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StruCAD*3D / ZenScad
Import Manual
for
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1 Introduction
1.1 Import a StruCAD*3D File 1
1.2 Review Import Log 2
2 Read the StruCAD*3D Input File
2.1 Input File Format 1
2.2 Cards Read 1
3 Translate the Model to SAP2000
3.1 Data Control Specification 1
3.1.1 TITLE Card 1
3.1.2 OPTIONS Card 2
3.1.3 LDOPT Card 2
3.1.4 UNITI Card 3
3.1.5 DLCASE Card 3
3.1.6 TMPOPT Card 3
3.1.7 SECLIB Card 4
3.2 Joint Specification 4
3.2.1 JOINT Card 4
3.2.2 PERSET Card 5
3.2.3 ELASTC Card 6
3.3 Member Specification 6
3.3.1 SECT Card 6
3.3.2 GRUP Card 7
3.3.3 GRUPL Card 9
3.3.4 CGRP Card 9
3.3.5 MEMBER Card 11
3.4 Finite Element Specification 12
3.4.1 PGRUP Card 12
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StruCAD*3D / ZenScad Import
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1 Introduction
This manual describes the capabilities for importing StruCAD*3D (or ZenScad) models into
SAP2000. StruCAD*3D Version 4.3 files are currently handled. Models from other versions
should also import, although this has not been thoroughly tested.
It is important to read this entire manual before importing a StruCAD*3D model in order to be-
come familiar with any limitations of the import or assumptions that have been made.
The process of importing a StruCAD*3D model is broken into two main steps, namely
Chapter 2 of this manual describes the first step of reading the StruCAD*3D input file, while
Chapter 3 describes in detail the translation of the StruCAD*3D model into a SAP2000 model.
The first step of the import process reads the StruCAD*3D file to determine the contents of the
model. If the file is successfully read, the import process automatically begins. An import log,
similar to the one shown in Figure 1-3, is displayed, providing information on the status of the
import process. Upon completion of the import process, the import log remains on the screen
and should be reviewed before proceeding.
Messages these messages are for information purposes only and do not affect the impor-
ted model. Typical messages tell the number of objects read or imported.
Warnings these messages highlight items which should be reviewed after importing the
model. Typically these messages are related to assumptions made during the translation pro-
cess where there is not a direct one-to-one translation.
Errors these messages highlight items which resulted in an error during the import pro-
cess and should be resolved before using the imported model. Typically these messages are
related to incorrect values in the StruCAD*3D file or an issue during the translation pro-
cess.
The import log should be reviewed after the import process is complete and any issues should
be resolved before proceeding to use the imported model. It is also recommended that the im-
ported model be checked for accuracy.
This chapter describes the process of reading the StruCAD*3D input file which is the first step
in the import process. The StruCAD*3D input file format is described in Chapter 5 of the Stru-
CAD*3D (ZenScad) User's Manual [GAI 2003].
Control Specification
Element Specification
Joint Specification
Member Specification
Load Specification
This chapter describes the translation of the StruCAD*3D model to SAP2000. Only the cards
defined in Chapter 3 as being read in are discussed in this chapter. Note that not all features on
each card type are imported, so it is important to review the following sections to determine
what parts of the model are imported.
The StruCAD*3D input file format is described in Chapter 5 of the StruCAD*3D (ZenScad)
User's Manual [GAI 2003]. For further information about a particular feature or capability of
SAP2000, refer to the SAP2000 manuals available from the Help menu > Documentation...
command or to the interactive help, available from the Help menu > Contents and Index...
command.
Load Options
SAP2000 Usage StruCAD*3D Field
Steel frame preferences design code Code Check Options
Table 3.1: OPTIONS "card" translaiton
Load Options
SAP2000 Usage StruCAD*3D Field
not translated Create Output File
not translated Flooding Option
not translated Water Density
GRUP and GRUPL steel density default Steel Density
not translated Mudline Elevation
not translated Water Depth
not translated Hydrostatic Collapse Analysis Option
Perform Hydrostatic Collapse Analysis on Flooded
not translated
Members
CGRP concrete density default Concrete Density
not translated Enclosed Material Density
not translated Encasing Material Density
not translated Grout Density
not translated Marine Growth Density
Table 3.2: LDOPT "card" translation
If a new SAP2000 model is created, the default database units are set based on the default unit
system defined in the UNITI card as follows.
