Release 5.

1 Enhancements

Release 5.1 Enhancements

ENGINEERING DYNAMICS, INC.

2113 38TH STREET
KENNER, LOUISIANA 70065
U.S.A.

No part of this document may be

reproduced in any form, in an
electronic retrieval system or
otherwise, without the prior
written permission of the publisher.

Copyright 2001 by
ENGINEERING DYNAMICS, INC.
Printed in U.S.A.

Release 5.1 Enhancements

Release 5.1 Enhancements

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SACS Release 5.1 Overview .............................................................................................................
System Interface ..........................................................................................................................
Interactive Programs ...................................................................................................................
General System Enhancements ...................................................................................................

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PROGRAM UPDATE DETAILS .....................................................................................................

Collapse .......................................................................................................................................
Collvue ........................................................................................................................................
Combine ......................................................................................................................................
Data Generator ............................................................................................................................
Dynamic Response ......................................................................................................................
Dynpac ........................................................................................................................................
Edit Key ......................................................................................................................................
Executive .....................................................................................................................................
Fatigue .........................................................................................................................................
Flotation ......................................................................................................................................
Gap ..............................................................................................................................................
Interactive Fatigue ......................................................................................................................
Joint Can .....................................................................................................................................
Launch .........................................................................................................................................
MTO ............................................................................................................................................
Pile ..............................................................................................................................................
Post Processor .............................................................................................................................
Postvue ........................................................................................................................................
Pre Processor ...............................................................................................................................
Precede ........................................................................................................................................
Prevue .........................................................................................................................................
PSI ...............................................................................................................................................
SACS/WAMIT ...........................................................................................................................
Seastate .......................................................................................................................................
Tow .............................................................................................................................................
Wave Response ...........................................................................................................................

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Release 5.1 Enhancements

SACS Release 5.1 Overview
With the release of version 5, the SACSTM system was redeveloped for the WindowsTM
environment. Release 5.1 concentrates on improving the usability and efficiency of the
system by providing a new more recognizable interface, giving new selection
capabilities, more file naming flexibility, improved project features and elimination of
ancillary input files.
In addition, the system has been expanded to accept alpha-numeric joint names which, in
conjunction with the alpha-numeric load case names added in Release 5.0, allows for
unlimited model sizes. The following is an overview of some of the changes made to the
system:

System Interface

The SACS front end has been redesigned to use an interface found in most
Windows applications.
New file naming capabilities allows for unlimited number of characters for file
types, program names and file ID. See the File Naming dialog under the Settings
menu.
Project data is now readily accessible and allows for modification and deletion
of project and task data.
Sub-tasks which allow items to be further grouped within a task have been added
to the project capabilities.
Input files for many items such as joint connection check, extracting mode
shapes, wave response, earthquake, etc. have been made optional.
Output listing files can be created in HTML format and may be viewed with the
HTML viewer shipped with the SACS system. See the Runfile tab under
Settings/Executive.
Plot Soil icon has been added which allows plotting soil data by selecting or
dragging PSI or Pile input file.
The new System Accessories pane contains utilities to view system installation
data, e-mail EDI directly, update keys and view key contents.
System installation information such module versions, sizes and dates can be
obtained by clicking on the System Info icon under the System Accessories pane
in the Icon bar.
E-mail queries can be sent directly from the SACS system using the Send Mail
icon on the System Accessories pane or the Send Mail to EDI feature under the
Help menu.
Key update code file can now be identified in the system and can be dragged
over the Edit Key icon in the System Accessories pane.
The run file wizard now verifies that input files specified by the user are the
proper type of file required.

Interactive Programs

The selection capabilities have been expanded to allow for selection by selected
elements, elements in a window, on the screen, all elements or elements in a
group.
Details and properties of an element is available by right clicking on the element.
Tool tips that show the joint, plate or member name are available.

Release 5.1 Enhancements

Interactive programs now support shell and solid elements.

X-brace and K-brace code check buckling data per API recommendations can be
generated automatically upon creation of the brace members.
Files created by interactive programs automatically appear in the system file
explorer and can be optionally registered to the project upon saving.
Toolbars in the interactive modules are completely customizable by right
clicking on the toolbar and selecting the Customize menu.
Data Generator now color codes lines based on line type and content.

