General
How can I check flange local buckling in SAP2000?
Extended Question: Is it possible to check for flange local buckling in SAP2000? I am trying to apply load to a column but the model always assumes the load transfers to through the center mass, so how can I make sure that the load is applied to the flange of the W shape column only?
Answer: You would need to create local model to evaluate the local flange buckling. This could be done by modeling the column flanges and webs using shell elements and by evaluating only a local portion of the model in the vicinity of the point of interest. The loads and boundary conditions would need to be applied in such a way that the interaction with the rest of the model is correctly accounted for.
How can I model a deep beam?
Since SAP2000 frame element formulation includes both bending and shear deformations, frame elements can be used to model deep beams. This may be reasonable approach to evaluate global response, but localized response may need to be determined by a more refined model. For example, the beam could be modeled by shell or solid elements. Depending on the beam material, it may be also worthwhile to use more specialized methods, such as the strut and tie method for the analysis and design of reinforced concrete deep beams.
How can I model as simple beam model that is subjected to cyclic loading?
You can evaluate this behavior by performing time history analysis or staged construction analysis.
The time history analysis will solve the problem including the dynamic effects. You may apply the loads slowly (quasi-statically) to disregard the dynamic effects. The speed of load application to disregard these dynamic effects would be structure dependent and would be influenced by factors such as the natural frequencies of the structure. You may determine this yourself by trying different speeds of load application and checking the sensitivity of the response.
If you do not want to use time history analysis, you could also use staged construction analysis. You would need to add the entire structure in the first stage and then define separate stages for each load application increment.
How does SAP2000 consider the safety factor for the analysis and design?
Depending on the design methodology, the safety factors can be considered either by increasing the applied loads or by decreasing the resistance of the structural members. This can be done by means such as factored load combinations, allowable stresses, resistance factors, etc.
SAP2000 allows the user to set up factored load combinations and perform design based on allowable stresses or ultimate resistance, but the way to set up the model would really depend on the design code that you are using.