2016 FAQ Midas Civil
2016 FAQ Midas Civil
2016 FAQ Midas Civil
SOURCE
BOOK
2016 Edition
Technical Materials
Pre-Processing / 23
1.
2.
3.
How to define moving load to curved bridge? 2 point method is not working. Error is displayed that no
element is on the defined lane.
4.
5.
6.
Warnings displayed during analysis that certain load cases have not converged. How to converge all the
load cases?
7.
How to define more modes of vibration? Only a single mode is shown on performing response spectrum
analysis.
8.
Why are certain supports/links, though defined in the model are not applied while performing analysis?
9.
10. How to create a composite PSC / RCC section with an unsymmetrical slab?
11. How to import PSC cable profile from AutoCAD drawing?
12. How to use the material properties defined in one model file in any other model file, without defining it
again?
13. How to reduce the section capacity to model a cracked section approximately?
14. How to import a section from an AutoCAD *.Dxf file?
15. What are Wood Armer moments? How to view in midas Civil?
16. How is the varying longitudinal stiffness of ballast/concrete bed considered for rail track analysis?
17. How to make a taper from composite T section to composite I
18. Plate thickness is not visible in the model while viewing solid view, why?
19. What kind of boundary conditions & elements are available in eigenvalue, response spectrum, and time
history analysis?
20. How to input surface spring coefficient for underground structure?
21. How to input temperature gradient load for a general or PSC section?
22. How to get concurrent reactions due to moving load?
23. What does the error PSC/Composite type of beam section temperature cannot be applied to section of the
element, imply?
Analysis / 9
1.
What is the difference between rigid link and rigid type elastic link?
2.
What is the difference between lane element and cross beam method for vehicular load distribution?
When should each be used?
3.
4.
5.
Why is there a kink while elements activated in different construction stage are connected, when
graphically viewing the results?
6.
How does the software consider beam property changes with pre-stressing tendon?
7.
What is the basis of P- analysis in midas Civil? Secondary moment from P- analysis matches with
classical method calculation using actual stress rather failure stress. Why?
8.
The deformations of master and slave nodes of a rigid link are not exactly same. Why?
9.
Cable element is automatically transformed to equivalent truss element for linear analysis. What does this
message imply?
Post-processing / 12
1.
Why is the model showing reactions at all the nodes, though support has not been provided?
2.
How to verify for the uplift due to moving load? And how to obtain the corresponding vehicle positioning?
3.
4.
Why is dead load results of last construction stage not matching with dead load results in post cs?
5.
6.
Why are the pre-stress losses given by midas Civil not matching with the manual calculations?
7.
8.
Why are the stresses not being displayed for moving load cases in the results?
9.
10. How to view the ultimate moment capacity of PSC girder along with the design moment?
11. How to view results of a particular load case separately in construction stages?
12. How to formulate load combinations for construction stage results?
FAQ
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Display by Group options can be applied to loads as well as all display information that
can be expressed in midas Civil .
5. Different colored elements depending on thickness
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FAQ
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FAQ
2. Selection by number
Enter element numbers in the text box and click on add button. Make sure that the element
numbers are in sequence. Alternatively elements could be renumbered in an increasing
order along the direction of vehicle movement.
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FAQ
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FAQ
1. Element Increment
Copies single or multiple tendons. For example
The number of elements to copy should be same. For example, the Tendon Profile
entered in G1 can be copied to G4 which has the same number of elements. On the
other hand, it cant be copied to G5 since the number of elements is different. As
shown in image above, length of element doesnt matter while copying tendon profile.
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2. Equal Distance
Copies single or multiple tendons. To copy by this option, the coordinates for tendon
profile insertion has to be entered and also the following conditions are to be satisfied.
A node should exist at the distance specified, to copy the tendon profile, from the initial
insertion point of the original element. This node will define the new Insertion Point. An
error message is displayed on absence of this node.
If there is more than one element attached to the initial element, then the Tendon Profile
will be assigned to the attached element that is most linear.
If Straight/Curve type of tendon profile is to be copied, then the original length and
number of elements should be equal to the length and number of elements at the new
location.