Temperature Options
SAP2000 Usage StruCAD*3D Field
not translated Reference Temperature
Coefficient of thermal expansion for steel material Steel Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
properties generated from GRUP and GRUPL cards
Coefficient of thermal expansion for concrete material Concrete Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
properties generated from CGRP cards
Table 3.3: TMPOPT "card" translation
Section Libraries
SAP2000 Library StruCAD*3D Library
AISCASD9.pro AISC1
AISCLRFD3.pro AISC2
not translated BRIT1
not translated JAPN1
not translated EURO1
Table 3.4: SECLIB "card" translation
Joint Properties
SAP2000 Field StruCAD*3D Field
X X-coordinate larger + X-coordinate smaller value
Y Y-coordinate larger + Y-coordinate smaller value
Z Z-coordinate larger + Z-coordinate smaller value
Restraint Fixed in Translation Along the X-axis
Fixed in Translation Along the Y-axis
Fixed in Translation Along the Z-axis
Fixed in Rotation About the X-axis
Fixed in Rotation About the Y-axis
Fixed in Rotation About the Z-axis
not translated Exclude
Table 3.5: JOINT "card" translation
Section Types
SAP2000 Field StruCAD*3D Field
not translated Section Label
I/Wide flange WF wide flange
Pipe TUB tube section
Tube BOX box section
Channel CHN channel section
Double Channel DCH double channel section back to back
not translated DCB double channel section face to face
Angle ANG single angle section
Double Angle DAN double angle section
General PRI prismatic element
Tee TEE tee section
not translated CTB concentric tube with grout
not translated CON cone frustum tubular member
not translated PLG plate girder
Rectangular RBM uniaxial rectangular concrete beam
Rectangular RBB biaxial rectangular concrete beam
Tee TBM uniaxial concrete T-beam
Tee TBB biaxial concrete T-beam
Circular COL circular concrete column
Rectangular REC rectangular concrete column
Table 3.8: SECT card shape translation
Material Properties
SAP2000 Field StruCAD*3D Field
Material Name N/A taken as SCAD# where # is a unique number
Material Type N/A taken as Steel
Weight per Unit Volume Steel Density
Mass per Unit Volume N/A automatically calculated by SAP2000
Modulus of Elasticity Modulus of Elasticity
Poisson's Ratio N/A calculated from the elastic and shear moduli
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion N/A taken from TMPOPT card
Shear Modulus Shear Modulus Elasticity
Minimum Yield Stress Minimum Yield Stress
Minimum Tensile Stress N/A taken as 1.3*Fy
Effective Yield Stress N/A taken as 1.1*Fy
Effective Tensile Stress N/A taken as 1.1*Fu
not translated Minimum Yield Stress for Web of PLG
Table 3.9: GRUP "card" material properties translation
The section properties are used to define new frame section properties in SAP2000. Table 3.10
shows the mapping to the frame section properties.
Section Properties
SAP2000 Field StruCAD*3D Field
Section Name SCAD + Group ID
N/A based on the name assigned to the material
Material
properties on the GRUP or SECT card
Outside Diameter (Pipe Section) Tube Outer Diameter
Wall Thickness (Pipe Section) Tube Wall Thickness
not translated Segment Length
not translated Hot-rolled vs Built-up
Table 3.10: GRUP "card" section properties translation
Additional fields in the GRUP card are translated according to the mapping in Table 3.11.
Material Properties
SAP2000 Field StruCAD*3D Field
Material Name N/A taken as SCAD# where # is a unique number
Material Type N/A taken as Concrete
Weight per Unit Volume Weight Density of Concrete
Mass per Unit Volume N/A automatically calculated by SAP2000
Modulus of Elasticity Young's Modulus of Elasticity
Poisson's Ratio N/A calculated from the elastic and shear moduli
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion N/A taken from TMPOPT card
Shear Modulus Shear Modulus Elasticity
Specified Concrete Compressive Strength Compressive Strength of Concrete
Lightweight Concrete Concrete Type Flag
Shear Strength Reduction Factor N/A taken as 1
Table 3.12: CGRP "card" material properties translation
The section properties are used to define new frame section properties in SAP2000. Table 3.13
shows the mapping to the frame section properties.
Section Properties
SAP2000 Field StruCAD*3D Field
Section Name SCAD + Group ID
N/A based on the name assigned to the material
Material
properties on the CGRP or SECT card
Depth or Diameter Diameter or Z-dimension (depth)
Width Y-dimension (width)
not translated Associated Rebar Label
Property Modifier Torsional Constant Cracked Section Reduction Factor Ix
Property Modifier Moment of Inertia About 3 Axis Cracked Section Reduction Factor Iy
Property Modifier Moment of Inertia About 2 Axis Cracked Section Reduction Factor Iz
Table 3.13: CGRP "card" section properties translation
Additional fields in the CGRP card are translated according to the mapping in Table 3.14.
