Tutorial

Plate Concrete

SCIA Engineer

Release: SCIA Engineer 2008.0 Req. Module: ESA.00 ESA.01 ESAS.00 ESA.08.x Base Modeller 2D Surfaces Linear Statics 2D a language module

Manual: Revision:

SCIA Engineer Tutorial Plate Concrete 03/2008

SCIA Engineer

All information in this document is subject to modification without prior notice. No part of this manual may be reproduced, stored in a database or retrieval system or published, in any form or in any way, electronically, mechanically, by print, photo print, microfilm or any other means without written permission from the publisher. SCIA Software is not responsible for any direct or indirect damage because of imperfections in the documentation and/or the software. Copyright 2008 SCIA Software. All rights reserved.

SCIA Engineer

WELCOME INSTALLATION INTRODUCTION STARTING PROJECT MANAGEMENT INPUT OF GEOMETRY CHANGING THE GRAPHICAL DISPLAY OF THE STRUCTURE INPUT OF THE CALCULATION DATA

5 7 8 9 12 13 26 30

To start a project............................................................................................ 9

Save, Save As, Close and Open ................................................................. 12

Modifying the view....................................................................................... 26

Load Cases and Load Groups.................................................................... 30 Loads ............................................................................................................ 32 Combinations ............................................................................................... 41

CALCULATION AND MESH GENERATION RESULTS DOCUMENT

44 50 56

Linear Calculation........................................................................................ 47

Reviewing results ........................................................................................ 50

SCIA Engineer

SCIA Engineer

Welcome
Welcome to the SCIA Engineer Tutorial Plate Concrete. SCIA Engineer is a calculation program under MS Windows XP/2003/Vista with a large range of application: from checking simple frames to the advanced design of complex projects in steel, concrete, wood The program includes the calculation of 2D/3D frames and plates, shells and scales, including the possible code checks and the calculation of required reinforcement. The Entire calculation and design process is integrated in one program: Geometry input, input of the computational model (loads, supports.), linear and non-linear calculation, output of the results, elements check and optimization to the different codes as well as generation of the calculation note SCIA Engineer is available in three different versions:

Licensed version

The licensed version of SCIA Engineer is protected with a dongle, which is installed onto the parallel or the USB port of your computer either with a software license, which is installed on your network. SCIA Engineer is modular and includes several modules. The user chooses from the available range to compose a calculation program, which perfectly matches his or her needs. The general SCIA Engineer product overview includes a list of the available modules.

Demo version

If no protection is found, the program will automatically start in demo version. The features of this demo version are: All projects can be entered; The calculation is limited to projects containing 25 1D elements, 3 plates/shells and 2 load cases; The output contains the watermark Unlicensed software; The projects saved in the demo version cannot be opened in the licensed version.

Student version

The student version offers for all modules the same possibilities as the licensed version. It is also protected with a dongle or a software license. The output contains the watermark Student version. Projects saved in student version cannot be opened in the licensed version.

SCIA Engineer

SCIA Engineer

Installation
System Requirements
To install SCIA Engineer properly your system must contain the following system requirements: Hardware requirements

Processor speed RAM Video Card Free Disk space for program Free Disk space for projects and temporary files

Pentium IV -1Ghz (Recommended: Pentium IV-3Ghz) 512 MB (Recommended: > 1GB) 64 MB, support of OpenGL 350 MB 200 MB (the required disk space can be GBs for really big projects)

Software requirements

MS Windows XP / 2003/ Vista

It is recommended to install the latest Service Pack for the operating systems

Other requirements To install SCIA Engineer, you need at least Power User rights. To work with SCIA Engineer, you need normal user rights as well as read and write rights for the SCIA Engineer folders. The general set-up program of the CD-ROM will automatically start when you insert the CDROM in the CD-ROM player, you will obtain a menu listing all available software on the CDROM. Follow the instructions on the screen to install SCIA Engineer.

