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{info} This page is devoted to *frequently asked questions*
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This page is devoted to frequently asked questions (FAQ)

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acceleration

|Acceleration]. {info} \\ {on-this-page} h2. Acceleration-load calculation *Question:* How does [SAP2000|sap2000:home] calculate and apply acceleration load? *Answer:* Please see the [Acceleration load|Acceleration load] article for response. h2. Rotational-acceleration-load calculation *Question:* What procedure does {new-tab-link:http://www.csiberkeley.com/}CSI{new-tab-link} Software use to calculate rotational-acceleration load? *Answer:* Please see the [Acceleration load|Acceleration load] article for response. h2. Difference between relative and absolute acceleration *Question:* The Display > Show Plot Functions menu presents options for either _relative_ or _absolute_ acceleration. What is the difference between these options? *Answer:* Relative acceleration is within the reference frame of the structure. Absolute acceleration is within a universal reference frame, and given as the sum of relative acceleration and ground acceleration. The same relative and absolute designations also apply to velocity and displacement. h2. Manual application of acceleration load *Question:* Can acceleration loads only be applied to selected members in a model? *Answer:* {new-tab-link:http://www.csiberkeley.com/}CSI{new-tab-link} Software automatically generates and envelopes a set of acceleration loads for translation along, and rotation about, each global axis. These acceleration loads are applied at each node and element, and used to simulate ground motion during [time-history|Time-history analysis] and translation-only [response-spectrum|Response-spectrum analysis] analyses. They are also useful as starting load vectors for [Ritz-vector|Ritz vectors] analysis. Users may manually assign acceleration loads to specific nodes and elements. Similar to [load-case|Load case] assignment, these loads are applied through an Analysis Case

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On this page:

Table of Contents

General

What is the difference between relative and absolute acceleration?

ANSWER: Relative acceleration is within the reference frame local to the structure. Absolute acceleration is within a universal reference frame, and is given as the sum of relative acceleration and ground acceleration. The same relative and absolute designations also apply to velocity and displacement.

The Display > Show Plot Functions menu presents options for either relative or absolute acceleration.

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Related Incidents:

  • Incident 77662: Relative vs absolute joint displacements

Alternate explanation:

Relative displacement is within the reference system local to the structure. Absolute displacement is within a universal reference system and is given as the sum of relative displacement and ground displacement.

In other words, the relative displacement is displacement of joints on the structure relative to the displacement of the foundation joints. Absolute displacements are measured from a fixed point located far away on the ground that is not affected by the earthquake.

Is acceleration load only applied to selected members?

ANSWER: No. CSI software automatically generates and envelopes a set of acceleration loads for translation along, and rotation about, each global axis. These acceleration loads are applied at each node and object to simulate ground motion during time-history and translation-only response-spectrum analyses. 

Acceleration loads may be manually assigned to specific nodes and objects, then applied through a load case. Acceleration loads in the program are included as a percentage of gravity, g. Therefore, to manually assign acceleration loads to selected members, first divide the acceleration by g. Then enter the percentage in the Scale Factor box in the Loads Applied area of the Load Case Data form.  

Formulation

How is acceleration load calculated and applied?

ANSWER: Please see the Acceleration loads article for response.

How is rotational-acceleration load calculated and applied?

ANSWER: Please see the Acceleration loads article for response.