General System Enhancements

Alpha-numeric joint names allow more versatility in naming nodes as well as

allows for unlimited model size.
System supports long filenames as well as filenames with blanks. Filename
lengths are supported up to 256 characters.
Added the ability to convert SACS solution file to a Femsys view file.
Gap element data can be specified directly in the model file. Dummy load cases
are not required for gap elements specified in the model.
Ring spacing can be specified directly on the member.
Enhanced tee and angle sections to allow the user to designate that the stem or
leg is fulling braced against buckling.
The latest Norsok N-004 code issued by the Norwegian Technology Standards
Institute has been included.
Added new plate temperature load capabilities that allow plate uniform
temperature, temperature at the joints, and/or temperature at the surfaces to be
specified.
System enhanced to allow P-delta analysis in conjunction with a PSI analysis.
Includes option to include buoyancy of elements below the mudline when
generating self weight and buoyancy.
X-brace and K-brace facilities contain option to create code check buckling
length parameters per API recommendations automatically.
Incorporated ABS 2000 wind load generation.
Added the ability to ignore the self weight of the structure when generating
inertia loading using the Tow program module.
Friction gap elements where the lateral capacity is determined from the
coefficient of friction and reference load have been added.

Release 5.1 Enhancements

PROGRAM UPDATE DETAILS
Each of the SACS programs has been greatly enhanced and improved. The following
pages detail changes and enhancements by program:

Collapse

The collapse history is now saved to a log file as well as echoed to the SACS
analysis status window while executing.
Added a joint strength report which allows reporting of joints with unity check
greater than a user specified amount. The unity check cutoff is entered in
columns 31-35 on the JSOPT line.
Grouted legs (concentric tubular elements) are now supported.
Non-linear springs between joints have been added and are input using the
NLSPJJ line.
The program now supports adhesion data in the foundation soil.
Output now lists the load step when reporting the occurrence of plasticity.

Collvue

Display capabilities have been improved to include the same functionality as

other interactive programs (i.e. rows, plans, rotate display, hiding disconnected
joints, drawing joint symbols, joint range, etc.).
Fixed plotting so that plot contents are no longer clipped.
Fixed problem where resizing a window after two line drawing was causing a
green screen.
Corrected problem where program terminated when plotting member Von Mises
stress.
The load step graph now reflects the minimum and maximum values set for
plotting.
Plots are shown on the screen automatically if plot options are set by the user.
Pile pullout and punch through are now included in the history report.
Reports now allow selecting members by member property group.
Improved load step animation to make it smoother and allow user to terminate
with <Esc> key.
Added joint capacity and non-linear springs to the output reports.

Combine

Program now supports combination of solution files containing shell and solid
elements.

Line blocking capabilities have been improved to allow using the up and down
cursors along with <Page up> and <Page Down> keys.
Supports the <Delete> key functionality when lines are highlighted as well as
supports shortcut keystrokes such as <CTRL> V, <CTRL> X, etc.
Program identifies a Section library file in both English and Metric units.
Added support of the numeric keypad on the keyboard.
The ability to insert comment lines has been added.
Supports double click on a line to bring up the line contents dialog box.

Data Generator

Release 5.1 Enhancements

Dynamic Response

Made Dynamic Response input file for spectral earthquake analyses optional.
Added ability to turn off the spatial auto correlation coefficient for spectral wind
analysis, thus resulting in the Harris spectrum being considered constant over the
length of the structure.
Spectral wind analysis now supports alpha-numeric load case names.
Added CQC Base Shear and Moment direction report when generating
equivalent static loads.
Fluid damping no longer cause the program to terminate for a spectral
earthquake analysis.

Dynpac

Made Dynpac input file optional.

Now supports unlimited number of free degrees of freedom.
Added a new Weight and Center of Gravity report that summarizes the mass
used.

Keys can be updated from the System Accessories pane. Key update files can be
selected or dragged over the Edit Key icon.
Keys can be updated by dragging the update code file over the Edit Key icon
under the System Accessories pane.

Edit Key

Executive

Now supports execution of Seastate as part of a large deflection analysis.

Added a member section library type to the filename filter in the file open
dialog.
All modules required in a runfile are checked out prior to executing ensuring that
if an analysis starts it will not encounter any key related problems during
execution.
Allows analysis to be executed if a Postvue database is open in the same
directory.
Added the ability to define a default worksheet file to be used when no project is
active.
Ability to run multiple runfiles located in different directories has been added.
System can now ignore a local key so that a network key can be accessed
without removing the local key. See the General tab under Settings/System
Configuration.
Project tasks can contain sub or child tasks which allows task data to be further
grouped.
Projects and tasks can be modified and deleted.
When a file is copied when a project is active, the user is prompted if they want
to register the file to the project as part of the copy procedure.
System environmental variables are no longer required in the config.sys or
autoexec.bat file.
Input files for many program modules including Dynpac, Dynamic Response,
Wave Response, Gap and Joint Can have been made optional. Settings can be

Release 5.1 Enhancements

designated using the Analysis Opts button in the Runfile Wizard.

