New Ways to Obtain Intersections Between Objects in SAP2000
Modeling complex geometries, such as sloped roofs or atypical connections between different structural elements, requires extreme precision when defining contact boundaries. Ensuring perfect connectivity between joints, frames, and shell elements is crucial for maintaining the continuity of internal forces and the correct load transfer within the finite element model.
SAP2000v27 has introduced new drawing features that substantially streamline this process, eliminating the need to create auxiliary elements and perform calculations. These tools can detect physical intersections between different types of objects and automatically generate the necessary joints or frames for mesh compatibility.
In this article, we highlight two of these new features:
- Create Points at Line-Area Intersection: Extremely useful for situations where frame elements (like columns) intersect area elements (such as sloped slabs). The command generates joints exactly on the surface of the shell element.
- Create Lines at Area-Area Intersection: Ideal for modeling the junction between two area elements, such as the lateral walls of a shear core and a sloped roof. SAP2000 creates a frame object at the exact line of intersection, acting as a contact boundary.
Practical Application
To demonstrate the effectiveness of these tools, we have prepared a step-by-step video. In this tutorial, we illustrate the modeling of columns and a structural core intersecting a sloped roof slab.
We will show how to force the intersection by translating the top joints, how to apply the new commands to generate the contact geometry, and finally, how to use the Automatic Area Mesh option to ensure a perfectly compatible mesh. The final analysis of the moment contour diagrams proves the proper continuity of the internal forces throughout the structure.
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