SCIA Engineer

Introduction
The example of this Tutorial can be designed with the Licensed or Student Versions. Before you proceed, you must be familiar with your operating system: for instance working with dialogues, menu bars, toolbars, status bars, handling the mouse, etc. This Tutorial describes the main functions of SCIA Engineer for the input and calculation of plate. First we will explain how to create a new project and the set-up of the structure. After the geometry and load input, the structure will be calculated and the results can be viewed. Some advanced possibilities such as defining an opening in the plate and the input of a plate rib. Local mesh refinement will be used to get precise results. By the results will be indicated how a section on a plate can me generated, so that the internal forces in this section can be viewed. The Tutorial ends with a brief introduction to the calculation note.

The figure shows the calculation model of the structure to be designed:

SCIA Engineer

Starting
To start a project
Before a project can be started, the program must be launched.
Launching the program

1.

Double click on the shortcut to SCIA Engineer on your Windows Desktop. Or :

2.

If the shortcut is not installed, click on [Start] and choose Programs > SCIA Engineer 2008 > SCIA Engineer. If the program does not find any protection, the trial version will start. Click on [OK] in both windows in order to make manipulations. For this tutorial a new project will be started.

To start a new project

1. 2.

If the dialogue window Open appears, one should click on [Cancel]. Click on the New in the icon bar.

A dialogue window Project will pop up dialogue window with different start-up options.

Choose Structure and click on [OK]. then the dialogue window Project data appears, where in general data about the project can be entered.

SCIA Engineer

3. 4. 5.

Enter in the group Data the data of the name, part, etc. of the project. This data will be depicted in the output, like for instance in the document and on paper space drawings. Choose for Project level : Advanced and Model: One. Click on the button under National Code to define a default national code for your project. Using this all available materials, combination rules and checks will be defined according the selected national code.. For this Tutorial project the EC-EN will be chosen. The window Codes in project pops up. a) Click on the button [Add]. The dialogue Available national codes pops up.

b) Select the European flag and click [OK]. You will return to the window Codes in project and the EC-EN is added. c) Select the option Active code and click [Close]. You will return to the window Project data and the EC-EN is the active code. 6. Select Plate XY in the part Structure.

10

SCIA Engineer The type Structure (Frame XZ, Frame XYZ, Plate XY, General XYZ,...) limits the possible input during the analysis. 7. In the group Material, select Concrete. Under the item Concrete a new item Material will appear. 8. 9. Choose C30/37 from the option menu. Accept the input by pressing [OK].

Notes:

In the tab page Basic Data one can set a project level. If you choose standard, than a limited set of
basic functionalities will be shown. If you choose advanced, the complete set of functionalities will be shown

In the tab page Functionality one can set the functionalities in the programs that will be required.
Non-selected functionalities will be filtered out of the program.

In the tab page Combinations one can find the partial safety factors. For this Tutorial the default
settings will be used.

11

SCIA Engineer

Project Management
Save, Save As, Close and Open
Before entering the structure, we first will discuss how to save a project, how to open an existing project and how to close a project. When executing the project of this tutorial, you can save the project every now and then. In this way, you can leave the program any time and continue with the project at a later time from that point on
Saving a project

Click

in the toolbar.

If the project has not been saved yet, the dialogue Save as will open. Click on the arrow in the list box Save in to select the disk where you want to save the project. Select the folder where you want the project and click [Open]. Select sub-folders. Enter the file name below File name and click [Save] to save the (empty) project. If you click the icon again, the project will automatically be saved with the same name. If you choose File > Save as in the main menu, you can enter a new/other disk, folder and name for the project file.

Closing a project

To close this project, choose File > Close in the main menu. A dialogue box will appear, asking you if you want to save this project. Depending on your answer, the project will be saved and the active dialogue will be closed.

Opening a project

Click

to open an existing project.

A list of projects will appear on the screen. Select the desired project and click [OK] (or double-click on the project to open it).

12

SCIA Engineer

Input of Geometry
When a new project is started, the geometry of the structure must be input. The constructive geometry can be input directly using CAD tools, but also using templates with parametric blocks or DWG/DXF exchange formats.

Geometry
Structure menu

1.

After starting the project automatically the Structure menu in the Main Window is opened. If you want to change the geometry of the structure later on, one should double click in the Main Window on Structure.

2.

In the Structure menu different branches will appear, in accordance with the already input items, i.e. support branch will appear if a structure is physically available.

We will input the structure as a plane 2D member. We will use the advanced input options, like definition of an opening in the slab or drawing of a plate rib.

