C O M P U TE R S &

S TR U C TU R ES
IN C .

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PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 0

EXAMPLE 2-013
SHELL –TEMPERATURE LOAD THAT IS CONSTANT THROUGH SHELL THICKNESS

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
In this example a rectangular plate with irregularly shaped elements is subjected
to a temperature load that is constant through the thickness of the plate. The
geometry and properties for the plate are the same as those described for the
patch test in MacNeal and Harder 1985. Joint displacements and stresses
resulting from the temperature load are compared with hand calculated results.

The original temperature for the example is 60 °F; the temperature load consists
of raising the temperature to 160 °F, a 100 °F temperature increase. In SAP2000
the reference temperature is specified as 60 °F and the temperature load assigned
to the shell elements is specified as 160 °F.

Two different models are created for this example. The models are identical,
except for the joint restraints. Model A has a fixed restraint at joint 1, thus
allowing free expansion of the plate. Model B has pinned restraints at the four
corner joints (joints 1, 2, 7 and 8), thus restraining the temperature expansion.

GEOMETRY, PROPERTIES AND LOADING

0.24"
Joint Coordinates (inches)
Joint X Y Z
2 8
4 1 0 0 0
4 6 2 0 0.12 0
0.12"

1 5 3 0.04 0.02 0
3 4 0.08 0.08 0
Y 5 0.18 0.03 0
3 2 5
Z 1 7 6 0.16 0.08 0
7 0.24 0 0
1 - Joint number 8 0.24 0.12 0
X
- Area object number
Material Properties Section Properties
E = 1,000,000 lb/in2 Thickness = 0.001 in
Ȟ = 0.25
Joint Restraint
Ȗ = Coeff. thermal exp.
= 5.5E-06 Model A: Joint 1 has Ux, Uy, Uz, Rx , Ry and Rz restrained
Model B: Joints 1, 2, 7 and 8 have Ux, Uy and Uz restrained

EXAMPLE 2-013 - 1
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S TR U C TU R ES
IN C .

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PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 0

TECHNICAL FEATURES OF SAP2000 TESTED

¾ Temperature loading for shell elements
¾ Reference temperature for shell elements

RESULTS COMPARISON
The independent results are hand calculated based on Equation 1.3.4 on page 9 in
Cook and Young 1985. The results for the thin plate option and the thick plate
option are presented separately.

Thin Plate Option

Output Percent
Model Parameter SAP2000 Independent Difference
Ux (jt 8) in 0.000132 0.000132 0%
A
Uy (jt 8) in 0.000066 0.000066 0%
Free
σxx (jt 8) lb/in2 0 0 0%
expansion
σyy (jt 8) lb/in2 0 0 0%
Ux (jt 8) in 0 0 0%
B Uy (jt 8) in 0 0 0%
Restrained σxx (jt 8) lb/in2 -733.33 -733.33 0%
σyy (jt 8) lb/in2 -733.33 -733.33 0%

EXAMPLE 2-013 - 2
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Thick Plate Option

Output Percent
Model Parameter SAP2000 Independent Difference
Ux (jt 8) in 0.000132 0.000132 0%
A
Uy (jt 8) in 0.000066 0.000066 0%
Free
σxx (jt 8) lb/in2 0 0 0%
expansion
σyy (jt 8) lb/in2 0 0 0%
Ux (jt 8) in 0 0 0%
B Uy (jt 8) in 0 0 0%
Restrained σxx (jt 8) lb/in2 -733.33 -733.33 0%
σyy (jt 8) lb/in2 -733.33 -733.33 0%

COMPUTER FILES: Example 2-013a-thick, Example 2-013a-thin;

Example 2-013b-thick, Example 2-013b-thin

CONCLUSION
The SAP2000 results show an exact comparison with the independent results for
both the thin plate option and the thick plate option.

EXAMPLE 2-013 - 3
 C O M P U TE R S &
S TR U C TU R ES
IN C .

R Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 0

HAND CALCULATION

EXAMPLE 2-013 - 4