Form: Deformed Shape
After an analysis has been run, SAP2000 will automatically display a deformed shape of the model. Use the Display menu > Show Deformed Shape command to display the Deformed Shape form and select additional display options.
Case/Combo Name drop-down list. Select the name of a Load Case or Load Combination to be displayed. The selection made in this area of the form determines the other input required on the form.
Multivalued Options The type of load case/combination determines which option is available:
For multi-mode cases, choose the mode number for which results are to be shown.
For multi-step cases, choose the step number, time step, or frequency step; or choose Envelope to view the maximum and/or minimum results over all steps.
Caution: When envelopes are displayed, the deformed shape is based on the maximum or minimum displacement at each degree of freedom, whichever has the larger absolute value. The result is a deformed shape that may not correspond to any particular state.
For steady-state load cases only, choose the phase angle for which results are to be shown, or choose Magnitude to view the resultant of the in-phase and out-of-phase components (see Area Contours/Draw Displacement Contours on Area Objects check box, below).
Scaling options. Select the Scaling method. The Auto option will automatically set the scale factor. The Scale Factor option can be used to exaggerate the displacements relative to the geometry of the structure. If Auto was selected previously, the Scale Factor edit box will display the scale factor previously used.
Area Contours area and Draw Displacement Contours on Area Objects check box. When this check box is checked, additional options are available on the form, including:
Draw Displacement Contours on Area Objects option. With this option, SAP2000 will draw displacement contours on area objects.
Show Displacement Contours as Lines option. With this option, SAP2000 will show the displacement contours as lines.
Area Contour Components options. Select the contour components to be displayed (Ux, Uy, Ux, Area 1Axis, Area 2 Axis, Area 3 Axis).
Resultant Magnitude check box. With this option, SAP2000 will display the resultant of the in-phase and out-of-phase components.
Area Contour Range option. Use the Min and Max edit boxes to specify the range for the contour to be displayed.
Note: When the Options menu > Show Result Value While Scrolling command is preceded by a check mark (i.e., is enabled), a small text box of results will display when the mouse cursor is moved over a deformed shape.
Note: The Area Contours ares will not appear on the form if no areas are included in the model.
Options
Wire Shadow check box. Checking the Wire Shadow check box will also display the undeformed shape as a reference for comparison with the deformed shape.
Cubic Curve check box. Checking the Cubic Curve check box will display the deformed frame objects using a cubic-curve fit.
Click the OK button to update the display.
With the Deformed Shape displayed on screen, click the Start Animation button on the status bar to animate the deformed shape. Change the animation speed using the slide control next to the Start Animation button. To stop the animation, click the Stop Animation button. Use the Options menu > Sound command to toggle accompanying sound on and off.
Joint Displacement
View the displacement components for a single joint by right clicking on a joint. The selected joint is highlighted and values are displayed in a floating Joint Displacements window. Clicking on any other joint updates the display. Clicking anywhere except on a joint closes the Joint Displacements window.
Note: Joint displacements can not be displayed during animation.
See Also