Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015 Example 7

Example 7. Nonlinear analysis of beam on two spans with account of creep in

concrete

In this lesson you will learn how to:

 generate design model of beam on two spans;
 define parameters of physical nonlinearity for materials with account of creep in concrete and define
parameters for reinforcement;
 model nonlinear load cases.

Description:
Model of the beam and its boundary conditions are presented in Figure 7.1.
Sections for elements of the beam are presented in Figure 7.2.
Material for beam – reinforced concrete B25, reinforcement A-III.
State of design model is evaluated after 365 and 730 days.

Figure 7.1 Model of the beam

Figure 7.2 Sections for elements of the beam:

a) section;
b) arrangement of reinforcement in span section;
c) arrangement of reinforcement at support section.

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 Example 7 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015

Loads:
 load case 1 – dead weight (see Figure 7.3);

Figure 7.3 Load case No.1 for beam

 load case 2 – uniformly distributed load q2 = 0.3 t/m (see Figure 7.4);

Figure 7.4 Load case No.2 for beam

 load case 3 – uniformly distributed load in the first span q3 = 0.87 t/m (see Figure 7.5);

Figure 7.5 Load case No.3 for beam

 load case 4 – uniformly distributed load in the second span q4 = 0.87 t/m (see Figure 7.6);

Figure 7.6 Load case No.4 for beam

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 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015 Example 7

On the taskbar, click the Start button, and then point to All Programs. Point to the folder that contains
LIRA SAPR / LIRA-SAPR 2015 and then click LIRA-SAPR 2015.

Step 1. Creating new problem

On the FILE menu, click New (button on the toolbar).

In the Model type dialog box (see Figure 7.7) specify the following data:
problem name – Example7;
problem code (by default it coincides with the problem name);
model type – 2 – Three degrees of freedom per node (two translations and rotation) X0Z.

Click OK .

Figure 7.7 Model type dialog box

It is also possible to open the Model type dialog box with a pre-defined type of model. To do this, on
the LIRA-SAPR menu (Application menu), point to New and click Model type 2 (Three DOF per node)

command . One more way to do the same: on the Quick Access Toolbar, click New and in the drop-

down menu select Model type 2 (Three DOF per node) command . Then you should define only
problem name.

To save all output data files for the problem in certain directory, select appropriate check box. The
directory name will coincide with the name of the problem. This directory will appear in the directory for
files with analysis results. This is helpful if you have to find output data files for certain problem, then
transfer these files or review and evaluate them with the help of Windows Explorer or other file managers.

Step 2. Generating model geometry

On the Create and edit ribbon tab, on the Create panel, point to Create regular fragments and grids

drop-down list and click the Create frame command.

To divide the beam spans into 4 parts, in the Create plane fragments and grids dialog box specify the
following data:

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 Example 7 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015

spacing along the first axis:

L(ì) N
1.35 4
1.55 4.
other parameters remain by default (see Figure 7.8).

Click Apply .

Figure 7.8 Create plane fragments and grids dialog box

To save data about design model:

On the LIRA-SAPR menu (Application menu), click Save command .

In the Save as dialog box specify the following data:
file name – Example7;
location where you want to save this file (Data folder is displayed by default).
Click Save.

Step 3. Defining boundary conditions

To present numbers of nodes and elements on the screen:

On the Select toolbar, click Flags of drawing button .

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 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015 Example 7

In the Display dialog box, select the Element numbers check box on the Elements tab.
On the Nodes tab, select the Node numbers check box.

Click Redraw .

The model with numbers of nodes and elements is presented in Fig.7.9.

Figure 7.9 Design model with numbers of nodes and elements

To select nodes No.1 and 9:

On the Select toolbar, point to Select nodes drop-down list and click Select nodes button .
Select nodes No.1 and 9 with the pointer (the nodes will be coloured red).