13

SCIA Engineer
Input of a plane 2D member

1. In the structure menu one should double click on the Plate in the 2D member branch 2. The window 2D member will be opened.

Secondly the following properties can be defined: name=Slab, type=plate (90), Material=C30/37, Thickness = 250mm. 3. 4. After accepting with [OK] the program asks in the command line for the starting point of the polyline. The buttons in the command line allow one to built up the polygonal edges using different line types, or to choose directly for a circular or rectangular surface.

5.

The geometry can be input with help of a dot or line grid or with use of the mouse or direct input of coordinates in the command line : Starting point : 0;0 <enter> 16;0 <enter>

New polygon Circular Arc Intermediate point > : @2;3 <enter> @-2;3 <enter> @-5;0 <enter> @-3;3 <enter> @0;3 <enter> @-8;0 <enter> right mouse click in order to select the command End and close the input of the polygon. The program proposes to draw a New polygon. The right mouse click will end the drawing.

14

SCIA Engineer The following picture is now depicted in the screen :

After input of the slab the 2D element parts can be added. We will start by making an opening in the slab. After this we will add internal nodes for which we will define supports.

Definition of an opening

1. 2.

In the Structure menu 2D member components we will create an Opening with the name Stair. In the command line quick access buttons are available for quick definition of geometrical outlines like circular or rectangular slabs. By default definition by drawing of a closed polygon is started, in this example we will define a rectangular opening. The two nodes of its diagonal define a rectangle. This is also depicted by the two red dots on the icon. New rectangle Starting Point: 2;8 Endpoint : 6;10 The program displays the proposed rectangle. Accept the New Rectangle by clicking the right mouse button.

3.

By setting the rendering

to ON, The result can be visually checked.

15

SCIA Engineer
Note

With the option Sub region a different thickness can be set using exactly the same principle.
Input of internal nodes

1. 2.

In the Structure menu we choose under 2D element components to input internal nodes . We will add four new internal nodes: 3;1 <enter> 3;5 <enter> 6;5 <enter> 6;1 <enter> right mouse click in order to end the input session.

Input of plate ribs

1. 2.

In the Structure menu, under 2D member components we choose Rib. If no cross-section was chosen in the project, the dialogue New cross-section will pop up. Here we will be able to select and define from the Geometric shapes a rectangular crosssection as the new rib.

3.

Click [Add]. This will take us to a new dialogue Cross-section. For this Tutorial we will take a rectangular concrete cross-section with height 500 mm and width 250 mm and a concrete grade of C30/37.

16

SCIA Engineer

4. 5.

We will accept the cross-section by pressing the [OK] button. After this we will [Close] both dialogues. In window Plate rib we can define the parameters of the ribs:

17

SCIA Engineer

6.

After <OK> we will have to define the starting and end points of the ribs. 1st rib : Starting point : 12;5 <enter> End point : 15;5 <enter> 2nd rib : Starting point : 12;1 <enter> End point : 15;1 <enter> right mouse click to end the input session.

Note :

width : The user can input the width for the internal forces (FE analysis) or the checks (Design As) by hand. number of thickness : The width of the slab for the rib is defined as a factor times the plate thickness. The user enters the factor by hand. default : The width of the slab for the rib is defined as a factor times the plate thickness. The factor is set in Setup > Solver > Number of thicknesses of rib plate

One can ask for a 3D view on the slab by the button [view in direction AXO]

18

SCIA Engineer

By viewing the surfaces

the input values of the geometry can be checked easily :

By pressing <ESC> one can easily cancel the selection.

19

SCIA Engineer

Supports
The input of the geometry can be finalized by definition of the support conditions. We assume that the whole edge is supported in global z-direction. Thus we simulate that a masonry wall supports i.e. the slab.

Definition of a Support on an edge

1. 2.

Select in the Structure menu Support > line on 2D member edge The window Line support on 2D member edge will pop up.

3. 4. 5.

We will support the edge on in z-direction. Finally we will select the edges around the slab one by one; edge1, edge2, edge3, edge4, edge5, edge6, edge7 . Press <ESC> to cancel the input command.

Input of Nodal Supports

1.

In order to input the nodal supports for the four internal nodes, we will use the option Support > in Node in the Structure menu.

