On-Screen Results

Once the analysis is complete you can display several different analysis results on the screen. Depending on the current view and the model size the screen could be extremely cluttered when results are displayed. It may be desirable to view the results in elevation or plan view and/or with the extruded shape setting removed (i.e., in stick drawing mode).

To ready the model view for best display of results on the entire structure:

Select View > 3D.
Select View > Zoom > Full.
Select View > Resolution > Low.

Results - Finite Element Model information

To view the finite element model for a particular story:

Select Process > Results > FE Model.

The FE Model Information dialog will open. To view the finite element model that was created and analyzed for the second story:
Select 3rd from the Story drop down box.
Keep all the display options selected.
Click [Apply].

The display will change to show only those members that were considered in the analysis of the 3rd floor. The member fixity conditions (released, fixed) are displayed, as are the finite elements, node numbers and restraint conditions. Note that nodes are restrained, at the levels above and below the current story, where they are braced according to the column bracing criteria.

You can zoom, rotate and print the screen display while the FE Model Info window is displayed. Closing the window will reset the model and remove all the finite element settings.

If there is an error during the analysis it is possible that a node number (or location) will be provided in the error message. The analysis will terminate, but the Finite Element Model of the story under analysis should be available so that you can identify the location (node) of the problem and perform corrective action.

Results - Vertical Reactions

To view the vertical reactions for each load case on a particular story:

Select Process > Results > Vertical Reactions.

The Vertical Reactions dialog will open. To view the vertical reactions from each load case in the analysis of the second story:

Select 2nd from the Story drop down box.
Select DL1 from the Load Case drop down box.
Click [Apply].
The display will change to show only the members used in the selected stories analysis, and the vertical reactions from the selected load case. The reactions displayed represent the reactions for the current story and load case analysis. However, one or more of the load cases will include the reactions from all the upper stories analyses. For dead load the loads from the previous stories analysis will have been transferred into the analysis for the current story. The reactions for the DL1 case therefore include the loads that are transferred from the upper stories.

Notice that the Live Loads have been separated into several load cases to account for load patterns. The total live load reaction can be obtained more easily through a report.

Results - Member Forces

To view the beam and column forces for each load case on a particular story:

Select Process > Results > Member Forces.
Select 3rd from the Story drop down box.
Select DL1 from the Load Case drop down box.
Check Beam Force Major Moments (1/4 pts).
Uncheck Column Force and Wall Force.
Click [Apply].
Select View - Plan or zoom in if the text is difficult to read.

Only significant member forces are shown for each load case selected. If beams are skip-loaded then each type (reducible, unreducible, roof or storage) of live load on a single span will be considered its own load case. The loads on one member will affect other members due to the continuity, but the forces are not displayed when the values are insignificant.

Results - Displacements

To view the displacements of members and decks on a particular story:

Select Process > Results > Displacements.
The Displacements dialog will open with some options and controls.
Select 2nd in the Story drop down
Select DL1 from the Load Type drop down.
Leave all the checkboxes checked
Click [Apply].
The graphics screen will now display the members and meshed surface of the two-way flat slab of the 2^nd story (Decks/Slabs must be turned on in the view menu to display). The Displacements dialog will remain on the screen. By selecting and dragging the small triangles (sliders) at each end of the legend the engineer can set the limit at which all displacements larger than will be colored in the extreme color (red or blue). This way an engineer can easily identify locations where the slab deformation exceeds a specific user defined limit. Also, the transparency of the meshed surface can be controlled by the Transparency slider. Take this opportunity to use the various controls and familiarize yourself with the dialog.
Click [Close] to leave the dialog and return to the normal view.