How do I link the results from the 2D frame analysis to subsequent calculations?
When using the 2D analysis calculation the results are held in memory and once the calculation is complete these results are deleted (destroyed) so that they don't continue to use memory resources. The calculation produces a report of the analysis results but does not generate any specific variables. This is because the number of required variables to output all of the results would be excessive and it would be very difficult to isolate the values you actually want. The approach is to instead load the analysis model, query the results you are specifically interested in and save those results as variables which can then be used in subsequent calculations.
To link the results from 2D analysis to subsequent calculations
- load the analysis results
- select the context of what you want to query
- query specific results
- destroy the analysis results
Load results:
Using Tedds for Word, type the following expression before the 2D analysis calculation:
_analysisDestroy = False
This ensures that when the 2D analysis calculation is finished the analysis model remains in memory. If you are using a design calculation which is integrated with the 2D analysis the design calculation will destroy the in memory analysis model, you can reload the analysis model using the following three expressions:
SolvCreateSolver() = ?
SolvSetXml( _analysisModel ) = ?
SolvAnalyse() = ?
Select a subset of the model
By default when a model is loaded all the elements in the model are selected and if the model contains load combinations then all load combinations are selected; otherwise all load cases are selected. The selection determines the context of any subsequent queries for specific results. For example if you don't select a specific member or element then querying SolvGetMaxMoment will return the maximum moment for the entire model. To query results for a specific member, element, load case or load combination you must ensure you select the appropriate context first. All the functions you need (with explanations and examples) can be found in the 'Library Access System: Writing your own custom calculations > Calculation writing documentation > Tedds functions > 2D analysis functions > Select'.
Querying results:
Once you have selected the appropriate context you can query specific results and assign them to variables of your choosing. For example, to create a variable "M" with the value of the maximum moment on analysis element number "3" the expressions would be:
SolvSelectClear() = ?
SolvSelectElements(3) = ?
M = SolvGetMaxMoment() = ? kNm (or kip_ft)
In the next example we select the results for a specific load case and query the reactions on two nodes:
SolvSelectClear() = ?
SolvSelectLoadCases( "Permanent" ) = ?
R1 = SolvGetMaxMomentReaction( 1 ) = ?
R2 = SolvGetMaxMomentReaction( 2 ) = ?
All the functions you need (with explanations and examples) can be found in the 'Library Access System: Writing your own custom calculations > Calculation writing documentation > Tedds functions > 2D analysis functions > Results'.
To link to a specific library calculation you just need to use the correct variable names
Destroy the analysis results
SolvDestroySolver() = ?
This will unload the in memory analysis model and results it will not affect the variables you have assigned.
Example
• the Frame Wizard to create a simple goal post frame
• the steps above to fins the maximum moment and shear on the beam
• GetSectionVar to take these values into the EN1993 steel member design Calculation Section
Note
• The text that makes this possible is highlighted in yellow.
• You still need to assign the correct section size and length