Release Note

July 2015

Table of Contents
Pre-Processing Post-Processing

1-1. Improvement in data import from midas Civil and midas Gen 1. Supporting 64-bit / GPU-accelerated solver
1-2. Improvement in ‘Frame to Solid’ and ‘Frame to Plate’ functions 2. Crack width calculation in the nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete elements
1-3. Creating tendon profiles by entering 3D coordinates 3. Create reinforcement based on normal stresses of the concrete
1-4. Improvement in mesh quality of Hexa-Dominant Mesh
2-1. Generating graphs from nonlinear static analysis results
01 Fast Fourier Transform in Time-history Graph 2-2. Update geometry of analysis model using buckling mode shap
02 New Material DB to Korean Standard
03 New Method of Defining Yield Stress–Strain Relations 01 Improvement about the von-Mises Stresses at Nodes
04 Compression-only Point Spring for Soil Resistance
02 Summation of Crack Widths of Group of Elements
05 Time Dependent Material to Eurocode
06 DTIME Parameter for User Supplied Material Subroutine

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 1. Pre Processing

1-1. Improvement in data import from midas Civil and midas Gen
 Data import using mct and mgt file
 Cross-sections data that are not supported in midas FEA are imported as user-type. Cable elements are imported as truss elements.

File > Import > midas MxT

Civil Civil

FEA FEA

Previous version: Nodes and elements are only supported for the import from midas Civil or midas Gen.
FEA 2013 (v1.1): Properties, boundary conditions, loads and analysis data are additionally supported.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 1. Pre Processing

1-2. Improvement in ‘Frame to Solid’ and ‘Frame to Plate’ functions

 This function converts frame in midas Civil to solid / plate elements in midas FEA.

Geometry > Frame -> Solid, Frame -> Plate

Frame model Frame model

in Civil in Civil

Plate model Plate model

In FEA In FEA

Previous version: Only one continuous straight line can be converted at a time.
FEA 2013 (v1.1): More than one straight line can be converted at the same time.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 1. Pre Processing

1-3. Creating tendon profiles by entering 3D coordinates

 This new input method creates tendon profiles of spline or round type in the 3D space by entering 3D coordinates.

Geometry > Curve > Create 3D > Tendon Profile

Spline or Round type

Tendon coordinates

Symmetric copy and

rotation of tendon
for convenient tendon
modeling

The curve types (Spline, Round) which are frequently used in the tendon modeling provides the user with the easier way
to create tendon profiles than previous version.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 1. Pre Processing

1-4. Improvement in mesh quality of Hexa-Dominant Mesh

 The algorithm of generating hexa-dominant mesh is improved to create mesh with high quality.

Mesh > Auto Mesh > Solid(HEXD)

Hexahedrons are created around

the boundary at which high
stresses are expected.
Tetrahedrons are locally created
inside the structure.

Hex.
Tetrahedron
Pyramid
Tet.
Trigonal Prism
Pyramid

Hexahedron 3908 nodes : 52% compared to tet mesh 7568 nodes

4907 element s: 25% compared to tet mesh 19421 element s
Generation of hybrid mesh
Hybrid mesh using Tet mesh using
Pyramid is inserted to connect tetrahedron and hexahedron. Auto-Mesh Solid (HEXD) Auto-Mesh Solid

Compared to the mesh consisting of tetrahedron only, hexa-dominant mesh in midas FEA provides
more efficient and better analysis results using much smaller number of elements.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 2. Post Processing

2-1. Generating graphs from nonlinear static analysis results

 Generate graphs about the relationship of load & displacement and stress & strain for the nonlinear static analysis.
 It is possible to draw graphs using the results from different analysis cases.

Post > Nonlinear Static Analysis > Nonlinear Static Result Graphs

Select node or element

with a relevant component.
Select a graph type.

This feature enables the user to generate graphs easily without the use of MS Excel.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 2. Post Processing

2-2. Update geometry of analysis model using buckling mode shape

Create a new model file in which the geometry of analysis model is revised based on the mode shape of linear buckling analysis. The new model can be used
for geometric and material nonlinear analysis to find a buckling load considering geometric imperfection.

Post > Linear Buckling Analysis > Update Model with Imperfections Select a buckling mode to revise the
geometry of model.

Buckling mode shape

New analysis model in which nodal

coordinates are updated based on the
selected buckling mode shape and
scale factor.

Geometric imperfection can easily be included in the analysis model. The buckling behavior of the model can be further
investigated by performing geometric and material nonlinear analysis.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

1. Supporting 64-bit / GPU-accelerated solver
 FEA 64-bit solver is capable of accessing memory above the 4GB limit of the Windows 32-bit platform. In a 32-bit operating system there is a limitation of
4GB of memory that can be addressed. Windows reserves 2GB for the operating system leaving only 2GB for external programs. Now huge models can
be analyzed and solution time is much faster.
 GPU-accelerated computing offers faster solution times by offloading compute-intensive portions of the solver to the GPU, while the remainder of the
codes still runs on the CPU.

