Joint-pattern first steps

To obtain the vertical loading on a slab element which is modeled using a fairly fine mesh, users may implement a joint pattern through the following process:

  • For each loading patch, or set of patches that act together, select Define > Joint Pattern to define a joint pattern, as shown in Figure 1:

 

Figure 1 - Name joint patterns

 

  • Select joints that are contained within the patch or patches. Next, select Assign > Joint Pattern, then assign a dimensionless scale factor D, such as 1.0. This process is shown in Figure 2:

 

Figure 2 - Pattern data

 

  • Select the slab elements, then select Assign > Area Loads > Surface Pressure to assign pressure (force/area) such that it acts downward on the top face, according to the appropriate load pattern. This menu is shown in Figure 3:

 

Figure 3 - Area surface pressure load

 

  • The pressure on each element will be interpolated from the product between joint-pattern values and the pressure assigned, which is 5.0 kN/m in this example. If only one element joint has a nonzero pressure, a quarter of the load will be applied. Load pressure is multiplied by element tributary area such that users need not manually calculate nodal forces.

Display joint pattern

  • To graphically display the joint-pattern assignment, select Display > Show Misc Assigns > Joints.

  • Select Display > Show Load Assign > Area Surface Pressure Values to display the area load assigned to each joint.

Metadata

  • Name: Joint-pattern first steps

  • Description: This tutorial provides an introduction to the assignment of joint patterns.

  • Program: SAP2000

  • Program Version: 12.1.0

  • Model ID: na