Starting SAP2000 from the command line

SAP2000 may be started from the command line using the path to SAP2000.exe, the path to a SAP2000 data file, and four optional switches which control software operation after the data file opens. An example is given as follows:

C:\SAP2000\SAP2000.EXE  C:\DATA\MYMODEL.SDB  /R  /D SCAO  /C  /K AO

Components may be explained as follows:

C:\SAP2000\SAP2000.EXE

This is the path to SAP2000.exe.

C:\DATA\MYMODEL.SDB

This is the path to the SAP2000 data file.

This item may have an extension of type SDB, MDB, XLS, $2K, or S2K. Depending on the type of extension, the file is assumed to be:
- SDB - a SAP2000 SDB file which the software will attempt to open.
- MDB - a Microsoft Access file which the software will attempt to import.
- XLS - a Microsoft Excel file which the software will attempt to import.
- $2K or S2K - a SAP2000 text file which the software will attempt to import.

/R Pn Sn

/R - automatically runs analysis after the data file has been successfully opened or imported.

P_n - where n is 1 or 2: P1 runs analysis in the same process as SAP2000. P2 runs analysis in a separate process from SAP2000.

S_n - where n is 1 or 2: S1 uses the standard solver during analysis. S2 uses the advanced solver.

/D SCAO

/D - automatically performs all possible design after the data file has been opened or imported and analysis results are available. A certain type of design is performed when /D is followed by any of the following:
- S - steel frame design
- C - concrete frame design
- A - aluminum frame design
- O - coldformed frame design

Specifying /D or /D SCAO starts all possible design.

/C

/C - closes SAP2000 after analysis is run and design is complete.

/K AO

/K - alone, this switch deletes the files created during analysis.

/K A - deletes all analysis files except the log and out files.

/K O - deletes the log and output files.

/K or /K AO - deletes the same files.

Additional notes include:

/K does not delete the Access database file which may be specified for automatic saving upon completion of analysis.

When a model is imported, opened, run, and designed from the command line, any Access database file specified for automatic saving upon completion of analysis is not saved until both analysis and design are complete. This allows the Access database file to include both analysis and design results.

Command line