Software Verification

PROGRAM NAME: REVISION NO.:

SAP2000 2

EXAMPLE 5-007
SOLID HEMISPHERICAL DOME STRUCTURE WITH STATIC LOADS PROBLEM DESCRIPTION In this example, a hemispherical dome structure, modeled using solid objects, is analyzed for the effects of four 2-kip edge point loads alternating in sign at 90 intervals around the equator of the hemisphere. The deflections at the locations where the point loads are applied, in the direction of the point loads, are compared with published independent results. The geometry, properties and loading are as suggested in MacNeal and Harder 1985. The 0.04-foot-thick hemispherical shell has a 10-foot radius. A hole is introduced at the top of the hemisphere, as shown in the figure on the following page, to avoid triangular elements at the top of the hemisphere. The top and bottom edges of the hemisphere are free. As suggested in MacNeal and Harder 1985, only a quarter of the hemispherical dome structure is modeled. Symmetrical boundary conditions are imposed on the side edges of the quarter hemisphere. Symmetry conditions are imposed by restraining all joints along Edge 2 in the global Y direction and restraining all joints along Edge 4 in the global X direction. The edges are identified in the following figure. A vertical restraint is applied to a single joint at the center of Edge 1 to maintain stability of the structure. Two models are created to study this example. Model A uses a 16x16x1 mesh for the quarter hemispherical dome structure. The solid object aspect ratio for this model is approximately 25:20:1. Model B uses a 48x48x1 mesh, which has a solid object aspect ratio of approximately 8:7:1.

EXAMPLE 5-007 - 1

Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: REVISION NO.:

SAP2000 2

GEOMETRY, PROPERTIES AND LOADING

Material Properties E = 68,250,000 k/ft2 = 0.3 G =26,250,000 k/ft2 Section Properties Thickness = 0.04 ft

18

Edge 3 - Free

ge Ed 4Sy ic e tr mm

2 - Sy

mmet ric

E d ge

Z Y X

Radius o hemisp f here 10 '

B
F = 2.0 kips (1.0 kip on hemispherical quadrant)

A
F = 2.0 kips (1.0 kip on hemispherical quadrant) Edge 1 - Free

EXAMPLE 5-007 - 2

Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: REVISION NO.:

SAP2000 2

TECHNICAL FEATURES OF SAP2000 TESTED Three-dimensional analysis using solid elements Joint force loads RESULTS COMPARISON MacNeal and Harder 1985 indicates that the theoretical lower bound for the displacement at the point load locations in the direction of the point load is 0.0924 foot for the condition where the hole at the center of the dome structure is not present. The reference further suggests a value of 0.0940 foot for comparison of results with the model where the center hole is present. The 0.0940 foot value is used in the comparison. The output is obtained at points A and B, which occur at the bottom corners of the quarter of the hemispherical dome as shown in the previous figure.

Output Parameter Ux (Point A) ft Average of two joints at Point A Uy (Point B) ft Average of two joints at Point A

Mesh 16x16x1 48x48x1 16x16x1 48x48x1

SAP2000 0.0701

Independent 0.0940

Percent Difference -25% -1% -25%

0.0930 -0. 0701 -0.0940 -0.0930

-1%

COMPUTER FILES: Example 5-007a, Example 5-007b CONCLUSIONS The SAP2000 results show an acceptable comparison with the independent results when an adequate mesh is used. As previously mentioned, the aspect ratio of the solid objects is approximately 25:20:1 for the 16x16x1 mesh and approximately 8:7:1 for the 48x48x1mesh. The aspect ratio of the 16x16x1 mesh is too large to give acceptable results.

EXAMPLE 5-007 - 3