COMPUTERS &

STRUCTURES
INC.

R Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 6

EXAMPLE 1-002
FRAME - TEMPERATURE LOADING

EXAMPLE DESCRIPTION
The various types of frame temperature loads that can be modeled in SAP2000
are tested in this example using a cantilever beam and a propped cantilever beam.
The beam is a 2 inch wide by inch deep rectangular section.

In SAP2000, three types of temperature loads can be applied on a frame element:

an overall change in temperature; a temperature variation along the element
length in the local 1 direction; and a temperature gradient perpendicular to the
element length (local 2 or 3 directions).

For this example, each of these types of temperature loads is applied separately
to both the cantilever beam and the propped cantilever beam. The free-end
displacements in the cantilever beam model and the end reaction in the propped
cantilever beam model are compared to independent hand calculated results.

Important Note: Shear deformations are ignored in this analysis. In SAP2000

this is achieved by setting the property modification factor for shear to 0.

GEOMETRY, PROPERTIES AND LOADING

10" 2
Material Properties
C
Z E = 29,000 k/in2
3 = 0.0000065 /F
3"

Model A
X C Section Properties
2"
C A = 6 in2
I = 4.5 in4
Section C-C

C Model B
Temperature Loads
Load Case 1: Increase of 20 F
Load Case 2: Variation along local 1-axis (X-axis) of 2 F per inch of element length (20 F in all)
Load Case 3: Gradient along 2-axis (bending about 3-axis) of 20 F per linear inch (60 F in 3 of
section height)

EXAMPLE 1-002 - 1
 COMPUTERS &
STRUCTURES
INC.

R Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 6

TECHNICAL FEATURES OF SAP2000 TESTED

The specification of
Joint patterns
The application of
Temperature increase
Transverse temperature gradient
The calculation of
Displacements in free expansion
Reaction forces in restrained cases caused by temperature loads

RESULTS COMPARISON
Independent results for load cases 1 and 2 are hand calculated using standard
thermal expansion formulas. Results for load case 3 in Model B are hand
calculated using Table 3 items 6a and 6c on page 107 in Roark and Young 1975.

Model A: Free-End Cantilever

Load Output Percent

Case Parameter SAP2000 Independent Difference

1 Ux (free end) (in) 0.00130 0.00130 0%

2 Ux (free end) (in) 0.00065 0.00065 0%

3 Uz (free end) (in) -0.00650 -0.00650 0%

Model B: Propped Cantilever

Load Output Percent

Case Parameter SAP2000 Independent Difference

1 Fx (at prop) (kips) -22.62 -22.62 0%

2 Fx (at prop) (kips) -11.31 -11.31 0%

3 Fz (at prop) (kips) 2.545 2.545 0%

EXAMPLE 1-002 - 2
 COMPUTERS &
STRUCTURES
INC.

R Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 6

COMPUTER FILE: Example 1-002a, Example 1-002b

CONCLUSION
The SAP2000 results and the independent results match exactly.

EXAMPLE 1-002 - 3
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R Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 6

HAND CALCULATION

EXAMPLE 1-002 - 4
COMPUTERS &
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R Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME: SAP2000
REVISION NO.: 6

EXAMPLE 1-002 - 5