Batch File Control

Form:  Batch File Control

A batch file is a list of SAP2000 model files. When a batch file is run, SAP will open the listed model files in succession, run their analyses, and manage the analysis files (save all, save some files, or delete all files) with no action required by the user. Thus, the File menu > Batch File Control command is useful for running multiple models when the computer is unattended (e.g., overnight).

Note:  Use the Analyze menu > Set Analysis Options command to specify that model definition and analysis results tables be automatically saved after an analysis has been run for a model.  With that option set, use the File menu > Batch File Control command to generate the analysis results of multiple model files (i.e., output tables) as well as the analysis files for those models (i.e., binary files).

Click the File menu > Batch File Control command to access the Batch File Control form. Use the form to complete any of the following:

• Define a New Batch File

  1. Access the Batch File Control form using the File menu > Batch File Control command.

  2. Click the Specify New Batch File Name button. A Windows form for specifying the path and batch file name will appear. Select the path and type the batch file name into the File name edit box. Click the Save button and the batch file name will appear in the Text Batch File Name edit box near the top of the Batch File Control form.

  3. Type the path and name of the model file to be included in the batch file in the SAP2000 Filename (Full Path) edit box near the middle of the form. Alternatively click the Browse For SAP2000 Files button to locate the files. When a file has been located, click on it and the path and filename will appear in the SAP2000 Filename (Full Path) edit box.

  4. Click the Add button in the lower right area of the form to add the file to the list. The path and filename will appear in the display area in the middle of the form.

  5. Click the "Load Cases to Run" drop-down list and choose to have SAP run All load cases, or only Selected cases. The cases are selected when the analysis is run. See Run Analysis for more information about selecting cases.

  6. Click the "Options for Analysis Files" drop-down list and choose from the following:  

     • Save All. SAP2000 will save all of the analysis files generated when the analyses are run. Depending on the size of the model files, this option may require substantial file storage space.

     • Save Recovery Only. SAP2000 will save the minimum number of files needed to generate results. Use this option when file storage space is limited.

     • Delete All. SAP2000 will delete all of the analysis files generated when the analyses are run. Use this option when the Analyze menu > Set Analysis Options command has been used to specify that model definition and analysis results tables be automatically saved after the analysis has been run. Use of the option will limit the space required for file storage.

• Save a Batch File Definition to a Text File

  Save the batch file definition so that it can be recalled and run without redefining the list.

  1. Define a new batch file as described above.

  2. Click the Save Current Batch File List to Text File button.

• Open an Existing Batch Text File

  1. Access the Batch File Control form using the File menu > Batch File Control command.

  2. Click the Browse For Existing Batch Files button. A Windows form for specifying the path and batch file name will appear. Select the path and the batch file name, which will appear in the File name edit box. Click the Open button and the batch file name will appear in the Text Batch File Name edit box near the top of the Batch File Control form.

  3. As necessary use the following buttons to make changes to the list of model files:

  1. • Add button. Follow Steps 3 and 4 of the Define a New Batch File explanation above to add a model file to the batch file definition.

     • Modify button. Highlight the model file name to be modified in the list in the display area in the middle of the form. Follow Steps 5 and 6 of the Define a New Batch File explanation above to change the analysis cases to be run and the management of the analysis files, respectively. Click the Modify button to complete the change(s).

     • Delete button. Highlight the model file name to be deleted in the list in the display area in the middle of the form. Click the Delete button.

     • Change Filename Path button. Click the Change Filename Path button to access the Batch File Path form.

• Run a Batch File

  1. Define a batch file or open an existing batch text file as described above.

  2. Use the Add, Modify, Delete and Change Filename Path buttons to make any necessary changes to the batch definition before running the batch file (see the Open an Existing Batch Text File explanation for more information about using these buttons).

  3. Click the Run Models in Current Batch File List button to begin the batch run. That particular session of SAP2000 cannot be used while the batch file is running.

  4. If the batch file has not been saved to a text file, SAP will prompt you to save it.

  5. When the batch files are complete, the Status of Batch File Analyses form will appear, displaying a summary of the runs in the batch.

• Done button. Click the Done button to close the form.

Note: The Advanced Command Line Switches (/R and /D only) apply to all files listed in the batch file.