Output files can be generated in HTML format by setting the option on the
Runfile tab under Settings/Executive.
User is prompted to supply new worksheet filename if the worksheet file path is
not found. If the path is valid but the file does not exist, it is created
automatically.
Fixed problem where list file did not appear in the error log if show warnings in
results log is off and list file had warnings but no errors.
All input files specified when creating a runfile are checked to ensure that they
are the correct file type.
The ability to run analyses on a server if a network site license key is available
has been added. Set the Run in server directory using server CPU Execute
option on the Execute tab under Settings/Executive.
Added ability to run entire analysis in a scratch directory so that when files are
on a network, they are copied to a local scratch directory then executed with the
files local. Results are copied back to current directory when analysis is finished.
Set the Run in dedicated server using local CPU Execute option on the Execute
tab under Settings/Executive.
Worked around Windows 2000 problem of not having the Open dialog set to the
default directory.
Can view project files and/or all of the files in the current directory when a
project is being used.
Jacket geometry files default operation has been changed to Open with Precede.
Fixed problem where information to create a suplimnetal post file was not
included in the runfile.

Fatigue

Listing file now contains the correct fatigue title specified in the input file.
Fixed problem where the program terminated if a non-existent joint was
specified or a joint name was repeated on the JSLC line.
The ability to specify a grouted joint effective thickness limit like joint can has
been added.
Program now recognizes the DE option for in-line tubular SCF option.
Fixed round off problem when normalizing scatter diagram with occurrence
ratios specified to the third or fourth decimal place.
Corrected problem caused when JNTSEL lines are used in conjuction with JSLC
lines where some of the joint specified on the JSLC lines were not included in
the output
Added KT load path calculation to all SCF formulations that support KT
connections.

Flotation

Added the ability to control sling length as part of a load step using the SLLENG
line.

Made Gap input file optional.

Added ability to specify allowable stress modifier for combinations defined in

Gap

Release 5.1 Enhancements

the Gap input file using the LCOMB line.

The program now passes the supplemental post file option to the Combine
program.
Gap element data can be specified in model file on the GRUP line in column 30
or on MEMBER line in column 22.
Added the ability to override the gap element type for a particular load case for
members or groups of members using the LCGAP MEM or LCGAP GRP lines,
respectively.

Interactive Fatigue

Fixed units reported for effective chord length for SCF calculations for metric
models.
User defined S-N data defined using the The SN-USR line is now supported.
Fixed the Transfer function report headers.
The Response function report has been corrected so that the correct RMS stress
and zero crossing periods are reported.
Supports user defined thickness dependent S-N curves
Added KT load path calculation to all SCFs that support KT connections.
Reports functionality has been updated to send all reports to the default editor.

Joint Can

Made Joint Can input file optional.

Corrected Load Path Report so asterisks do not appear in the joint name field.
Added option to not limit the allowable shear to 0.4Fy for API codes by entering
N in column 51 on the JCNOPT line.
Removed the requirement that the segment length for a segment representing a
joint can must be greater than zero. Allows the joint can segment to have no
length specified as long as all other segments have lengths specified.
Added ability to sort by highest UC in the summary report (similar to fatigue
summary with life ratio) by entering FL, UC, or MX in columns 54-55 on
the JCNOPT line and leaving the Joint Order option blank.
Program gives warning when using a tubular SECT line for the chord or brace
that has different Iy and Iz. The message Warning Section xxxxx has
asymmetric stiffness properties. Punching check is only applicable to simple
tubular joints is printed if the difference ratio of moments of inertia is greater
than 0.001.
Reports AMOD or Material Factors as part of the output listing.
Ignores the title line if the title is blank.

Launch

Plot capabilities have been expanded to include full plot of the structure in the
sequence plots.
Plots now include various views of the structure on the barge during the launch
sequence.

MTO

Problem where density overrides on the GRUP, MEMBER, GRPOV and

GRPCST lines were ignored for non-tubular members has been fixed.

Release 5.1 Enhancements

The exclude option on the GRPCST line has been fixed so that member groups
designated are excluded from all analysis.

Now supports PSI input file with more than one pile group and more than one
soil.
Program no longer terminates when soils defined in the input file are not
referenced by any piles.