20

SCIA Engineer

2. 3.

We will support the nodes only in z-direction. This supports can for instance by columns under the slab. We apply the nodal supports for the internal nodes N13, N14, N15 and N16.

Notes:

If required a flexible support can be defined in order to model the behavior of the columns
more adequately. Also only can model the supports as column, then the stiffness is directly derived for the entered column data.

A set of shortcuts of supports is defined in the Command line. In this project the button
Hinged Support could have been used.

21

SCIA Engineer

Checking the Structure

After definition of the geometry the entered data can be checked for possible errors or mistakes by means of the option Check Structure. With this tool the geometry is checked for duplicate nodes, null-bars, duplicate bars,

Checking the structure

1. 2.

Press on <ESC> or click on the button Cancel Selection entities are selected anymore.

in order to take care that no

Double click on the option Check Structure in the Structure menu or click on the button in the icon bar.

3.

The window Check of structure data will pop up for which a different set of checks is depicted.

4. 5.

Click on [Check] in order to perform the checks. The message box Data check report pops up with the message that no problems have been found.

6.

Close the message box by clicking [OK].

22

SCIA Engineer

Connecting entities
The plate ribs have to be connected to the slab. A node that is not connected to the slab, is depicted as a red dot. A node that is connected to a slab is depicted as a red dot with two straight lines : In order to display the names of the entered bars and nodes or support symbols the labels of each item can be turned ON / OFF by the shortcut button in the lower left corner of the graphical screen above the Command line. The 3rd button can visualize supports. Labels of nodes can be activated by the button Labels of bars can be activated by the button A view in direction Z located above the Command line located above the Command line. shows the following:

If the slab is selected by single clicking with the left mouse button on the 2D member edge, the properties of the slab can be reviewed in the Properties window:

23

SCIA Engineer

The properties contain for instance also the nodes on the outline of the slab. Additional data, like predefined line supports, internal nodes, openings and ribs will also be depicted. However it is required that the elements have to be connected using the option Connect members/nodes.

Connection entities

1. 2.

Press on <ESC> or click on the button Cancel Selection entities are selected.

in order to take care that no

Double click on the option Connect members/nodes in the Structure menu or click on the button in the icon bar.

3.

A dialogue window will pop up with the question if you want to proceed with connecting all entities:

Press [YES]. Then the dialogue for the Setup for connection of structural entities will pop up.

24

SCIA Engineer

4.

The next window will appear and indicates how many nodes have been connected :

5.

Connected nodes will be depicted by a red dot with two straight lines :

Note:

One can also connect the entities for a selection of members. 6. Click on [Close] in the bottom of the Structure menu.

25

SCIA Engineer

Changing the graphical display of the Structure

Modifying the view
SCIA Engineer offers multiple possibilities to change the graphical representation of the structure. Below, we will discuss the main options: Modifying the viewpoint on the structure Setting the view direction Using the magnifying glass Modifying the view parameters through the View parameters menu

Modifying the viewpoint on the structure

Setting the viewpoint using the wheels. At the bottom right of the graphical screen, there are three scroll buttons, two horizontal and one vertical. Using these scroll buttons, the structure can be zoomed or rotated. 1. To zoom the structure or to rotate the structure, click on the scroll button (the cursor will change from an arrow into a hand), keep the left mouse button pressed and move the scroll button. Or 2. Setting the viewpoint using a key-mouse combination. 1. 2. 3. Simultaneously press the CTRL key + the right mouse button and move the mouse to rotate the structure. Simultaneously press the SHIFT key + the right mouse button and move the mouse to shift the structure. Simultaneously press the CTRL + SHIFT key + the right mouse button and move the mouse to zoom in or to zoom out.

Note:

If a node is selected when the structure is being rotated, the structure will be rotated around the selected node.

Setting a view direction with regard to the global coordinate system

1. 2. 3.

Click on the View in X-direction Click on the View in Y-direction Click on the View in Z-direction

icon to obtain a view in X-direction. icon to obtain a view in Y-direction. icon to obtain a view in Z-direction.

26

SCIA Engineer

The magnifying glass

Use Use Use Use Use

to enlarge. to reduce. to zoom in a window. to obtain a view of the entire structure. to zoom on a selection.

