SACS SACS TOPCAT

TM

Structural Analysis Computer System

Program Information Preliminary Structural Assessment

The preliminary structural assessment tool

SACS TOPCAT (Template

Offshore Platform Capacity
Assessment Tools) is an analysis
program intended for the
preliminary structural design
and ultimate load carrying
assessment for fixed steel
offshore platforms.
TOPCAT was developed as a
result of a Joint Industry Venture
by the Marine Technology and
Management Group at
University of California,
Berkeley. The TOPCAT
program has since been
modified and enhanced by EDI
into SACS TOPCAT which is a
Windows application. This
program is a screening tool used
to identify those structures
which will require a detailed
nonlinear analysis using EDI's view results in a graphical form. SACS TOPCAT is oriented
COLLAPSE program. SACS TOPCAT enables the user towards accessing the load
to quickly develop a simple carrying capacity of major
SACS TOPCAT consists of pre- structural model for one of structural members such as legs,
processing features, which allow several standard platform types diagonal bracing, unbraced deck
a user to input the basic and then analyze the model for legs, caisson guy-wires and
geometry and member the following conditions: piles.
characteristics in a number of
different ways; computational • Wind, Wave and Current SACS TOPCAT is capable of
routines for storm, earthquake, Loads. analyzing a guyed caisson and
and fatigue analysis; post- • Earthquake Loads. three, four, six, eight, and twelve
processing features which allow • Fatigue resulting from cyclic leg jacket structures. The soil
the user to generate reports and wave loading. beneath the platform can be

SACS TOPCAT: Preliminary Structural Assessment 1 Engineering Dynamics, Inc.

 SACS TOPCAT: Preliminary Structural Assessment
specified as having multiple layers of either sand
or clay with different strength properties. Grouted
joints, braces having significant out-of-
straightness or dented members can also be
included in any analysis.
In addition to the ultimate capacity analysis, the
user may also perform a reliability analysis by
specifying statistical information on the
uncertainties associated with the different strength
components.

The required input data for SACS TOPCAT can

be entered using a combination of the following
four methods:
• Import a SACS structural model.
• Via a series of dialog boxes (traditional SACS
TOPCAT format).
• Via command files with input data prepared
using an English like command language.
• Using the SACS TOPCAT graphical model
editor.

SACS TOPCAT has extensive reporting

capabilities and can generate results in both
graphical and text format.
SACS TOPCAT is a valuable addition to EDI's
SACS suite of programs and is useful in a wide
variety of applications.
SACS TOPCAT provides the offshore structural
engineering community with an efficient tool to
carry out important screening analyses to identify
those structures which need detailed nonlinear
analysis using SACS COLLAPSE for platform
re-qualification.

SACS
TM 2113 38th Street 30 Courtney Road
Kenner, LA 70065 Croydon, Surrey, CR0 4LS
U.S.A. U.K.
Phone: +1-504-443-5481 Phone: +44-20-8688-5373
Fax: +1-504-443-6120 Fax: +44-20-8760-9823
Structural Analysis Computer System Email: sacs@edi-nola.com Email: sales@sacs.co.uk
Web: http://www.sacs-edi.com Web: http://www.sacs.co.uk
Engineering Dynamics, Inc. All trademarks are acknowledged ©2000 Engineering Dynamics, Inc.

Engineering Dynamics, Inc. 2 SACS TOPCAT: Preliminary Structural Assessment