To define boundary conditions for nodes No.1 and 9:

On the Create and edit ribbon tab, on the Stiffness and restraints panel, click Restraints button .
In the Restraints on nodes dialog box (see Fig.7.10) specify directions along which displacements of
nodes are not allowed (Z). To do this, select appropriate check boxes.

Click Apply (the nodes will be coloured blue).

Figure 7.10 Restraints on nodes dialog box

To define boundary conditions for node No.5:

Select node No.5 with the pointer.
In the Restraints on nodes dialog box specify directions along which displacements of nodes are not
allowed (X, Z). To do this, select appropriate check boxes.

Click Apply .

On the Select toolbar, point to Select nodes drop-down list and click Select nodes button in order
to make this command not active.

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 Example 7 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015

Step 4. Defining material properties to elements of the beam

To create material data sets:

On the Create and edit ribbon tab, on the Stiffness and restraints panel, click Material properties

button .
In the Stiffness and materials dialog box (see Fig.7.11a), click Add. The list of standard section types
will be presented in the Add stiffness dialog box (see Fig.7.11b).

a b
Figure 7.11 Dialog boxes: a – Stiffness and materials, b – Add stiffness

Double-click the T-section (table at the top) icon in the list.

Then specify the following parameters for T-section (table at the top) (see Fig.7.12):
geometric properties – B = 30 cm; H = 60 cm; B1 = 70 cm; H1 = 20 cm;
unit weight of material – Ro = 2.5 t/m3.
In the Define standard section dialog box, select the Nonlinear parameters check box.

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 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015 Example 7

Figure 7.12 Define standard section dialog box

To define material, click Material parameters. The Nonlinear stress-strain diagrams for materials
dialog box appears on the screen (see Figure 7.13).
In this dialog box for the main material select 25 – exponential (normative strength) in the Nonlinear
stress-strain diagram list box.
Under Parameters for stress-strain diagram, double-click appropriate field to specify the following
parameters for main material (concrete):
concrete name – B25;
concrete type – TA.

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 Example 7 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015

Figure 7.13 Nonlinear stress-strain diagrams for materials dialog box for main material

In the same dialog box, click Account of reinforcement (see Figure 7.14) and select the
Reinforcement tab.
In the Nonlinear stress-strain diagram list box, select 11 – exponential.
Under Parameters for stress-strain diagram specify the following parameters for reinforcement (for the
U.S. keyboard layout):
modulus of elasticity – Eo(-) = 2e7 t/m2;
modulus of elasticity – Eo(+) = 2e7 t/m2;
ultimate stress s(-) = –36000 t/m2;
ultimate stress s(+) = 36000 t/m2.

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 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015 Example 7

Figure 7.14 Nonlinear stress-strain diagrams for materials dialog box for reinforcement

In the same dialog box, select the Account of creep in concrete (see Figure 7.15) and click the Creep
in concrete tab.
In the Creep diagram in concrete list box, select the line 41 – exponential for creep (Eurocode prEN
1992-1-1).
Under Parameters for stress-strain diagram specify the following parameters:
notional creep coefficient – φо =2;
coefficient – βH =657.82.
To confirm the specified data, click OK.

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 Example 7 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015

Figure 7.15 Nonlinear stress-strain diagrams for materials dialog box for creep in concrete

To define location and area of reinforcement, in the Define standard section dialog box (see
Figure 7.12), click Reinforcement parameters.
In the Parameters of physical nonlinearity for bars dialog box (see Figure 7.16), click the Point

reinforcement icon .
Define parameters for the first layer of reinforcement:
area of reinforcement – Fa = 6 cm2;
distances from the Z-axis (Yi) and from the Y-axis (Zi) to the point – y = 0 cm; z = 6 cm.
Under the Type of reinforcement, in the Number of reinforcement layer list box select number 2.
Define parameters for the second layer of reinforcement:
area of reinforcement – Fa = 1.5 cm2;
distances from the Z-axis (Yi) and from the Y-axis (Zi) to the point – y = 0 cm; z = 54 cm.
Under the Type of cross-section division, click Division of cross-section into elementary strips icon

.
To preview the section, click Draw.
Click OK.