Changing view parameters using the menu Set view parameters for all.

1.

Click in the graphical screen on the right mouse button. The following shortcut menu appears.

Note:

If by accident an element was selected, the shortcut menu can have a different appearance. 2. Choose the option Set view parameters for all. The window View parameters settings pops up. The menu consists of a set of tab pages. One can set the view parameters for all entities, of only for the selected entities.

View parameters - Entities

Using the tab page Structure graphical representation of various entities can be adjusted. From this tab page the following items are off importance: Style and Colour: One can depict the colours by layer, by material, by cross-section, or by structural type. Draw Cross-section: With this tick box a graphical representation of the cross-section is depicted in the reference line of a bar.

27

SCIA Engineer Local Axes: Using this tool the local axes can be set for nodes, 1D and 2D members.

View Parameters Labels

Using the tab page Labels, the labels for the various entities can be depicted. In the group Beam labels the following items can be depicted: Cross-section name: The name of the cross-section is plotted in the label. Cross-section type: The cross-section type is plotted in the label.

Length: The length of the bar is plotted in the label. Display labels: Only when this tick box is turned ON, the labels will be depicted on the graphical screen.
View parameters shortcuts

The toolbar on top of the Command line includes a number of frequently used options, amongst others: Show/hide surfaces Render geometry to display the surfaces of the sections. to obtain a rendered view of the bars.

28

SCIA Engineer Show/hide supports Show/hide loads to display the supports. to visualise the load case. to display the model data (hinges, connected nodes).

Show/hide other model data Show/hide node labels Show/hide member labels Set load case for display

to display the labels of the nodes to display the labels of the bars to modify the active load case. for a quick access to the options in the

Fast adjustment of view flags on whole model View parameters menu.

After rendering, the following structure is obtained:

29

SCIA Engineer

Input of the Calculation Data

Load Cases and Load Groups
Each load is attributed to a load case. A load case can contain different load types. To each load case, properties are attributed, which are determinant for the generation of combinations. The action type of a load case can be permanent or variable. Each variable load case is associated with a load group. The group contains information about the category of the load (service load, wind, snow) and its appearance (default, together, exclusive). In an exclusive group, the different loads attributed to the group cannot act together in a norm combination. For default combinations on the other hand, the combination generator allows the simultaneous action of the loads of a same group. The way, in which load cases are defined, is decisive for the load combinations created by the generator. We recommend that you thoroughly read the chapter about loads and combinations in the reference manual. In this project, two load cases are entered: - LC1: Dead Load - LC2: Life Load

Defining a Permanent Load Case

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Double-click on

in the Main window.

Before you can define loads, you first must enter load cases. Since this project does not contain any load cases yet, the Load Cases Manager will automatically appear. By default, the load case LC1 is created. This load is a permanent load of the Self Weight load type. The self weight of the structure is automatically calculated by means of this type. Since you will also manually enter loads in the first load case of this project (Roof Weight), you must change the Load Type to Standard. In the Description field, you can describe the content of this load case. For this project, enter the description Dead Load.

Defining a Variable Load Case

30

SCIA Engineer 1. 2. 3. 4. Click or to create a second load case.

Enter the description Live Load. As this is a variable load, change the Action type to Variable. The Load Group LG2 is automatically created. Click Group. to display the properties of the Load

The EC1-load type determines the coefficients that will be assigned to the load cases in this load group. In this project Cat A: Domestic is chosen. 5. Click [Close] to close the Load group manager and to return to the Load cases manager.

6.

Click [Close] to close the Load cases manager.

31

SCIA Engineer
Note: Load groups

Each load is classified in a group. These groups influence the combinations that are generated as well as the standard-dependant factors to be applied. The following logic is adopted. Variable load cases that are independent from each other are associated to different variable groups. For each group, you set the load category (see EC1). The combination factors from the Eurocode are generated from the available load groups. When a generated combination contains two load cases belonging to different groups, reduction factors will be applied for the transient loads. If the load is divisible, its different components are entered as individual load cases. As long as the load combination does not contain any variable load belonging to another group, no reduction factors may be applied. The different load cases of a divisible load are therefore associated to one variable group. Load cases of the same type that may not act together, are put into one group, which is made exclusive, e.g. Wind X and Wind -X are associated to one exclusive group Wind.

