Sap2000 Code Check

[ztbeach]

When using Sap2000 V.10 code check, how does sap treat unbraced lengths. Currently, I have a 45ft beam. However, since there are bracing and other beams coming into the 45ft beam, there are 2 noded equaly spaced along the beam. Therefore, the 45ft beam is broken into 3 15ft beam segments. The end of the beam is a pin-pin and the segements are continously connected. When sap does a code check for the beam, it is looking at each individual element and taking the length of each individual element to calculate kl/r ratio. How do I get sap to take the entire length of the beam to calculate kl/r, istead of the length of each element? I am using the ASD-9th edition code check.

Thanks,

 

[agostage]

If there are bracing elements at those points, then your unbraced length would be the segmented lengths in that plane. However, SAP does have issues with frames that are not at right angles and sometimes assigns the incorrect lengths. In that case you can manipulate the 'length factor' by right-clicking on the member in question, click on the 'overwrites' button and change the 'unbraced length ratio' to 3 in your case. This factor will be multiplied by the member segmented length and used in the kl/r calculation. Make sure you change the proper ratio as there are a few of them.