Non-Linear Static (Pushover) Analysis

Nonlinear static pushover analysis capabilities are provided in the nonlinear version of
SAP2000 only. The nonlinear behavior occurs in discrete user-defined hinges. Currently,
hinges can be introduced into frame objects only and assigned at any location along the frame
object. Uncoupled moment, torsion, axial force and shear hinges are available. There is also a
coupled P-M2-M3 hinge that yields based on the interaction of axial force and bending
moments at the hinge location. More than one type of hinge can exist at the same location; for
example, both an M3 (moment) and a V2 (shear) hinge may be assigned to the same end of a
frame object. For more information about hinges, see Hinge Properties.
A pushover analysis can consist of more than one pushover load case. Each pushover load
case can have a different distribution of load on the structure. For example, a typical pushover
analysis might consist of three pushover load cases. The first would apply gravity load to the
structure, the second would apply one distribution of lateral load over the height of the
structure, and the third would apply another distribution of lateral load over the height of the
structure. There are four different methods of describing the distribution of load on the
structure for a pushover load case:
1. A uniform acceleration can be automatically applied. In that case, the lateral force
automatically applied at each node is proportional to the mass tributary to that node.
2. A lateral force that is proportional to the product of a specified mode shape times its
circular frequency squared (2) times the mass tributary to a node can be
automatically applied at each node. The user may specify the mode shape to be used
in that instance.
3. An arbitrary static load pattern may be defined.
4. Any of the methods described in 1, 2 and 3 can be combined.
Several types of output can be obtained from the nonlinear static pushover analysis:
1. Base shear versus displacement at a specified control joint can be plotted.
2. Base shear versus displacement at a specified control joint can be plotted in the ADRS
format where the vertical axis is spectral acceleration and the horizontal axis is
spectral displacement. The demand spectra can be superimposed on that plot.
3. The sequence of hinge formation and the color-coded state of each hinge can be
viewed graphically, on a step-by-step basis, for each step of the pushover.
4. The member forces can be viewed graphically, on a step-by-step basis, for each step
of the analysis.
5. Tabulated values of base shear versus displacement at each point along the pushover
curve, along with tabulations of the number of hinges beyond certain control points on

their hinge property force-displacement curve can be viewed on the screen, printed, or
saved to a file.
6. Tabulated values of the capacity spectrum (ADRS capacity and demand curves), the
effective period and the effective damping can be viewed on the screen, printed, or
saved to a file.
The following general sequence of steps is involved in a nonlinear static pushover analysis:

1. Create a model.
2. Define arbitrary static load cases, if needed, for use in the pushover analysis.
Note that the program also has built-in capability to define the distribution of lateral
load over the height of the structure based on both uniform acceleration and mode
shapes.
Define Loads Cases
Form: Define Load Cases, Load Case Tree
A load case defines how loads are to be applied to the structure, and how the structural
response is to be calculated. An unlimited number of named load cases of any type can be
defined in SAP2000. The load case(s) is selected when the model is analyzed.
Note: Load patterns by themselves do not create any response (deflections, stresses, and so
forth). A load case must be defined to apply the load.
Before defining load cases, define any load patterns or functions that will be needed:
For seismic analysis, the ground-acceleration loads are already built-in and do not
need to be defined. For all other loads, use the Define menu > Load Patterns
command to define the loads to be applied.
For response-spectrum analysis, use the Define menu > Response Spectrum
Functions command to create the necessary input acceleration functions.

For time-history analysis, use the Define menu > Time History Functions command
to input the time functions.

For moving-load analysis, use the various options available under the Define menu
> Moving Loads command to define paths, vehicle live loads, and classes of vehicle
live loads.
Tip: Every time a new load pattern is defined, the program automatically creates a
corresponding linear static load case of the same name that applies the load. For a new
model, the program creates a default load pattern called DEAD, which applies the self weight
of the structure. The corresponding linear static analysis pattern is also called DEAD.
Use the Define menu > Load Cases command to access the Define Load Cases form and add,
modify, or delete cases. Use the following buttons on the form to achieve the required
action:
Add New Load Case button.

1. Click the Add New Load Case button to display the Load Case Data form.
2. Use the various options on the Load Case Data form to define the new load
case.
Add Copy of Load Case button. Highlight an existing load case in the Load Case
Name/Load Case Type display areas.

1. Click the Add Copy of Load Case button to display the Load Case Data
form and create a new load case based on the settings of the selected case.
2. Use the various options on the Load Case Data form to change the
necessary options to define a new load case.