In the Define standard section dialog box, click OK .

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 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015 Example 7

Figure 7.16 Parameters of physical nonlinearity for bars dialog box

In the Stiffness of elements dialog box (see Figure 7.11), in the List of stiffness types, select ‘1*.T-
section 30x60’.
Click Copy.
In the Stiffness of elements dialog box, in the List of stiffness types, select ‘2*.T-section 30x60’.
Click Edit.
In another Define standard section dialog box, click Reinforcement parameters.
In the Parameters of physical nonlinearity for bars dialog box (see Figure 7.17), click the Point

reinforcement icon .
Define parameters for the first layer of reinforcement:
area of reinforcement – Fa = 1.5 cm2;
distances from the Z-axis (Yi) and from the Y-axis (Zi) to the point – y = 0 cm; z = 6 cm.
Under the Type of reinforcement, in the Number of reinforcement layer list box select number 2.
Define parameters for the second layer of reinforcement:
area of reinforcement – Fa = 9 cm2;
distances from the Z-axis (Yi) and from the Y-axis (Zi) to the point – y = 0 cm; z = 54 cm.

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 Example 7 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015

Click OK in the Parameters of physical nonlinearity for bars dialog box.

In the Define standard section dialog box, click OK .

Figure 7.17 Parameters of physical nonlinearity for bars dialog box

To change FE type:

On the Select toolbar, click Select horizontal bars (button on the toolbar).
Select all horizontal elements of the model with the pointer.

On the Advanced edit options ribbon tab, on the Model panel, click Change FE type (button on
the toolbar).
In the Change FE type dialog box (see Figure 7.18), in the list of FE types, select FE type 210 –
physically nonlinear arbitrary 3D bar.

Click Apply .

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 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015 Example 7

Figure 7.18 Change FE type dialog box

To assign stiffness to elements of the beam:

On the Create and edit ribbon tab, on the Stiffness and restraints panel, click Material properties

button .
In the Stiffness and materials dialog box (see Fig.7.11a), in the List of stiffness types, select stiffness
type '1*.T-section 30x60'.
Click Set as current type. In this case selected type will be displayed in the Stiffness box in the Assign
to elements of the model area. To assign current type of stiffness, you could also double-click
appropriate row in the list.
Select with the pointer elements No.1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8.

In the Stiffness and materials dialog box, click Apply .

In the Stiffness of elements dialog box, in the List of stiffness types, select ‘2*.T-section 30x60’.
Click Set as current type.
Select with the pointer elements No.4 and 5.
In the Stiffness of elements dialog box, click Apply.

Step 5. Applying loads

To create load case No.1:

To define load from dead weight of the slab, on the Create and edit ribbon tab, select the Loads panel

and click Add dead weight .

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 Example 7 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015

In the Add dead weight dialog box (see Fig.7.19), click All elements and specify Load factor as equal

to 1. Then click Apply (dead weight of elements is added automatically).

Figure 7.19 Add dead weight dialog box

To create load case No.2:

To change the number of the current load case, click the Next load case button located on the
Status bar or on the toolbar.
Select all elements with the pointer.
On the Create and edit ribbon tab, select the Loads panel, then select Load on bars command

from the Loads on nodes and elements drop-down list.

In the Define loads dialog box (see Fig.7.20), specify Global coordinate system and direction along the
Z-axis (default parameters).

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 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015 Example 7

Figure 7.20 Define loads dialog box

In the Load type area, click Uniformly distributed load button .

In the Load parameters dialog box specify P = 0.3 t/m (see Fig.7.21).

Click OK .

Figure 7.21 Load parameters dialog box

In the Define loads dialog box, click Apply .

