Simple Beam Reactions

[CWEngineer]

I am trying to learn how to use SAP 2000 (Version 9). I have gone over a few examples in Help Menu.

Example H, is a two span beam which is something I am kind of looking for, but does not have all the info I need.

I am trying to input a two span beam with with uniform dead and live load and determine the moment and shear reactions due to that loading at the restraints of the two span beam. I also want to verify the SAP 2000 results with my calculations.

I think if I can do this problem, I will definately be able to learn from this to determine reactions due to more complicated loadings.

I really appreciate your help, in helping me find a tutorial or where I can find what I am looking for.

THANKS

 

[masomenos]

You can draw frames with or without grids but using grids is usually easier. Draw frame/line then mouse click to draw. Note that the properties box which appears has a default section and connection (continous moment) which you can change by clicking on them. If you want to change to another section which is not in the list. Go to Define menu and either Import a standard steel section or 'Add' a nonstandard steel section or concrete section using the Add menu.

Select joints and go to Assign menu>Joint>restraints to assign joints. You can pick which DOF you want to restrain joints (pinner, roller, etc).

If you want to assign a Live load, you'll need to go to the Define menu>Load case and add a Live load case. Careful not to have more than 1 load case with a selfweight multiplier of 1 or you will double count selfweight in load combinations. If you want to ignore selfweight and assign Dead loads yourself, modify the Dead selfweight multiplier to 0.

Now you're ready to Assign menu>Frame/cable loads>Distributed to assign uniform live and/or Dead loads. Make sure that you have selected the correct load case from the drop-down list before making your load assignment. right click the frames after making your assignment and go to Loads tab to check whether your load assignments are correct. Make sure to check units before making load assignments and afterward when checking

Please note that there is a Assign menu>Frame/cable and another Assign for Frame/cable loads