C O M P U TE R S &

S TR U C TU R ES
IN C .

R Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 0

EXAMPLE 1-008
FRAME – PARTIAL FIXITY END RELEASES

EXAMPLE DESCRIPTION
The frame object partial fixity end releases are tested in this example.

In the example a cantilever beam is subjected to a uniform load equal to twice its
self weight. At the fixed end of the cantilever the frame object is assigned a
partial fixity moment (My) spring and a partial fixity shear (Vz) spring. The
vertical tip deflection of the cantilever is compared with independent hand
calculated results.

Important Note: Both bending and shear deformations are considered in the
analysis for this example.

Important Note: The uniform load is applied using the gravity load feature of
SAP2000.

GEOMETRY, PROPERTIES AND LOADING

24' Material Properties
E = 4,320 k/in2
Uniform load = 2 * beam self weight Ȟ = 0.2
G = 1,800 k/in2
Unit weight = 0.15 k/ft3

Partial fixity for moment and shear Section Properties

Z •Moment spring stiffness: 3,888,000 k-in/rad b = 18 in
•Shear spring stiffness: 540 k/in d = 30 in
A = 540 in2
Y
X I = 40,500 in4
Av = 450 in2 (shear area)

TECHNICAL FEATURES OF SAP2000 TESTED

¾ The partial fixity end releases in a frame element, including
ƒ Shear partial fixity
ƒ Bending partial fixity
¾ The application of gravity load to a frame object

EXAMPLE 1-008 - 1
 C O M P U TE R S &
S TR U C TU R ES
IN C .

R Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 0

RESULTS COMPARISON
Independent results are hand calculated using the unit load method described on
page 244 in Cook and Young 1985.

Percent
Output Parameter SAP2000 Independent Difference
Uz (cantilever tip) in -0.8036 -0.8036 0%

COMPUTER FILE: Example 1-008

CONCLUSION
The SAP2000 results show an exact comparison with the independent results.

EXAMPLE 1-008 - 2
 C O M P U TE R S &
S TR U C TU R ES
IN C .

R Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 0

HAND CALCULATION

EXAMPLE 1-008 - 3
C O M P U TE R S &
S TR U C TU R ES
IN C .

R Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 0

EXAMPLE 1-008 - 4