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Modelling in SACS
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SACS is a popular structural analysis software, used commonly in the analysis and design of offshore
structures.

This section attempts a brief introduction to using SACS and highlighting key features and differences from
other software for a first time user.

This section is by no means comprehensive and first time users are strongly recommended to read the official
SACS manual and get to know its features, capabilities and limitations before using it.

Some of the key modelling features in SACS that may differ from other software suites:

1. All members are identified by joint to joint ID (e.g., 1500–1505 designates a member, where 1500 and
1505 are joint numbers or node numbers. There are no separate member IDs.
2. Grouping feature is a sort of label to the member. Grouping helps in identifying the size, type of
member and location if labelling is used effectively (e.g., PL1 for pile 1, LG1 for leg 1, MD1 for Main
deck members, etc). A GRUP ID is a must when defining any member like 1500–1505. A group label
can have a maximum of 3 characters.
3. Individual members cannot be defined with material properties. Therefore, every member has to have a
GRUP ID or else the system does not recognize the member. Material properties can be defined to
each group under Properties > Member Group or Plate Group. Caution: All metric sizes are in cm,
e.g., 660×25 tube shall be defined as 66×2.5 (Note: Centimeter or cm is a default in SACS. This is to
reduce the overall stiffness matrix size, and corresponding time in computation).
4. Wishbones are dummy elements that have a finite length and the member has appropriate end releases
to simulate system integrity. (Tip: It is a good idea to generate wishbones via SACS wizard that takes
care of element definitions and offsets.)
5. Member end releases: [0 -- Fixed, 1 -- Free]. For e.g., if 1500–1505 is a moment released member at
the end, then the end release would be defined as 000011.
6. Joint fixities: [0 -- Free, 1 -- Fixed, 2 -- Retained]. For example, if 1500 is a fixed joint, it would be
defined as 111111 (fixed in all six degrees of freedom: x y z rx ry rz).
7. Element properties — Ky, Kz, Unbraced length, Effective length: It is necessary to provide
additional element properties in addition to the modelled length between joint to joint for a better and
more accurate representation of the member, its connectivity, its effective length, etc.
8. Springs are required to be defined on joints with some appropriate spring stiffness (e.g., 100kN/m) to
simulate a certain amount of mathematical stability to the structure or finite element model when
performing analyses such as Lifting.
9. Loading options: Various loading options are available in SACS that include area and skid loading.
(Tip: Use area loading with caution: check and verify load distribution.)

Last updated on: February 27, 2009

1 of 2 12/23/2009 8:26 AM
Modelling in SACS | ckunte.com file:///c:/users/user/desktop/ALL%20DOC/OFFSHORE%20design/model...

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