calculated required reinforcement at the ends of the beam (assuming that run the design has been run through the Concrete Frame Design postprocessor) and the specified reinforcement overrides.

Check/Design options. Specify that a member with this frame section property be checked or designed by SAP2000's Concrete Frame Design postprocessor. If the reinforcement is to be checked, all information in the Reinforcement Data form is used. If the reinforcement is to be designed, all information in the Reinforcement Data form is used except the bar size, which is ignored, and the total required steel area is calculated. The Reinforcement Configuration, Longitudinal Rebar data and Cover to Rebar Center are used. If reinforcing is specified in a concrete column frame section property that was specified using the Section Designer utility, the Concrete Frame Design postprocessor checks the column for the specified reinforcing or designs new reinforcing depending on the option that was selected in Section Designer.

See Also Reinforcement Bar Sizes