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 Example 7 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015

To create load case No.3:

To change the number of the current load case, click the Next load case button located on the
Status bar or on the toolbar.
Select with the pointer elements of the first span: elements No.1, 2, 3 and 4.

In the Load type area, click Uniformly distributed load button .

In the Load parameters dialog box specify P = 0.87 t/m.

Click OK .

To create load case No.4:

Do not close the Define loads dialog box. Then change number of the current load case for 4 (button

on the Status bar). In this case, current load will remain as equal to P = 0.87 t/m as it was defined for
the previous load case.
Select with the pointer elements of the second span: elements No.5, 6, 7 and 8.

In the Define loads dialog box, click Apply .

Step 6. Modelling nonlinear load cases with account of creep in concrete

To analyse beam with load in different spans, it is necessary to apply loads in two sequences.

To define the first sequence of load application – load cases 1, 2 and 3 (load in the first span):

On the Analysis ribbon tab, on the Nonlinearity panel, click Step-type method (button on the
toolbar).
In the Model nonlinear load cases of structure dialog box (see Figure 7.22), click the Add button

(in the left part of the dialog box, under History, the first load history is added and the row with load
case indicated with question mark will become selected automatically).
For the first load case define the following parameters:
load case No. – 1;
select Step (1) in the Analysis method list box;
select Equal steps option and define number of steps 5;
select Displacement and forces after every step in the Print results list box;
in the Display intermediate results list, select Display all option.

Click Apply .

To add rows for parameters of the second load case, select the row for the first load case and then click

the Add button .

Select the row for the second load case and define the following parameters:
load case No. – 2;

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 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015 Example 7

select Step (1) in the Analysis method list box;

under the Values of load factors for steps, click Equal steps. Then define number of steps equal to
30.
select Displacement and forces after every step in the Print results list box;
in the Display intermediate results list, select Display all option.

Click Apply .

To add rows for parameters of the third load case, select the row for the second load case and then click

the Add button .

Select the row for the third load case and define the following parameters:
load case No. – 3;
select Step (1) in the Analysis method list box;
under the Values of load factors for steps, click Equal steps. Then define number of steps equal to
30.
select Displacement and forces after every step in the Print results list box;
in the Display intermediate results list, select Display all option.

Click Apply .

Figure 7.22 Model nonlinear load cases of structure dialog box

To define the second sequence of load application – load cases 1, 2 and 4 (load in the second span):

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 Example 7 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015

In the Model nonlinear load cases of structure dialog box (see Figure 7.23), under History, select the

first history of loadings and click the Add button .

When the line indicated with question mark is selected, define the following parameters:
load case No. – 1;
select Step (1) in the Analysis method list box;
under the Values of load factors for steps, click Equal steps. Then define number of steps equal to
5.
select Displacement and forces after every step in the Print results list box;
in the Display intermediate results list, select Display all option.

Click Apply .

To add rows for parameters of the second load case, select the row for the first load case and then click

the Add button .

Select the row for the second load case and define the following parameters:
load case No. – 2;
select Step (1) in the Analysis method list box;
under the Values of load factors for steps, click Equal steps. Then define number of steps equal to
30.
select Displacement and forces after every step in the Print results list box;
in the Display intermediate results list, select Display all option.

Click Apply .

To add rows for parameters of the fourth load case, select the row for the second load case and then

click the Add button .

Select the row for the fourth load case and define the following parameters:
load case No. – 4;
select Step (1) in the Analysis method list box;
under the Values of load factors for steps, click Equal steps. Then define number of steps equal to
30.
select Displacement and forces after every step in the Print results list box;
in the Display intermediate results list, select Display all option.

Click Apply .

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 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015 Example 7

Figure 7.23 Model nonlinear load cases of structure dialog box

To take account of creep in concrete:

To take account of creep in concrete for the first sequence of load application, under History, select the
first history of loads (see Figure 7.24).
Then in the Creep box, define with spaces number of days equal to 365 and 730 (after these number of
days, creep in concrete will be considered in analysis).

