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EXAMPLE 1-014
FRAME - EIGENVALUE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE DESCRIPTION
The SAP2000 eigenvalue computations are verified using vibrations of a
cantilever beam.
This example uses several models of an eight foot long cantilever concrete beam
with I22 I33. Each of the models has a different discretization. The first five
bending Eigen modes for each model are compared with the independent solution
provided in Clough and Penzien 1975.
Important Note: Only bending modes are calculated and compared. Shear
deformations are ignored by setting the frame property modification factor for
shear area to zero. Axial and torsional modes are excluded by excluding the Ux
and Rx degrees of freedom from the analysis.
GEOMETRY AND PROPERTIES
Discretization
Model A: 1 element 96 inches long
Model B: 2 elements each 48 inches long
Model C: 4 elements each 24 inches long
Model D: 6 elements each 16 inches long
Model E: 8 elements each 12 inch long
Model F: 10 elements each 9.6 inches long
Model G: 96 elements each 1 inch long

Z
Y

96"
X
Material Properties
E = 3,600 k/in2
Mass per unit volume = 2.3E-07 k-sec2/in4

Section Properties
b = 12 in
d = 18 in
A = 216 in2
I about global Y = 5,832 in4
I about global Z = 2,592 in4

EXAMPLE 1-014 - 1

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TECHNICAL FEATURES OF SAP2000 TESTED

Eigenvalue analysis of a frame with unequal moment of inertia values (I22
I33) for bending modes
Automatic frame subdivision
RESULTS COMPARISON
The independent results are calculated based on formulas presented on page 313
in Clough and Penzien 1975 for a cantilever beam with uniformly distributed
mass and constant EI.

Mode

Output
Parameter

First
mode
for
bending
about
the
Z-axis

Period, sec

First
mode
for
bending
about
the
Y-axis

Period, sec

Independent

Percent
Difference

Model

SAP2000

A (1 elem)

0.054547

+43.53%

B (2 elems)

0.042333

+11.39%

C (4 elems)

0.039090

+2.85%

D (6 elems)

0.038485

E (8 elems)

0.038273

+0.71%

F (10 elems)

0.038175

+0.45%

G (96 elems)

0.038003

-0.01%

A (1 elem)

0.036364

+43.52%

B (2 elems)

0.028222

+11.39%

C (4 elems)

0.026060

+2.85%

D (6 elems)

0.025657

E (8 elems)

0.025516

+0.71%

F (10 elems)

0.025450

+0.45%

G (96 elems)

0.025335

-0.01%

0.038005

0.025337

+1.26%

+1.26%

EXAMPLE 1-014 - 2

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Mode

Output
Parameter

Second
mode
for
bending
about
the
Z-axis

Period, sec

Second
mode
for
bending
about
the
Y-axis

Period, sec

Third
mode
for
bending
about
the
Z-axis

Period, sec

Independent

SAP2000
0

Percent
Difference

Model

SAP2000

A (1 elem)

N.A.

N.A.

B (2 elems)

0.008218

+35.52%

C (4 elems)

0.006651

+9.68%

D (6 elems)

0.006330

E (8 elems)

0.006214

+2.47%

F (10 elems)

0.006160

+1.58%

G (96 elems)

0.006065

+0.02%

A (1 elem)

N.A.

N.A.

B (2 elems)

0.005479

+35.52%

C (4 elems)

0.004434

+9.67%

D (6 elems)

0.004220

E (8 elems)

0.004143

+2.47%

F (10 elems)

0.004107

+1.58%

G (96 elems)

0.004043

0%

A (1 elem)

N.A.

N.A.

B (2 elems)

N.A.

N.A.

C (4 elems)

0.002511

+15.98%

D (6 elems)

0.002321

E (8 elems)

0.002254

+4.11%

F (10 elems)

0.002222

+2.63%

G (96 elems)

0.002166

+0.05%

0.006064

0.004043

0.002165

+4.39%

+4.38%

+7.21%

EXAMPLE 1-014 - 3

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Note that the SAP2000 results for models A, B, C, D, E, F and G are for lumped
mass analyses, with masses lumped 96 inches, 48 inches, 24 inches, 16 inches,
12 inches, 9.6 inches and 1 inch apart, respectively, whereas the independent
solution is derived for a uniformly distributed mass.
COMPUTER FILES: Example 1-014a, Example 1-014b, Example 1-014c, Example 1-014d,
Example 1-014e, Example 1-014f, Example 1-014g
CONCLUSION
The SAP2000 results show an acceptable match with the independent solution as
long as the discretization of the beam is sufficient for the lumped mass analysis
to approximate the uniform mass distribution. In this example, the cantilever
beam needs to be discretized into a number of elements equal to at least three
times the vibration mode considered to obtain acceptable comparison with the
independent results. For example, when considering a second mode of vibration
(SAP2000 mode numbers 3 and 4 in this example), the beam needs to be
discretized into at least 2 * 3 = 6 elements.

EXAMPLE 1-014 - 4

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HAND CALCULATION

EXAMPLE 1-014 - 5

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EXAMPLE 1-014 - 6