Modelling Slabs and beams in SAP2000
Modelling Slabs and beams in SAP2000
(OP)
I am trying to model a slab-frame RC structure.I used the 3D frame Beam-Slab Building template in order to generate the model.My question is-
Does the template account for the offset needed between the centroid of the slab section and the centroid of the beam underneath?
If not, I might need to put an offset in the centroids using a stiff beam element to connect the nodes of the beams and the slab centroids.
2)Can this be done using the cardinal points and other offset features in SAP2000?
Does the template account for the offset needed between the centroid of the slab section and the centroid of the beam underneath?
If not, I might need to put an offset in the centroids using a stiff beam element to connect the nodes of the beams and the slab centroids.
2)Can this be done using the cardinal points and other offset features in SAP2000?





RE: Modelling Slabs and beams in SAP2000
Alternatively if you don't use the template, you can draw your frames offset from the slab and connect them using joint constraints, which will also account for the moment differentials which result from those offset distances.
RE: Modelling Slabs and beams in SAP2000
RE: Modelling Slabs and beams in SAP2000
Another question about the slab-beam connections.
I looked up the reference manual and it says- "The body constraint can be used to connect frame elements that are acting as eccentric stiffeners to shell elements"
1)How is it different from the joint constraint?
2)Can the edge constraint be used in this case?
Thank you
RE: Modelling Slabs and beams in SAP2000
1) The body constraint is a type of joint constraint, probably the most commonly used type, as you can connect joints in any or all DOF
2) The edge constraint is something different. It acts only to "zip together" mismatched meshes of adjacent elements. In other words, adjacent elements where not all joints match together perfectly