Loads
After input of the Load cases, the Loads menu will automatically appear: The first load case includes two loads: - Dead Load - Self Weight
Switching between load cases

Activate LC1 by selecting this load case with the mouse pointer in the list box::

32

SCIA Engineer

Input of self-weight of ribs as line loads

1. 2.

Cancel any possibly active selection by pressing <Esc>. Click on Line Force - on beam in the Loads Menu. The dialogue Line Force on beam appears.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

In the field Type, choose Self Weight. The Direction is the global Z-direction and the Gravity coefficient is set to 1, so that the load is acting vertically downwards. Confirm your input with [OK]. Select all the bars by means of the Select all Press <Esc> to finish the input. Press <Esc> once more to finish the selection. icon in the toolbar.

Input of self-weight of the slab as surface load

1. 2.

Cancel any possibly active selection by pressing <Esc>. Click on Surface load on 2D member in the Loadsmenu. The dialogue window Surface force will pop up

33

SCIA Engineer

3. 4. 5.

In the field Type, choose Self Weight. The Direction is the global Z-direction and the Gravity coefficient is set to 1, so that the load is acting vertically downwards. Confirm your input with [OK]. If there is only one slab in the project, the load will be automatically put on the slab.

The self-weight is depicted by a brown colour:

The entered loads are so-called self weight loads. The load caused by the non-structural topping will be added to the dead load load case. So that dead loads are combined into one load case. The live load is input as free loads on a part of the slab. For the live load a different load case will be used.

34

SCIA Engineer
Input of dead surface loads

1.

Click on Surface load on 2D element in the Loads menu. The dialogue window Surface force will pop up.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

The Type of the Surface load on 2D element will be set to Force . The Direction of the load is Z and the System is the global coordinate system GCS. This causes the fact that all loads in z-direction have a negative value. The Value of the surface load will be set to 2 kN/m. Confirm your input with [OK]. If there is only one slab in the project, the load will be automatically put on the slab.

35

SCIA Engineer
Switching between load cases

Activate LC1 by selecting this load case with the mouse pointer in the list box:

Input of live surface loads

1. 2.

Cancel any possibly active selection by pressing <Esc>. Click on Surface load free in the Loads menu. The dialogue window Surface force free will pop up.

36

SCIA Engineer

3.

For the field Type the Force is chosen. The Direction is the Z-direction in the coordinate system that you have chosen in System. We will choose global coordinate system for this exercise. The force is 5 kN/m and equally distributed over the surface. Confirm your input with [OK]. The program will asks us to define the outline polygon of the free surface load: Starting point: 8;9 <enter> 8;0 <enter> 16;0 <enter>

4. 5.

New circle arc intermediate point : 18;3 <enter> New circle arc intermediate point : 16;6 <enter> 11;6 <enter> 8;9 <enter> Right mouse click on New Polygon to close the input.

37

SCIA Engineer

Input of variable line load

1. 2.

Cancel any possibly active selection by pressing <Esc>. Click on Line Force on 2D member edge in the Loads menu. The dialogue window Line force on 2D member edge will pop up.

3. 4. 5.

For the field Type the Force is chosen. The Direction is the global Z-direction. The input value is 2.00 kN/m Confirm your input with [OK]. Select the four edges around the hole of the staircases.

38

SCIA Engineer 6. 7. Click on the right mouse button to finish the input. Click on <ESC> to cancel the selection.

Use the Fast adjustment of view flags on whole model icon on top of the Command line to activate the Labels of Loads option in the Loads/Masses group. A normal load is displayed in green.

Adapting a load

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Select the variable line loads by clicking on them with the left mouse button The common properties of the 4 series are displayed in the Properties window. Change the Value from 2.0 kN to 3.0 kN. Confirm your modification with <Enter>. Press <Esc> to finish the selection.

Input of a free line load 1. 3. Cancel any possibly active selection by pressing <Esc>. Click on Line Force free in the Loads menu. The dialogue window Free line load will pop up.

39

SCIA Engineer

4. 5. 6.

