Software Verification

PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000

REVISION NO.: 8

EXAMPLE 6-002
LINK MULTI-LINEAR ELASTIC LINK

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
This example uses a single degree of freedom structure to test the behavior of a
multi-linear elastic (no hysteresis) link element. Multi-linear elastic force-
deformation characteristics are defined for the link element. A nonlinear static
analysis is used to push the link element to a negative 12 inch displacement.
Then a second nonlinear load case is started from the final conditions of the first
load case and used to push the link element to a positive 12 inch displacement, a
24 inch push. The link force at the end of each load case is compared with the
defined link force-deformation characteristics. In addition the entire force-
deformation history for each load case is graphically compared with the defined
link force-deformation characteristics.

The SAP2000 model consists of a two-joint multi-linear link element that is fixed
at one end and free at the other end. As shown in the following figure, the link is
modeled in the XZ plane and is oriented such that its length (and thus its local 1
axis) is parallel to the global Z axis. The link element length is arbitrarily chosen
as ten inches.

The only active degree of freedom in the model is Uz. Similarly, the only degree
of freedom in the linear link element with nonzero properties is the U1 (axial)
degree of freedom.

A unit load is applied in the positive Z direction at joint 2. This load is used in
the displacement-controlled static nonlinear analysis.

GEOMETRY

p(z)

p(z) 2
u(z) Z Multilinear link element
Y with force-displacement
characteristics, k(z),
k(z)
X defined for the U1 degree
1
of freedom

EXAMPLE 6-002 - 1
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 8

LINK PROPERTIES
The link force-deformation characteristics are Deformation Force
defined as shown in the table to the right. This (in) (kips)
table is plotted in the following figure. The solid
-10 -50
line in the force-deformation plot is the data
-6 -30
actually included in the table. The dotted lines in
-5 -40
the plot show how SAP2000 extrapolates the
-3 -40
provided data to reach the desired deformations.
In general, for the multi-linear link, the slope 0 0
given by the last two specified points on the 2 40
positive deformation axis is extrapolated to 7 50
infinite positive deformation. Similarly, the slope 8 30
given by the last two specified points on the
negative deformation axis is extrapolated to
infinite negative deformation.

60

50

40

30

20
Link Force (kips)

10

0
-12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
-10

-20

-30

-40

-50

-60

Link Deformation (in)

EXAMPLE 6-002 - 2
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 8

LOAD CASE DEFINITIONS

Two displacement-controlled nonlinear static load cases are used in this example.
They are named NLSTAT1 and NLSTAT2.

NLSTAT1 starts from zero initial conditions and pushes the link out to a negative
12 inch deformation.

NLSTAT2 starts from the conditions at the end of NLSTAT1 and pushes the link
from a negative 12 inch deformation to a positive 12 inch deformation.

TECHNICAL FEATURES OF SAP2000 TESTED

Multi-linear links
Displacement-controlled nonlinear static analysis

RESULTS COMPARISON
Independent results are obtained from the defined link force-deformation
characteristics shown in the figure on the previous page.

Output Percent
Parameter Load Case SAP2000 Independent Difference

Link force at NLSTAT1 -60 -60 0%

last step

kips NLSTAT2 -50 -50 0%

The figures on the following page show the link force-deformation curves
obtained from load case NLSTAT1 and NLSTAT2. As expected, these curves
exactly match the defined force-deformation characteristics for the link.

EXAMPLE 6-002 - 3
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 8

60

50 Force-Deformation
curve for analysis
40 case NLSTAT1

30

20
Force (kips)

10

0
-12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
-10

-20

-30

-40

-50

-60

Deformation (in)

60

50

40

30

20
Force (kips)

10

0
-12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
-10

-20

-30

-40
Force-Deformation
curve for analysis
-50
case NLSTAT2

-60

Deformation (in)

EXAMPLE 6-002 - 4
 Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 8

COMPUTER FILE: Example 6-002

CONCLUSION
The SAP2000 results show an exact comparison with the independent results.
The multi linear link has no hysteretic behavior. It always loads and unloads
along the same path.

EXAMPLE 6-002 - 5