To take account of creep in concrete for the second sequence of load application, under History, select
the second history of loads.
Then in the Creep box, define with spaces number of days equal to 365 and 730 (after these number of
days, creep in concrete will be considered in analysis).

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 Example 7 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015

Figure 7.24 Model nonlinear load cases of structure dialog box

To input defined data, click OK .

Step 7. Physically nonlinear analysis of beam

To carry out analysis, on the Analysis ribbon tab, select the Analysis panel and in the Analyse drop-

down list, click Complete analysis .

Step 8. Review and evaluation of analysis results

When analysis procedure is complete, to review and evaluate results of physically nonlinear analysis,
select the Results and Advanced results ribbon tabs.

In the mode of analysis results visualization, by default design model is presented with account of nodal
displacements (see Fig.7.25). To display the model without nodal displacements, on the Results ribbon

tab, on the Deformations panel, click Initial model button .

Figure 7.25 Design model with account of nodal displacements

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 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015 Example 7

To hide presentation of node numbers and of loads on design model:

On the Select toolbar, click Flags of drawing button .

In the Display dialog box, clear the Node numbers check box on the Nodes tab.
In the same dialog box, clear the Loads check box on the General tab.

Click Redraw .

To present diagrams of internal forces:

To display diagram My (see Fig.7.26), on the Results tab, select Forces in bars panel and click

Diagrams My button .

Figure 7.26 Diagram of bending moments My

To display diagram Qz (see Fig.7.27), on the Results tab, select Forces in bars panel and click

Diagrams Qz button .

Figure 7.27 Shear force diagram Qz

To display mosaic plots My, on the Results tab, select Forces in bars panel and click Mosaic plot of

forces in bars command in the Force diagrams/Mosaic plots drop-down list. Then click
button.

To change number of active load case:

On the status bar (displayed at the bottom of the screen), in the Load case No. list, select No. 2 and click

Apply .

To change number of time interval for account of creep in concrete:

On the Status bar, in the Mode shape No. (component, time interval) list, select the row for the first

time interval for account of creep in concrete (1) and click Apply .

To display intermediate results:

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 Example 7 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015

To display analysis results for 20% load application from the first load case, in the Mode shape No.

(component, time interval) list, select the row 1 (20%) and click Apply .

To select the history of nonlinear load case automatically, click the Apply current load case No.

automatically button .
To display analysis results for this load case, use the Next button at the Change load case No. list or at
the Mode shape No. (component, time interval) list.

To display results by cracks in bar elements:

On the Status bar, in the Mode shape No. (component, time interval) list, select the row for zero time
interval for account of creep in concrete (0).
To display analysis results by cracks in bar elements, on the Advanced results tab, on the Fracture

pattern panel, select the Cracks in bars command in the Plates/Bars drop-down list.

To display the depth of crack propagation, click the Depth of crack propagation (Bars) button .

To display the width of crack propagation, click the Width of crack propagation button .

To preview information about cracks in a certain element, on the Select toolbar, click the Information

about nodes and elements button and then specify with the pointer certain element, e.g. element
No.4.
In the Information about element dialog box (see Fig. 7.28), to display parameters of section with
cracks, select the Cracks check box.

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 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015 Example 7

Figure 7.28 Information about element No.4 dialog box

To display analysis results for the second section, in the Show section list, select number 2.
To modify the time interval for account of creep in concrete, use the Time interval list (after the second
time interval you will see intermediate results).
To switch to another nonlinear load case, use the Load case No. list.

In the Fig.7.29 you will see intermediate results for the state of cracks for the first section of element No.8 of
the 2nd nonlinear load case (the second sequence of load application) when 76.67% of load from the 4th
load case is applied.

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 Example 7 Tutorial on LIRA-SAPR version 2015

Figure 7.29 Parameters of section with cracks dialog box

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