When the Load Case Type is Static and the Subtype is Nonlinear Staged Construction, use the Load Case Data form to view and change the definition of a nonlinear direct-integration time-history load case for staged construction. A direct-integration time-history analysis solves equations for the entire structure at each time step, as compared with a modal time-history analysis, which uses the method of mode superposition.
Note: Please refer to the Load Case Data Form topic for information related to the Load Case Name edit box, the Load Case Type and Load Case Subtype drop-down lists, and the Notes Modify/Show and Design buttons.
Stage Definition. A Stage is a collection of Operations that are executed at a given time. Each Stage has a defined duration in days that must be an integer greater than or equal to zero. Each Stage starts with initial conditions equal to the end of the previous Stage. The first stage will start with the initial conditions defined for the Staged-Construction Load Case. During the analysis, the model is first adjusted based on specified Operations and then analyzed for time dependent effects based on the duration of the Stage. If output is requested, it reflects the stress and deflection state of the structure at the end of the stage. - Begin using this area of the form by clicking the Add button.
Use the Duration Days, Provide Output, and User Comments edit boxes in this area of the form to define the stages in the construction sequence. Specify if output should be provided for the stage by choosing Yes or No from the Provide Output drop-down list.
Note: Click the Add button to begin the process of defining the stages.
Add button. Type a value for the number of days in the stage in the Duration edit box; choose to generate output for the stage (Yes) or not (No); add any User Comments; and then click the Add button to add a stage. The program will automatically number the operations.
Add Copy button. Click on an existing entry and then this button to add a copy of the data for that stage to the display list.
Insert button. Highlight a row of data and use the Insert button to insert a row of data above the row of data highlighted in the display list.
Delete button. Click on the stage definition that is to be deleted and click the Delete button.
Stage Operations button. Click this button to display the Stage Data form.
Tree View button. Click this button to display the Staged Construction Tree form, which shows the stage definition in tree form.
Note: When the Tree View button is clicked, the program may display a message indicating that time dependent information has been specified and that the flag to consider this information is set to off. To turn this flag on so that those time dependent properties can be included in the analysis, click the Nonlinear Parameters Modify/Show button (see below) to access the Nonlinear Parameters form; locate the Time Dependent Material Properties item in the Material Nonlinearity Parameters list and change No to Yes.
Results Saved. Click the Modify/Show button to access the Results Saved for Nonlinear Static Load Cases form and specify the results to be saved for the analysis.
Nonlinear Parameters. Click the Modify/Show button to access the Nonlinear Parameters form and specify the Nonlinear Parameters to use for the analysis.
See also
Add Sequential Construction Cases
Access the Load Case Data form for a Nonlinear Staged Construction case as follows:
Click the Define menu > Load Cases command to display the Load Cases form.
Click the Add New Load Case button, or highlight a previously defined load case and click the Add Copy of Load Case or the Modify/Show Load Case button, to display the Load Case Data form.
Ensure that Nonlinear Staged Construction has been selected for the Load Case Type.