Page Comparison

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This page is devoted to *frequently asked questions* (FAQ) related to the [Section Designer|kb:Section Designer].
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h1. Modeling

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*Is prestressing only available to Caltrans shapes?*

*Answer:* Yes, as of SAP2000 V12.0.2, prestressing can only be specified for Caltrans shapes. Additional information is available in the [Moment-curvature analysis for hollow prestressed-concrete piles|tutorials:Moment-curvature analysis for hollow prestressed-concrete piles] tutorial.

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*How are section properties calculated? Does the software distinguish between solid and thin-walled sections?*

*Answer:* {open-question}
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h2. How do I model a hollow section?

*Answer:* To create an opening within a section, draw (over the shape which represents the section boundary) a shape which represents the opening. Right-click this shape, then change the material type to Opening.

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*Related Incident:*
* {incident:no=48449|comment=Section Designer}
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h1. Design

h2. Why does Hownothing arehappen time-dependentwhen propertiesI consideredlaunch indesign sectionsfor ofa two or more materialsbuilt-up (I-shaped) steel section?

*Answer:* For sections modeled using theTo [Section Designerdesign|kb:Section Designer], [creep|kb:Creep] and [shrinkageDesign] a built-up steel [frame|kb:Shrinkage] effects are calculated as though the entire (transformed)Frame] section is composed of the base material specified during section definition.

Please note that time-dependent effects for [composite sections|kb:Composite behavior] may be evaluated correctly by explicitly modeling the different parts of a composite section, then by assigning the appropriate material properties. These modeling entities, such as [frame|kb:Frame] griders and [shell|kb:Shell] slabs, may then be connected using [body constraints|kb:Constraint], [rigid|kb:Rigid behavior] [links|kb:Link], or another means that achieves composite behavior.
within the [Section Designer|kb:Section Designer], the section should be defined as a User-Defined I or as a User-Defined Box Section, and not as a Section Designer Section.

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*Related Incident:*
* {incident:no=47292|comment=SAP2000 - Built-up sections}
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h1. Composite response

h2. Can I check the concrete stress for a steel-girder and concrete-slab composite section?

*Answer:* Stresses local to individual objects within a composite section may be checked using post-processing methods outside of the [Section Designer|kb:Section Designer]. When analyzing composite sections, the Section Designer transforms the entire section into the base material specified on the Section Data form. Stresses may be resolved manually once composite-section forces are obtained.


h2h1. Why does nothing happen when I launch design for a built-up (I-shaped) steel section?

*Answer:* To [design|kb:Design] a built-up steel [frame|kb:Frame] section within the [Section Designer|kb:Section Designer], the section should be defined as a User-Defined I or as a User-Defined Box Section, and not as a Section Designer Section.

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*Related Incident:*
* {incident:no=47292|comment=SAP2000 - Built-up sections}
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Confined RC sections

h2. How are confined reinforced-concrete sections modeled in the Section Designer?

*Answer:* Once the section is defined in the Section Designer, right-click on the section, then select the confined-concrete model, as shown in Figure 1. Longitudinal and transverse bar size and layout may then be specified.

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!Confined_concrete_in_section_designer.png|align=center,border=0!

{center-text}Figure 1 - Confined-concrete sections{center-text}


h1. Time-dependent properties

h2. How are time-dependent properties considered in sections of two or more materials?

*Answer:* For sections modeled using the [Section Designer|kb:Section Designer], [creep|kb:Creep] and [shrinkage|kb:Shrinkage] effects are calculated as though the entire (transformed) section is composed of the base material specified during section definition.

Please note that time-dependent effects for [composite sections|kb:Composite behavior] may be evaluated correctly by explicitly modeling the different parts of a composite section, then by assigning the appropriate material properties. These modeling entities, such as [frame|kb:Frame] griders and [shell|kb:Shell] slabs, may then be connected using [body constraints|kb:Constraint], [rigid|kb:Rigid behavior] [links|kb:Link], or another means that achieves composite behavior.


h1. Import / Export

h2. Can I export section-designer sections to a different model?

*Answer:* Yes, this is accomplished through export and import of the [Section Designer|kb:Section Designer] database tables. The process is as follows:

* [Export|kb:Export] the Material Properties, Frame Section Properties, and Section Designer Properties tables by selecting File > Export > SAP2000 .s2k Text File, as shown in Figure 2.

* Open the other model, then [import|kb:Import] the previously exported tables by selecting File > Import.

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!Exporting_section_designer_sections_to_a_different_model.png|align=center,border=0!

{center-text}Figure 2 - Export properties tables{center-text}


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*How are section properties calculated? Does the software distinguish between solid and thin-walled sections?*

*Answer:* {open-question}
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