For the field Type the Force is chosen. We will enter a value of 2kN/m. The Direction is the global Z-direction. Confirm your input with [OK]. The dialogue window will disappear and the coordinates of the new free line load have to be entered. 1st free line load Starting point: 3;1 <enter> End point : 6;1 <enter> Right mouse click to end command Polyline . 2n free line load Starting point: 3;5 <enter> End point : 6;5 <enter> Right mouse click to end command Polyline .

7.

Click on the right mouse button to finish the input.

40

SCIA Engineer

Click [Close] to quit the Loads menu and to return to the Main window.

Note:

The Command line includes a number of predefined loads: enable a fast and simple input of loads.

, which

Combinations
After input of the load cases, the latter can be grouped in combinations. In this project, two linear combinations are created, one for the Ultimate Limit State and one for the Ultimate Serviceability State.

Defining Combinations

1.

Double-click on

below

in the Main window.

Since no combination has been entered yet, the window to create a new combination will automatically appear.

41

SCIA Engineer

2.

The Type of the combination is changed to EC ULS. With this combination type, SCIAESA PT will automatically generate combinations in accordance with the complex composition rules of the Eurocode. By means of the button [Add all], all load cases can be added to the combination. Confirm your input with [OK]. The Combination Manager is opened. Click or to create a second combination.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Change the Type of the combination to EC SLS char. Confirm your input with [OK]. Click [Close] to close the Combination manager.

42

SCIA Engineer

43

SCIA Engineer

Calculation and Mesh generation

The calculation of the slab will be done according to the finite element method. According to the calculation method a mesh will be generated on the slab and the results will be calculated in the internal nodes of each element. The result in the middle of a finite element is determined as the average value of the results in the four internal nodes of the element.

Mesh setup

1. 2.

In order to see the mesh setup, double click on The dialogue box Mesh setup pop up.

under

3.

The Average size of 2D element/curved element/nonlinear soil spring [m] will be used for the mesh generation if no local mesh refinements have been defined.

Generation of the mesh

4. 5.

In order to start the mesh generation you can start The program informs you that the mesh is generated and states the number of nodes and 1Dand 2D elements have be generated.
Note

In the calculation menu you can adjust the local mesh by clicking on local mesh refinement. The program gives you three possibilities. Node mesh refinement; refines the mesh around a node.

44

SCIA Engineer 2D member edge mesh refinement; refines the mesh along the edge or internal line of a plate . Surface mesh refinement; For the whole surface a denser mesh will be applied. This allows for a more detailed analysis of

Display of the mesh

1.

The mesh can be displayed using the shortcut button located at the bottom of the graphical screen >Structure > net.

2.

The precise settings can be adjusted using the menu item set view parameters for all located in the right mouse button menu.

3.

On the tab page Structure the display of the mesh can be toggled ON / OFF.

45

SCIA Engineer

4.

On the tab page Labels different labels for the mesh can be toggled ON / OFF.

46

SCIA Engineer

After the adjustment of the mesh and final generation of the mesh, the linear calculation can be started. A dense mesh will in many cases result in more adequate result, yet leading to more calculation time. If the mesh is not generated before the start of the calculation, the programme will automatically generate the mesh before starting the calculation.

Linear Calculation
As the calculation model is completely ready, you now can start the calculation.

Solver settings

1. 2.

Double click on

in the main window

The dialogue Solver setup will be depicted.

47

SCIA Engineer

3.

In the dialogue the bending theory of plate/shells can be selected.

Note

By activating the option Neglect shear force deformation (Ay, Ax >> A) the results of the calculation will be less accurate, but the results will be closer to a hand calculation. The bending theory of the plate/shell calculation gives one the choice between different calculation methods.

Executing the Linear Calculation

6.

Double-click on

below

in the Main window.

48

SCIA Engineer 7. The FE Analysis window appears. Click [OK] to start the calculation.

4.

After the calculation, a window announces that the calculation is finished. Click [OK] to close this window.

49

SCIA Engineer

Results
Reviewing results
After the execution of the linear analysis the results can be reviewed.

Reviewing reaction forces

1. 2. 3.

Double click on

in the Main Window. The Results service appears.