Pile

Post Processor

The Member Detail Report has been updated so that the hydrostatic collapse
unity check ratio matches that reported in the Hydrostatic Collapse Report.
Implemented code check for tapered members.
Added option to remove the moment amplification when p-delta effects are
already included by entering M in column 34 on the OPTIONS line.
Enhanced T and angle sections to allow the user to designate that for AISC WSD
checks, the stem of the tee or the leg of the angle is fulling braced against
buckling by entering S in column 15 on the SECT line.
Enhanced the program so that by default uses ring spacing specified on the
MEMB2 line.
Fixed problem that caused the beginning of the supplemental post file to be
omitted.
Corrected problem where Cb setting was ignored for AISC LRFD code.

Postvue

Enhanced the member review capability so that two members between the same
joints can be reviewed.
Corrected problem where Ly was being shown as ***** when reviewing by a
member group.
Fixed the moment reaction label for metric units where the values were off by a
factor of ten.
Unbraced length of compression flange designated on the group line are now
considered when labeling.
Enhanced the reporting capabilities so that all members connected to a joint are
reported when entering only that joint name in the Joint Name Table.
Corrected the metric unit label for stresses in the Joint Review feature.
Fixed problem in moment diagrams for metric unit set where the value of
negative moments was displayed incorrectly.
Corrected the member modification report so that the correct unity check ratio is
shown for a redesigned member.

Pre Processor

Fixed problem where the properties of plate stiffener properties referenced from
the euronew.sec section library had incorrect moment or inertia and area when
using metric units.
Corrected problem where no reports were generated when running PSI with
P-delta with out specifying load case selection with a ST option.
Now ignores zero entered in a joint field for a solid element.

Release 5.1 Enhancements

Program no longer terminates when shell element pressures are included in the
model.
Load cases are no longer deleted if no valid input loading is found for that load
case. Invalid loading data is ignored and warning message is generated.
Enhanced to allow P-delta analysis in conjunction with a PSI analysis.

Precede

Enhanced to open the default web browser when exporting a VRML file with the
automatic open option turned on.
Improved data check utility so that invalid input such as group data in the
loading section and invalid location on member concentrated or distributed
loading is reported to the user.
Shows a composite list of all views designated by the user when plotting selected
views.
Fixed problem where all joints were highlighted if the screen was minimized
after using the Joint/Find facility.
Enhanced the automatic joint naming capabilities so that if the next joint name to
be generated is out of the range of the system (ie. too many characters), it starts
at the beginning to find the next available name.
Corrected problem where the loading was not divided properly when a member
was divided.
Allows setting all properties of multiple selected members to the last member
selected by clicking the Set values to last member check box.
Display/Zoom Box/Delete Joints now deletes loads assigned to the deleted
joints.
Fixed problem where the PDMS macro file was not saved if the default directory
had a blank space in the name.
The Load/Self Weight feature has been enhanced to consider wild cards in the
Display selection. Also the all option has been changed to include the entire
structure regardless of the selection settings.
Corrected the colors when exporting a plot from the connection manual design
feature.
Now supports plates with no name.
Fixed member report so that member data is reported properly if the member was
initailly defined with out assigning it to a property group.
The load case labels are saved immediately after the LOADCN line in the model
file for basic load cases.
Display volume functionality has been changed so that the volume settings apply
to the current or active window only and are not applied to other windows.
Enhance the save view feature to include zoom information and disconnected
joint setting.
Shell and solid elements are now displayed and passed to the model file when
saving.
The Member/Find feature has been fixed so that the correct member length is
reported.
Problem with the Member Offset function deleting offset data when picking
numerous members with offset data already defined has been fixed.