Modify/Show Load Case button.

1.

Highlight an existing load case in the Load Case Name/Load Case Type
display areas.

Delete Load Case button.

1.

Highlight an existing load case in the Load Case Name/Load Case Type
display areas.

2.

Click the Delete Load Case button to delete the load case.

Move Case Up or Down in List Click on an existing load case to select it, then
click the Up Arrow or Down Arrow button next to the case list to move the selected
case upward or downward in the list. Rearranging the case list is primarily for
viewing convenience. A load case may depend upon other load cases that are above
or below it in the list. During analysis, the cases will be run in the order required by
their dependencies. For example, a response-spectrum case may be listed before the
modal analysis case upon which it depends. When the analysis is run, the program
will automatically run the modal analysis case first to generate the modes needed by
the response-spectrum case.
Initial Conditions Nonlinear

3.

For nonlinear analyses, specify the initial conditions at the start of the analysis:
Zero Initial Conditions - Start from Unstressed State the structure has zero
Definedisplacement
the pushover
load
and velocity,
all cases.
elements are unstressed, and there is no history of
nonlinear deformation.
Continue from State at End of Nonlinear Case the displacements, velocities,
stresses, loads, energies, and nonlinear deformation histories from the end of a
previous analysis are carried forward. Note that this option is available after a
nonlinear load case has been created in the model. Use the drop-down list to choose
the "previous" analysis.
Important: An unlimited number of sequences or branches of nonlinear load cases
can be created. However, be sure that the first case in every sequence or tree of
nonlinear cases starts from Zero Initial Conditions.
When continuing from the state at the end of the nonlinear case, the following
restrictions apply:
o Nonlinear static and nonlinear direct-integration time-history cases may be
chained together in any combination, i.e., both types of analysis are
compatible with each other.
o Nonlinear modal time-history (FNA) cases can only continue from other
FNA cases that use modes from the same modal load case.
Note: When continuing from the state at the end of a nonlinear case, all
applied loads specified for the present load case are incremental, i.e., they are
added to the loads already acting at the end of the nonlinear case.
When considering a sequence of FNA cases, static loading may be applied by
defining a case in which:
o The loads are applied using a ramp function that ramps-up over a length of
time that is long (for example ten times) compared to the first period of the
structure, and then held constant for an equal length of time.
o Modal damping is set to a high value; for example 0.99.
Note: Linear time-history load cases always start from Zero Initial Conditions.

Display the Initial Conditions options on the Load Case Data form as follows:

1. Click the Define menu > Load Cases command to display the Define Load
Cases form.
2. Click the Add New Load Case button, or highlight a previously defined case and
Geometric Nonlinearity Parameters
The geometric nonlinearity options available for nonlinear static and nonlinear direct-integration timehistory analysis consist of the following:
None option. All equilibrium equations are considered in the undeformed configuration of the
structure.
P-Delta option. The equilibrium equations take into partial account the deformed configuration
of the structure. Tensile forces tend to resist the rotation of elements and stiffen the structure, and
compressive forces tend to enhance the rotation of elements and destabilize the structure. This
may require a moderate amount of iteration
P-Delta plus Large Displacements option. All equilibrium equations are written in the
deformed configuration of the structure. This may require a large amount of iteration. Although
large displacement and large rotation effects are modeled, all strains are assumed to be small.
Tips: The large displacement option should be used for cable structures undergoing significant
deformation, and for buckling analysis, particularly for snap-through buckling and post-buckling
behavior. Cables (modeled using frame objects) and other elements that undergo significant relative
rotations within the element should be divided into smaller elements to satisfy the requirement that the
strains and rotations within an element are small.
For most other structures, the P-delta option is adequate, particularly when material nonlinearity
dominates. If reasonable, it is recommended that the analysis be performed first without geometric
nonlinearity, adding P-delta, and possibly large-displacement effects later.
When continuing one analysis case from another, it is recommended that they both have the same
geometric-nonlinearity settings.
Note: Geometric nonlinearity is not available for the FNA method.

4. Define hinge properties.

5. Assign hinge properties to frame elements.
6. Run the pushover analysis by selecting a static nonlinear load case on the
Set Load Cases to Run form. The load case will be available only if there
is at least one frame object with a hinge property assigned to it, and there
is at least one pushover load case defined. If frame objects are specified
to be designed by the program, this design automatically will be
performed before the pushover analysis routine begins.
7. Review the pushover results.
8. If necessary, revise the model and repeat steps 2 through 7.