Click on Supports on Reactions. The options in the Property window will be configured as follows: The Selection field will be set to All.. The Type of Loads will be set to Combinations and the Combinations to CO1 Ultimate Limit State. The Values will be reviewed for Rz. The field Extreme will be changed to Node.

4.

The action Refresh has a red background, which means that the graphical screen needs to be refreshed. Click on the button behind Refresh in order to display the results on the graphical screen with the newly changed settings.

50

SCIA Engineer

5.

In order to display the results in table format, please use the action button Preview. Click on the button behind Preview in order to display the Preview screen.

Note:

The Preview appears between the graphical screen and the command line. This screen can be enlarged so more data can be reviewed.

51

SCIA Engineer
Reviewing internal forces on 2D elements

1. 2.

Click on 2D elements > 2D element - Internal Forces The options in the Property window have to be configured as follows: The Selection field will be set to All. The Type of Loads will be set to Combinations and Combination to CO1 Ultimate Limit State. The Values will be reviewed for mx. The field Extreme will be set to Global.

3.

Click on the button behind Refresh in order to review the results in the graphical screen for the chosen settings.

52

SCIA Engineer

For changing the display of the results the settings for the graphical screen have to be adjusted.
Results for (individual) ribs

1.

By clicking on the tick box Rib in the property window, the results will be adjusted in order to take into account the stiffness of the rib.

2.

Note the difference for the two ribs that are modelled. It is clear that the forces in the plate are reduced, because the joint stiffness of the slab and ribs is now considered.

53

SCIA Engineer
Setting the graphical screen

1.

Click in the Property window on the button for the graphical screen appear.

behind Drawing setup. The different options

2. 3.

For the group Display the option in the combo box Isobands will be chosen. The button Advanced settings allows setting the legend for the graphical screen.

54

SCIA Engineer

4. 5. 6.

Click on [OK] to accept the settings or on [Cancel] to ignore the selected settings. Click in the Property window on the button behind Refresh in order to display the results in the graphical screen for the chosen settings. Click on [Close] to leave the Results service.

Note:

In order to change the size of the displayed fonts please go to Setup > Fonts. In that menu the different dimensions for the labels can be set.

55

SCIA Engineer

Document
In this final part of the tutorial it will be explained how a document can be set up.
Setting up the document

1.

Double click on Document appears.

in the Main window of click on

in the button bar. The

The project data will be set automatically in the header of the document.

2.

Click on the button [New] at the bottom of the Document menu. The window New document item pops up.

3.

According this window different numerical data can be added to the document. Open the group Libraries and click on Materials. Click on [<<< Add] in order to add this item in the document.

56

SCIA Engineer

Click on Cross-sections. Click on [<<< Add] in order to add this item to the document. Open the group Structure and click on 2D members. Click on [<<< Add] in order to add this item to the document.

Open the group Results and click on Reactions. Click op [<<< Add] in order to add this item to the document.

4.

Click on [Close] to close the window New document item and to return to the document.

The items that were added to the document are depicted in the document tree. Dragging the items with the mouse can change the order of the document items. On the right side of the screen a preview of the document can be reviewed.

Depicting results in the document

1.

Click in the Document tree on Reactions. In the Property window the properties of the table will be depicted. The configuration of the parameters for the display of the results in the Document is done in the similar way as for the results in the Results service. The Selection field will be set to All. The Type of Loads will be set to Combinations and Combination on CO1 - Ultimate Limit State. The Values will be depicted for Rz.

57

SCIA Engineer

The field Extreme will be set to Node. 2. Click on the button document item. behind Refresh in order to set the chosen setting for the

Click on the button [Close] at the bottom of the Document tree in order to close the document and returning to the main screen.

58

SCIA Engineer
Adding a picture to the document

1. 2.

Click on the button Print Picture

in the button bar.

Choose the option Picture to document from the list in order to send the displayed screen of the selected graphical. The dialogue Insert item(s) into document pops up.

3. 4. 5.

The field Percentage of page height will be set to 50, so the picture will cover 50% of the A4 page. Accept the input with [OK] so the picture is send to the document. Click on in the button bar in order to open the Document.

59

SCIA Engineer 6. Click in the Document tree on Picture. The picture will be displayed in the preview of the document.

7.

Click on the button [Close] at the button of the Document tree in order to leave the document and to return to the main screen.

60