The code ZEM_SIN running under the DOS

1.Intro

ZEM_SIN code is a simple numerical tool for solving elastic beams (not necessary prismatic ones) resting
on elastic subsoil, like:
WIN = the Winkler model with a constant subgrade coefficient C,
POS = the elastic half-space with the Young modulus E and Poisson coeff.  (soil thickness h = +),
WAS = multilayered subsoil consisting of n horizontal layers of the parameters Ek ,k, hk , k = 1,…,n  1.
In addition, some independent subsidences of the subsoil segments i (i.e. pre-defined in the middle of
discretized segments „i”) can be assumed due to some external independent actions like mining subsidences,
other loads near the beam etc; i do not depend on the loading of the beam but they change subsoil reactions
along the beam.
The beam contact with the subsoil is assumed as a smooth one – no horizontal (frictional) forces under the
beam are taken into account.

2. Computer system configuration for the code ZEM_SIN

Students use an executable version of the code (ZEM_SIN.EXE) which was issued many, many years ago
for 16-bit micro-computers running under basic Disc Operating System (DOS). Those ancient times, the
term Windows meant just windows and Linux meant nothing. On one hand, this looks to be an advantage
(really minimal hardware requirements), on the other hand, this complicates running of the code nowadays.

There is no problem if running ZEM_SIN under Windows XP (and still older ones) on 32-bit computers;
just a few seconds are enough to complete the calculations, even for the most complex model WAS.
Windows 7 (and higher) on multicore 64-bit processor needs some tricks and eventually the calculation time
is … much longer or even not acceptably long, if the system configuration is not correct.

There is a concept how to overcome the system difficulties by making use of the DOSBox - the calculation
time will be expressed in minutes, not seconds.

If you see a better (professional) way how to solve this system problem – your support will be appreciated 

a) The code ZEM_SIN.EXE and the data file called ZEM_SIN.DAT in the text format, both have to
placed in a working directory ZEM_SIN ; for example, it could be a short path c:\ZEM_SIN

b) Download and install a free code DOSBox – the recommended link is www.dosbox.com
The code will get installed as DOSBox-0.74 and probably such an icon will appear on your desktop

c) Find a file DOSBox0.74 Manual in the just created directory DOSBox-0.74 ; it is a long text for
the DOSBox users, not very fascinating in fact, but the chapter 10 and the chapter 13 can be useful -
if the code ZEM_SIN does not start.

d) Much more important – in the directory DOSBox-0.74 you will find a sub-directory Options with
the config file DOSBox0.74 Options that needs a modification. Note that DOSBox was created
bearing in mind needs of computer games users, popular 30 years ago on 16-bit micro-computers
(ask your parents or better your grandparents); now, the processors are simply too … fast for such
games – by default, the game users should slow down the processor.
But this not the case here, just opposite, therefore open the file DOSBox0.74 Options ,
 find the default option
cycles=auto
and replace it by
cycles=max

Next accept this modification in the config file;

you will see the change in the window of running DOSBox,
see pt.3b) below, as an upper confirmation line:

DOSBox 0.74, Cpu speed: max 100% cycles

3. Running the code ZEM_SIN

a) Run the code DOSBox configured as above and you will see the following window …

b) … and next:

Attention:
You should not try to speed up the running using ctrl-F12 because the effect is usually just opposite!
 c) Now you have to „mount” the directory ZEM_SIN (which includes the executable code
ZEM_SIN.EXE) on a virtual disc, for example g , and you should set the path to this directory;
here there is:

mount g c:\ZEM_SIN <enter>

Next go to this virtual disc g (assumed here), so

g: <enter>

Run the code on this virtual disc

ZEM_SIN.EXE <enter>

Now, if you click <enter>, the calculation will start and will use the data file (in correct format)
from the same working directory

4. Calculations with ZEM_SIN

In the working directory ZEM_SIN you must have the code ZEM_SIN.EXE and a data file called
ZEM_SIN.DAT – the latter one must have all data in the right text format; some other files are also allowed
in this directory but none of the three files with results:
WIJ.RES
YIJ.RES
ZEM_SIN.RES
Such files are created by ZEM_SIN in previous runs – even in interrupted or failed ones; you must cancel
all of them or change the names or shift to another directory; if not, the code ZEM_SIN will be stopped with
a „fatal error” denoted as

Cannot Open Error file „LP77.ER”, error # 150 in ZEM_SIN at line 27

After removal of the result files *.RES (if there were any), the code ZEM_SIN can start and will display
the following info:

Obliczenia w toku: dla modelu WAS moga one trwac dosyc dlugo…. _

But this confirmation info disappears soon and you can follow the stage of calculation expressed in %;
this way, the user see that the code is active, not suspended.
For example:

18.22 Procent obliczonych wspolczynnikow wpływowych Wij………..

In the working directory ZEM_SIN the code creates the three files *.RES as mentioned:
WIJ.RES
YIJ.RES
ZEM_SIN.RES
The two first files are not very important for the user but the third is – final results of calculation are
presented in the text format in ZEM_SIN.RES

Normal termination of the calculations is announced as:

100.00 Procent obliczonych wspolczynnikow wpływowych Yij……

OK///////#ZEM_SIN///////OK///////#ZEM_SIN///////OK///////#ZEM_SIN///////OK

Eventually, the working directory could be for example in a form as below:

5. Access to the final results

Open the text file ZEM_SIN.RES in the directory ZEM_SIN by making use of any simple test editor like
Notepad, copy the contents and analyze the results – but first check if the date (recalled in head of the
results) are correct.

Good Luck!

W.Brzakala
wlodzimierz.brzakala@pwr.edu.pl

Wroclaw, December 2016