Release 5.1 Enhancements

Load summation report has been enhanced to handle member loading applied to
a member when the load distance is measure from the end joint instead of the
start joint.
Corrected problem when adding members loads on a series of members and the
starting distance is greater than the length of the first member.
Editing a Joint Load Mx value now converts the input units ft-kip to the output
units in-kip properly.
Display/Labeling/Member/Lb now displays the Lb values from the member
group if no value is specified on the MEMBER line.
Corrected the problem where specified deflections and springs data was not
being read when importing Seastate input or Sacs models.
Fixed problem where offset with value greater than 40 on plate elements
generated using Joint/Grid feature were incremented by 0.01 when the model
was saved.
Joint move relative feature has been fixed to retain the fixity of the joint selected
to be moved.
Fixed the duplicate functionality so that the structure can be duplicated more
than once if a scale factor other that 1.0 is input.
Allows load cases containing only plate temperature loads to be included in a
load combination.
New Joint/Connection/Mesh to Beam Transition feature adds offsets from the
perimeter plates of a tubular mesh to the center joint representing the transition
from plate elements to beam elements.
The Load/ Member Group option has been expanded to include the same load
types as Load/Member.
Expanded the plate offset report to include offsets from plate groups.
Plate report has been improved to include thickness, stiffener section label and
stiffener spacing. Additional header information has been added to differentiate
1st stiffener & spacing and 2nd stiffener & spacing.
Program can optionally save the display view settings when the model is closed
so that the last views are shown when the model is reopened.
Options to reset labeling, reset selection criteria and reset volume settings have
been added when opening a new window for viewing.
Program now checks for existing joint names when adding a new leg.
Increased the number of selected items allowed to 200.
Warning is given if a segmented member is divided so that the user is informed
that group properties may not be valid.
Joint/Design/Manual Set Gap Longitudinal feature now allows the user to select
the braces with the mouse.
The mudline elevation specified in the New Structure Wizard is automatically
put on the LDOPT line if generate Seastate hydrodynamic loading switch is
selected.
Added tool tip for joints, plates and members which allows a right click to get
drop down menu features.
Added the capability to draw a bubble line when dimensioning.
Enhanced the Display volume features to allow user to set volume extremities by
selecting a joint.
Added ability to import Seastate input file into the model.

Release 5.1 Enhancements

Warns when importing a model if duplicate member groups, sections, plate

groups, plate stiffeners, etc are encountered.
The capability to rename load conditions has been added.
Implemented the ability to define shell offsets and thickness in addition to solid
offsets.
X-brace and K-brace facilities contain option to create code check buckling
length parameters per API recommendations.
The average joint thickness is now handled correctly when generating dead loads
or load summations.
Fixed problem where reordering of joints when the new joint names conflict
with the original names resulted in joint and members loads having an incorrect
joint name.

Prevue

Added a print option under Settings so that the user can print color plots in black
and white.
Enhanced plot routine so that zoomed views are plotted as shown on the screen.
Fixed problem where screen was blanked out after printing a plot.

PSI

Corrected the critical load reported in the pile capacity report where the critical
load of the previous load case was being used if the maximum load in the pile
was less than the critical load of the previous load case.
Enhanced to handle instability in the axial solution due to the negative slopes in
the T-Z data.
Enhanced error trapping to notify the user if the number of piles defined in the
soil data does not match the number of pileheads.

SACS/WAMIT

Enhanced to handle extraneous crane connection joints on the CRANE line that
are also specified on the CRNJNT line.

Outputs hydrostatic end forces obtained from the rational buoyancy method on
members with end release as joint forces instead of member end forces.
Allows input of user defined wave data by specifying the wave type as CARD
or LINE.
Enhanced program so LCSEL lines are passed through when running PSI
analysis with P-delta option.
Fixed the units label for the Parameters Used for Hydrodynamic Loads report
when using metric units.
Corrected problem where the model was not passed to the OCI file when the
CMB option was used in conjunction with dynamic options.
Added a report to show wind shield elevations.
Incorporated ABS 2000 wind load generation.
Fixed problem where the hydrostatic option was not compatible with dynamic
options.

Seastate

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Release 5.1 Enhancements

Enhanced error trapping so that invalid data within a load case causes an error
instead of terminating the program.
The Center or Gravity report enhanced to include moment couples.
Corrected problem where error message that segment had a zero length was
given for tapered members that were not segmented.
The cross section area for plate girders now uses the height specified as the total
height instead of the inside of flange distance.
Loading from wave or current near or below the mudline with magnitude of 0.0
has been eliminated.
LOADCN header is no longer required before the first GNTRF line used to
generate transfer function data.
Allows plotting transfer functions at the same time transfer function wave forces
are generated for static analysis. Use the TRL option on the LDOPT line of
select under the Seastate tab in the runfile wizard.
Corrected problem where the plate group input was not recognizing the "SECM"
data in metric member library file.
The marine growth Cd and Cm data now overrides coefficient of drag and mass
data specified as member overrides.

Tow

Corrected problem where the inertia loading for plates with Z offsets on the plate
group was not generated properly.
Enhanced program so the weight of grout can be optionally considered by
entering GR in columns 25-26 on TOWOPT line.
Added the ability to ignore the self weight of the structure when generating
inertia loading by specifying LO in columns 27-28 on the TOWOPT line.

Wave Response

Fixed problem where program terminated when damping values for individual
modes were input.
Program corrected to support time selection using the TMSEL line.
Incorporated wave kinematics (spreading) for random wave on the WAVTIM
line.
Implemented current blocking on the CURR line.

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