Software Verification

PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000

REVISION NO.: 0

EXAMPLE 1-014
FRAME - EIGENVALUE PROBLEM

EXAMPLE DESCRIPTION
The SAP2000 eigenvalue computations are verified using vibrations of a
cantilever beam.

This example uses several models of an eight foot long cantilever concrete beam
with I22  I33. Each of the models has a different discretization. The first five
bending Eigen modes for each model are compared with the independent solution
provided in Clough and Penzien 1975.

Important Note: Only bending modes are calculated and compared. Shear
deformations are ignored by setting the frame property modification factor for
shear area to zero. Axial and torsional modes are excluded by excluding the Ux
and Rx degrees of freedom from the analysis.

GEOMETRY AND PROPERTIES

Discretization
Model A: 1 element 96 inches long
Model B: 2 elements each 48 inches long
Model C: 4 elements each 24 inches long
Model D: 6 elements each 16 inches long
Model E: 8 elements each 12 inch long
Model F: 10 elements each 9.6 inches long
Z Model G: 96 elements each 1 inch long

96"
Y
X
Material Properties Section Properties
E = 3,600 k/in2 b = 12 in
Mass per unit volume = 2.3E-07 k-sec2/in4 d = 18 in
A = 216 in2
I about global Y = 5,832 in4
I about global Z = 2,592 in4

EXAMPLE 1-014 - 1
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 0

TECHNICAL FEATURES OF SAP2000 TESTED

 Eigenvalue analysis of a frame with unequal moment of inertia values (I22 
I33) for bending modes
 Automatic frame subdivision

RESULTS COMPARISON
The independent results are calculated based on formulas presented on page 313
in Clough and Penzien 1975 for a cantilever beam with uniformly distributed
mass and constant EI.

Output Percent
Mode Parameter Model SAP2000 Independent Difference
A (1 elem) 0.054547 +43.53%
1
B (2 elems) 0.042333 +11.39%

C (4 elems) 0.039090 +2.85%

First
mode Period, sec D (6 elems) 0.038485 0.038005 +1.26%
for
bending E (8 elems) 0.038273 +0.71%
about
the F (10 elems) 0.038175 +0.45%
Z-axis
G (96 elems) 0.038003 -0.01%

A (1 elem) 0.036364 +43.52%

2
B (2 elems) 0.028222 +11.39%

C (4 elems) 0.026060 +2.85%

First
mode Period, sec D (6 elems) 0.025657 0.025337 +1.26%
for
bending E (8 elems) 0.025516 +0.71%
about
the F (10 elems) 0.025450 +0.45%
Y-axis
G (96 elems) 0.025335 -0.01%

EXAMPLE 1-014 - 2
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 0

Output Percent
Mode Parameter Model SAP2000 Independent Difference
A (1 elem) N.A. N.A.
3
B (2 elems) 0.008218 +35.52%

C (4 elems) 0.006651 +9.68%

Second
mode Period, sec D (6 elems) 0.006330 0.006064 +4.39%
for
bending E (8 elems) 0.006214 +2.47%
about
the F (10 elems) 0.006160 +1.58%
Z-axis
G (96 elems) 0.006065 +0.02%

A (1 elem) N.A. N.A.

4
B (2 elems) 0.005479 +35.52%

C (4 elems) 0.004434 +9.67%

Second
mode Period, sec D (6 elems) 0.004220 0.004043 +4.38%
for
bending E (8 elems) 0.004143 +2.47%
about
the F (10 elems) 0.004107 +1.58%
Y-axis
G (96 elems) 0.004043 0%

A (1 elem) N.A. N.A.

5
B (2 elems) N.A. N.A.

C (4 elems) 0.002511 +15.98%

Third
mode Period, sec D (6 elems) 0.002321 0.002165 +7.21%
for
bending E (8 elems) 0.002254 +4.11%
about
the F (10 elems) 0.002222 +2.63%
Z-axis
G (96 elems) 0.002166 +0.05%

EXAMPLE 1-014 - 3
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 0

Note that the SAP2000 results for models A, B, C, D, E, F and G are for lumped
mass analyses, with masses lumped 96 inches, 48 inches, 24 inches, 16 inches,
12 inches, 9.6 inches and 1 inch apart, respectively, whereas the independent
solution is derived for a uniformly distributed mass.

COMPUTER FILES: Example 1-014a, Example 1-014b, Example 1-014c, Example 1-014d,
Example 1-014e, Example 1-014f, Example 1-014g

CONCLUSION
The SAP2000 results show an acceptable match with the independent solution as
long as the discretization of the beam is sufficient for the lumped mass analysis
to approximate the uniform mass distribution. In this example, the cantilever
beam needs to be discretized into a number of elements equal to at least three
times the vibration mode considered to obtain acceptable comparison with the
independent results. For example, when considering a second mode of vibration
(SAP2000 mode numbers 3 and 4 in this example), the beam needs to be
discretized into at least 2 * 3 = 6 elements.

EXAMPLE 1-014 - 4
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 0

HAND CALCULATION

EXAMPLE 1-014 - 5
Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 0

EXAMPLE 1-014 - 6