This narrative describes how to import point reactions from ETABS to SAFE with existing geometry (slab, raft, pile caps and springs) minus the point reactions.
I drafted this following a conversation from a counterpart in the Middle East and including all the comments and minor additions thereafter.
You can always export the geometry from the ETABS model if you want to. But most likely, you would have done a lot of modifications already such as spring values, reshaping a pilecap, design strips (most importantly) and whatnot and doing it all over again will be a pain in the ass.
So unless you want to resist and go through the troublesome and error-prone path to martyrdom, then this is for you.
Exporting Point Reactions from ETABS
Go to File\Export\Story as SAFE V12.f2k File…
Under “Story to Export” choose the lower most floor (B1 in the example below). For “Loads to Export” choose either “Export Floor Loads and Loads from Above” or “Export Floor Loads and Loads plus Column and Wall Distortions” (if the supports were either pinned or fixed, any of the two would have no difference.) And be sure to select all load cases and load combinations under “Load Cases and Load Combinations to Export”
Press OK and save the exported f2k file.
Import the f2k file to SAFE.
Preparing the SAFE File Which Has the Geometry and Floor Loads and Where the Point Reactions Will Be Imported
Open the $SF file using either Notepad or Wordpad
Delete ALL currently applied point loads under the TABLE: “LOAD ASSIGNMENTS – POINT LOADS” portion
Open the imported f2k file to SAFE, the one that contains the point loads to be transferred.
On the text file containing the raft geometry, replace all the contents under the TABLE: “FUNCTION – RESPONSE SPECTRUM” with the contents coming from the newly imported f2k file to SAFE.
On the text file containing the raft geometry, replace all the contents under the TABLE: “LOAD CASES 07 – RESPONSE SPECTRUM – GENERAL” with the contents coming from the newly imported f2k file to SAFE.
On the text file containing the raft geometry, replace all the contents under the TABLE: “LOAD CASES 08 – RESPONSE SPECTRUM – LOADS APPLIED” with the contents coming from the newly imported f2k file to SAFE.
On the text file containing the raft geometry, replace all the contents under the TABLE: “LOAD CASES 09 – EXTERNAL MODE DATA” with the contents coming from the newly imported f2k file to SAFE.
Save and close the $SF file.
After saving and closing, reimport the $SF file without the point loads to SAFE by opening a new SAFE window and clicking File\Import\SAFE .F2K File…
Save after importing the model.
Extracting the Point Loads and The Point Coordinates From the Exported f2k File From ETABS
Import the f2k file to a new SAFE file as described in procedure #4 above.
On the imported file, points with loads and beams marking the location of walls should be seen.
Export the point loads and point coordinates into mdb by clicking File\Export Model\Access .mdb/.accdb File…
In the dialogue box, choose “Point Coordinates” and “Table: Load Assignments – Point Loads”. Be sure to select all loads in the “Select Load Patterns…” button. Then click the OK button.
Save the .accdb file
Importing the Point Reactions and Point Coordinates to the SAFE File with Complete Geometry
On the open SAFE file with complete geometry without the point loads, click File\Import\Access .mdb/.accdb File…
On the “Import Tabular Database” dialogue box, select “Add to existing model” and click the “Advanced Options…” button
On the ITEMS WITH SAME NAME tab, select the following:“Add DB object to model with new name”12“Add DB item to model with new name”
“Ignore subsequent items”
On the ITEMS IN SAME LOCATION tab, select the following:“Replace old one” under Line and Area Objects “Replace old one” under Point Objects and;
Click OK twice. Choose the appropriate .accdb file and click the Open button
As a sensibility check, compare the resulting point loads applied against the point reactions in ETABS. The result should be the same. Also, you can display the point loads in order to see whether all areas are loaded as intended.
Most importantly, to ensure that the transferred spectral base shear to SAFE is the same with that in ETABS (which should be the same or approximately equal with the static base shear), make sure to untick the 2D Plate option in the “Advanced Modelling Options” dialog box and to check the horizontal base reactions after finishing the run analysis.
Also, make sure that the wall and column positioning in the SAFE model with geometry (old model) is aligned with the latest layout/or align with the new loads/column/wall positioning based on the exported reactions in ETABS. If there are any discrepancies, update the geometry accordingly.
The post SAFE Life Saving Hacks – Importing Point Reactions to An Existing Geometry appeared first on Civil Engineering Community.
source https://www.civilax.com/safe-life-saving-hacks-importing-point-reactions-to-an-existing-geometry/
