From File

Use the Response Spectrum Function Definition - From File form to add or modify a response spectrum definition from a text file.

Please refer to the Response Spectrum Functions topic  for help with the Function Name and Function Damping Ratio edit boxes, and the  Function Graph area of the form.

• Values are options Specify if the values in the data file are Frequency vs Value, or Period vs Value.

• Function File area and File Name display box. Click on the Browse button in the Function File area to access the Pick Response Spectrum Function Data File form to specify the location and filename of the response spectrum data text file. The text file should have period and spectral acceleration values, with one set of period and spectral acceleration values provided on each line. The program then reads the response spectrum function file as follows:

• • First it skips the specified number of Header Lines to Skip (see below).

  • Next it checks to see if a line has a $ symbol as the first character. If it does, the program skips to the next line.

  • If the $ symbol is not the first character on the line,  the program reads the information on the line.

  • If the line is blank or if the end of the file is reached,  the program stops reading and closes the file.

• Header Lines to Skip edit box. Specify the number of lines at the top of the file to skip when the program reads the function text file.

• Convert to User-Defined button. Typically the program does not import the file into its database. It simply maintains a link to the file location. Thus if the response spectrum file is moved, or if the .edb file is moved to another location, the program may suddenly be unable to locate the response spectrum file. When the Convert to User-Defined button is clicked, the program imports the response spectrum into its database file and the data is then always  available to the model. Do not click the Convert to User Defined button until all other input to the form have been reviewed and updated appropriately.

• View File button. Click this button to open the selected file using Windows WordPad and review the content of the file. Changes can be made to the file as is required and practical.

Access the Response Spectrum Function Definition - From File form to define a spectrum function from a text file as follows:

1. Click the Define menu > Functions > Response Spectrum command to access the Define Response Spectrum Functions form. Then do one of the following:

   • Select From File from the Choose Function Type to Add drop-down list; click the Add New Function button.

   • Highlight an existing From File  function definition in the Response Spectra display area and click the Modify/Show Spectrum button.