Case studies

Elements 394,986
Elements 504,196
Nodes 71,816
Nodes 79,574
25 Construction Stages
Time History Analysis

System Solution Time

System Solution Time
FEA 32-bit 85 min
3.4 times
FEA 32-bit 316 sec
5.5 times
FEA 64-bit 25min
FEA 64-bit 58 sec

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

2. Crack width calculation in the nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete elements
 Crack width calculation is one of the serviceability requirements in the structural concrete elements. In design codes, the crack width is estimated based
on the forces and bending moments in the cross section of the structure, which is unreliable for structures with more complex loading and support
conditions.
 In Total Strain Crack model, the crack width can be determined as the product of the crack-bandwidth (h) and the difference of maximum principal strain
and maximum principal stress divided by the original Young’s modulus.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

3. Create reinforcement based on normal stresses of the concrete
 The user can easily generate 3D line objects to be used for reinforcements while checking normal tensile stresses of the concrete.
 This feature is useful to create reinforcements in the region with complex geometry and stress variation.

Post > Create Reinforcement

3D line objects
• This dialog shows the total tension force of the selected plane and suggests the
required number of reinforcements based on the specified allowable stress and
diameter of reinforcements.
• The tension force of the selected plane is obtained by the Local Direction Force Sum
from the activated elements.
• The final arrangement of reinforcements is defined by the user before generating 3D
line objects.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 New Feature Advanced Nonlinear and
Detail Analysis System

(1) Fast Fourier Transform in Time-history Graph

• Menu: Post > Time History Analysis > Time History Graph (Time ↔ Frequency)
Upgrade Contents
• Using the Fast Fourier Transform algorithm, time history graphs can be converted to frequency history graphs and vice versa.

Effects & Usage

• Vibrations of footbridges or building floors due to walking loads can be checked in the frequency domain using FFT so that
resonance frequency can be found.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 New Feature Advanced Nonlinear and
Detail Analysis System

(2) New Material DB to Korean Standard

• Meun: Analysis>Material Manager>Create/Modify Material>Material DB

Upgrade Contents
• KSCE-LSD12(RC), KS09(S), KS08(S), KSCE-LSD12(S), KS10-Civil(S), KS08-Civil(S)

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 New Feature Advanced Nonlinear and
Detail Analysis System

(3) New Method of Defining Yield Stress–Strain Relations

• Menu: Analysis>Material
Upgrade Contents
• In the case of plastic materials, the constitutive model defines an elastic limit as a function of the equivalent plastic
strain, which can be calculated based on the plastic strain obtained from the uni-axial tension test as follows. In the
new version, the strain hardening can be defined based on the uni-axial plastic strain. The program will automatically
convert it into the equivalent plastic strain.

2 2 2 2 p
- von Mises     1p - Tresca     1p - Rankine    1
3 3 3 3
Equivalent plastic strain Uniaxial plastic strain

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 Advanced Nonlinear and
Detail Analysis System

• The existing input method based on Equivalent Plastic Strain can be accessed
from the Tree Menu.
• Menu: Tree menu>Function>Add Strain Hardening Function
Right-Clicking

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 New Feature Advanced Nonlinear and
Detail Analysis System

(4) Compression-only Point Spring for Soil Resistance

• Menu: Mesh>Element>Create Surface Spring>Point Spring

Upgrade Contents
• Point Spring with Compression-Only type can simulate the elastic behavior of soil resistance.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 New Feature Advanced Nonlinear and
Detail Analysis System

(5) Time Dependent Material to Eurocode

• Menu: Analysis>Time Dependent Material>Creep/Shrinkage, Compressive Strength

Upgrade Contents
• Prestressed structures can be analyzed with the effects of creep, shrinkage and compressive strength to Eurocode.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 New Feature Advanced Nonlinear and
Detail Analysis System

(6) DTIME Parameter for User Supplied Material Subroutine

FEA 2016 (v1.1)

SUBROUTINE USRMAT (EPSO, DEPS, EPSP, NS, INFM_STEP, COORD, SE, USRVAL, NUV,
USRSTA, NUS, IUSRIND, NUI, SIG, STIFFM, ID, DETJ, DTIME)

• SUBROUTINE USRMAT (EPSO, DEPS, EPSP, NS, INFM_STEP, COORD, SE, USRVAL, NUV, USRSTA, NUS,
IUSRIND, NUI, SIG, STIFFM, ID, DETJ, DTIME), DTIME: Total Time Increment
Upgrade Contents
• The user can program the material which is dependent on time, e.g. visco-elastic model.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 Post Process Advanced Nonlinear and
Detail Analysis System

(1) Improvement about the von-Mises Stresses at Nodes

Upgrade Contents
• von-Mises stresses including Tresca and Rankine cannot exceed yield stress at nodal points as well as integration points.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 Post Process Advanced Nonlinear and
Detail Analysis System

(2) Summation of Crack Widths of Group of Elements

Select elements

Upgrade Contents
• In the total strain crack model, the crack with of single element depends on the element size. Summation of crack
widths of group of elements is provided so that the crack with within certain distance can be checked regardless of
mesh size.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)

 Advanced Nonlinear and
Detail Analysis System

(1) Convergence Error with Combined Cracking-Shearing-Crushing model

Problem
Convergence error in nonlinear analysis of interface elements with the Related Functions
‘Combined Cracking-Shearing-Crushing’ material model.
● Analysis> Material > Interface

Correction

Improvement of convergence algorithm of CCSC material model.

(2) Incorrect Self Weight of Pyramid Element

Problem

Incorrect total weight with the model consisting of pyramid elements.

Related Functions

● *.OUT Files

Correction

Corrected.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1) 19

 Advanced Nonlinear and
Detail Analysis System

(3) Convergence Error in Nonlinear Analysis with Plate Offset

Problem
Convergence error in nonlinear analysis with plate offset. Related Functions

● Analysis > Property > Plate

Correction

Improved.

MIDAS Information Technology Co., Ltd. FEA 2016 (v1.1)