3 - 10 Member Specification
Chapter 3 Translate the Model to SAP2000
Additional fields in the MEMBER card are translated according to the mapping in Table 3.16.
Member Specification 3 - 11
StruCAD*3D / ZenScad Import
Material Properties
SAP2000 Field StruCAD*3D Field
Material Name N/A taken as SCAD# where # is a unique number
Material Type N/A taken as Steel
Weight per Unit Volume Structural Weight Density
Mass per Unit Volume N/A automatically calculated by SAP2000
Modulus of Elasticity Modulus of Elasticity
Poisson's Ratio Poisson's Ratio
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion N/A taken from TMPOPT card
Shear Modulus N/A automatically calculated by SAP2000
Minimum Yield Stress Minimum Yield Stress
Minimum Tensile Stress N/A taken as 1.3*Fy
Effective Yield Stress N/A taken as 1.1*Fy
Effective Tensile Stress N/A taken as 1.1*Fu
Table 3.17: PGRUP "card" material properties translation
The section properties are used to define new area section properties in SAP2000. Table 3.18
shows the mapping to the section properties.
Section Properties
SAP2000 Field StruCAD*3D Field
Section Name SCAD + Plate Group ID
Type N/A taken as Shell-Thick
N/A based on the name assigned to the material properties on
Material Name
the PGRUP card
Material Angle N/A taken as 0
Thickness Membrane Plate Thickness
Thickness Bending Plate Thickness
Stiffness Modifiers N/A not set, defaults assumed
Table 3.18: PGRUP "card" section properties translation
Additional fields in the PGRUP card are translated according to the mapping in Table 3.19.
Area Object
SAP2000 Field StruCAD*3D Field
Label Plate Name
Point 1 1st Joint ID
Point 2 2nd Joint ID
Point 3 3rd Joint ID
Point 4 4th Joint ID
Section Name Plate Group ID
Table 3.20: PLATE "card" object translation
If material properties are specified, they overwrite the values specified on the PGRUP cards
or in global definitions. Table 3.21 shows the mapping to the material properties.
Material Properties
SAP2000 Field StruCAD*3D Field
Material Name N/A taken as SCAD# where # is a unique number
Material Type N/A taken as Concrete
Weight per Unit Volume Steel Density
Mass per Unit Volume N/A automatically calculated by SAP2000
Modulus of Elasticity Modulus of Elasticity
Poisson's Ratio Poisson's Ratio
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion N/A taken from TMPOPT card
Shear Modulus N/A automatically calculated by SAP2000
Minimum Yield Stress Minimum Yield Stress
Minimum Tensile Stress N/A taken as 1.3*Fy
Effective Yield Stress N/A taken as 1.1*Fy
Effective Tensile Stress N/A taken as 1.1*Fu
Table 3.21: PLATE "card" material properties translation
Additional fields in the PLATE card are translated according to the mapping in Table 3.22.
weight condition. Note that weights defined under a WGHTCN card are translated to equivalent
loads in these load patterns only. These load patterns are further used in mass source definitions
for defining the inertia load for dynamic analysis. Table 3.23 shows the mapping to the load pat-
terns.
When importing a LOADCN card that is followed by a CENTER card and optionally an AC-
CEL card, the SAP2000 loadcase is built-up based on various load patterns that are created
when importing the CENTER and ACCEL cards. NOTE: the scale factors used in a load case
that includes CENTER and ACCEL cards are length unit dependent and should always be con-
sidered and edited using kip-ft units.
Center Data
SAP2000 Field StruCAD*3D Field
Mass source used to define the weight/mass associated 'D' Consider Dead Weight
with this condition has the self-mass of the structure
enabled.
Center of rotation coordinates for an auto-seastate load X-coordinate of Center of Rotation
pattern.
Y-coordinate of Center of Rotation
Z-coordinate of Center of Rotation
Inertia load parameters for an auto-seastate load pattern Rotation Angle about X
based on rotations/translations.
Period of Rotation about X
Rotation Angle about Y
Period of Rotation about Y
Heave Amplitude
Heave Period
Table 3.32: CENTER "card" combination translation
Center Data
SAP2000 Field StruCAD*3D Field
Inertia load parameters for an auto-seastate load pattern X-translational Acceleration
based on accelerations/velocities.
Y-translational Acceleration
Z-translational Acceleration
X-rotational Acceleration
Y-rotational Acceleration
Z-rotational Acceleration
X-rotational Velocity
Y-rotational Velocity
Z-rotational Velocity
Table 3.33: ACCEL "card" combination translation
GAI 2003. ZenScad User's Manual. Guntur and Associates, Inc. 2003
References i