Do yu know the difference between GTSTRUDL v25 and 26?

Try http://gtstrudl.homestead.com/index.html

GT STRUDL Tips and Techniques
Highland Computers
http://go.to/highlandcomput
91379716 highlandcomput@hutchcity.com
Want to automatically compute prismatic section properties
Use the MEMBER DIMENSIONS command
Use the Create Cross-Section Property Grid dialog available under Modeling, Data Management

Repeated Tasks
Use a Startup Macro
Use a Common or Personal Macro
Model Changes
The old reliable ¡§CHANGES MODE¡¨ with commands.
Data Sheets
Edit pulldown in GTMenu
Manually edit the input file
Analysis/Performance
Analysis Problems
Perform Numerical Instability Analysis
    Was a Group called ¡¥spin¡¦ created?
    Look at your displacements and rotations from LIST JOINT DISPLACEMENTS.
    Animate the deformed shape in GTMenu.
Check for interference joints.
Remove duplicate joints, members, and elements.
Improve performance on large dynamic analysis problems that page excessively
Use a combination of SAVE/RESTORE  commands to compress the data base and defragment the page file.
This will be of benefit for problems that page extensively.
Want to reduce disk space for large dynamic analysis runs
Use the DYNAMIC PARAMETERS Command  for Transient Analysis (this will be even more critical with Nonlinear Dynamics):

    DYNAMIC PARAMETERS
        STORE VELOCITY OFF
        STORE ACCELERATION OFF

Want to speed up large dynamic analysis runs
Use External Files ¡V Prerelease Feature
DYNAMIC PARAMETERS
USE EXTERNAL FILE SOLVER
¡K..
END
Want to reduce time to compute dynamic analysis gross results
After performing eigenvalue solution, review modal participation with LIST DYNAMIC PARTICIPATION FACTORS
    
INACTIVE MODES that are not ¡§contributing¡¨
INACTIVE MODES 2 TO 6 10 TO 15
Want to compute all modes within a frequency range
Under EIGEN PARAMETERS, specify the FREQUENCY SPECS
UNITS CYCLES
EIGENPROBLEM PARAMETERS
SOLVE USING GTLANCZOS
FREQUENCY SPEC 0.0 TO 33.0

    Valid for GTLANCZOS only
Improve performance for large problems
Inactivate the screensaver
Buy More Memory,  $70 for 256MB now!
If you are buying a new computer, ask how many slots are available for memory and how much your motherboard can address.  Get at least 4 slots and be sure that your motherboard can access 1GB.
Do not page across the Network
Put your page file on a physical disk that does not contain the operating system
Incremental Nonlinear Analysis
FULL load may cause instabilities
Use a combination of FORM LOAD command and NONLINEAR ANALYSIS CONTINUE to converge to a more accurate solution

Want to speed up steel design and code checking
Reduce the number of design loadings
Reduce the number of sections.  Don¡¦t use the same number of sections for columns that you use for beams.
Turn SUMMARY OFF.  If members fail, turn SUMMARY ON only for the failed members.
Want to analyze a portion (ie. Elevation) of a structure
Generate a View containing the portion of the targeted structure
Go to FILE and Generate a Strudl Input File.  Select Current View.
Output
Want Maximum Structural Displacements
Use the LIST MAXIMUM DISPLACEMENTS SUMMARY ONLY
    command.
Which members are connected to which joint
Use the PRINT JOINT CONNECTIVITY command

Want member forces acting on each joint
Use the LIST JOINT FORCES  command

Want member section displacements relative to member chord
Use the CHORD option on the LIST SECTION DISPLACEMENTS command
Without it, the section displacements are absolute in the local coordinate system

Model Manipulation and Printing
Moving around the model in GTMenu
Use the arrow keys to Pan, Zoom, Rotate
In Version 26, you will be able to use the hotkeys to change views also.
Use the Mode Bar to select based on just simply clicking on a joint, member, or element or define Lines, Planes or Volumes
Moving around the model in GTMenu
Define views so you can easily return to a floor, frame, or portion of the model.
In Version 26, you will be able to define a view of the current display on the screen.

Mistake in Coordinates
Use the joint data sheet to edit the coordinates.  Sort the coordinates if you want to easily change all joints of a particular value.
Scale the model.  My coordinates are in feet but I created my model in inch units.
Increment the coordinates ¡V Edit joints.  Use the mode bar to select a plane, and then increment the coordinates.
Printing and Viewing
In the GTSTRUDL Output Window, Select View and select Fit Font to Screen
Select View and Options.  Select Print Black and White, Select Fit Font Size for Paper.
If you want a title at the top of each page, select Prompt Me for a Comment.
Printing and Viewing (cont)
Black and White Printer and you want Redraw Solid printed.  Change the color of members and elements to a lighter color.  White works great unless you are using a white background.
Use the Scope Editor to add annotation to the model, change the colors, add a border,¡Ketc.

GTSTRUDL v27 is now available.

Try http://www.gtstrudl.com
or http;//go.to/highlandcomput