NOTE: Clicking on Current assigned element check box copies the tendon profile to the
same element. This option is useful when generating tendons with similar profile in same
element (say, box girder webs). Checking this option off, copies tendons to other elements
provided other element exists at the distance specified.
elements at the same time. To copy the tendon profile, the new assigned elements and
inserting point of tendon needs to be provided.
selected elements.
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FAQ
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FAQ
From Main Menu select Analysis > Analysis Control > Eigenvalue
In general, the number of modes to be considered for free vibration analysis are
determined by modal mass participation. Most of the literature concedes that at least 90%
of modal mass participation should be considered for an acceptable analysis.
The default number of frequencies for eigenvalue analysis is set to 1. Usually, it is more
than 1 which could be altered with suitable number of frequencies in the dialogue box
highlighted above .
Lanczos method
Adopted for relatively simpler structure to study the lower modes. The Lanczos method
may miss some Eigen pairs in the required ones. However for practical eigenvalue
analysis method, the exact dynamic response has to be obtained which requires the
missed eigenvalues to be included. Sturm Sequence Check should be selected to check
the same.
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FAQ
4. The Boundary Group with the support nodes itself is not being activated
The easiest way to detect these problems, is to display all the supports and boundary
from View > Display ( 1 & 2 ) and visually inspect the construction stages for all the
supports/elements that should be active in the respective stages ( 3 ) .
1
3
To rectify this issue, ensure that all the nodes and elements which are to be activated at
specific stage are added to the corresponding structure group.
111111
For example, refer the image to the right where dark blue line
& dots represents the element and nodes respectively. The
rigid link is in light blue, and the brown line with a rectangle is
an elastic link, below which the supports are assigned.
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in
image below.
3. Assign all the supports, support springs, elastic links, general links, rigid links, etc. to
respective Boundary Group which is to be activated in construction stage.
4. This Boundary Group is also to be activated in the Activation window of the
Construction Stage Dialogue box, indicates as B in image below.
Not assigning and activating these supports appropriately during the Construction Stages,
would affect the stability of the structure leading to Warning or Error Messages on
performing Analysis. Implementing the above solution should resolve the problem.
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FAQ
From Main Menu select Boundary > Link > Elastic Link
Enter the Displacement stiffness (SDx, SDy, SDz) and Rotational stiffness (RDx, RDy,
RDz) for the elastic link to simulate the bridge bearings.
The image below on right, shows the elastic link
local axis direction, positive x axis being in the
connecting direction of the two nodes. It is
important to note that the displacement and
rotational stiffness are assigned along elastic link
local axis direction.
In case the exact stiffness values are
y
of
result.
For
111111
say 100
links
to change
the
aligned
Tangential to curve
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FAQ
From Main Menu select Tools > Generator > Section Property Calculator
Select
&
Click Apply
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of
the composite
section by clicking
on
Property > Calculate Composite Property. Enter the mesh size, click on any part of
the composite section and click apply.
8. To generate the section file which could be imported in midas Civil, click on
Model > Section > Composite Section > Export. Enter the file name by clicking on 3
dots in the file name option. Click on file name, any part of composite section and click
apply.
9. In midas Civil, click on Section Property Add and import the generated SEC file as
shown in Section Data Dialogue box above .
Other methods in which AutoCAD drawings could be used for easier modelling with
midas Civil is demonstrated in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDAQbBWEnd4
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FAQ
From Main Menu select Tools > Generator > Tendon Profile Generator
AutoCAD drawing format files need to be converted into DXF files
3
4
5
11
13
6
8
10
12
14
15
16
17
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point of the tendon and the x-z plane coordinates for the tendon
10. Click on locations shown by step no. 10 to 13 in sequence. This is to select the starting
point of the tendon and the x-y plane coordinates for the tendon
14. Enter the element number at which the tendon has to be inserted.
15. Enter the required offset distance for the profile insertion if necessary.
16. Click Add
17. Then OK to create the tendon coordinates on text format.
18. Copy the content
19. Open MCT Command Shell from Tools > Command Shell > MCT Command Shell
20. Paste the contents in the MCT command shell dialogue box
21. Click Run. The profile should now be inserted in the model.
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20
21
Other methods in which AutoCAD drawings could be used for easier modelling with
midas Civil is demonstrated in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDAQbBWEnd4
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FAQ
file
from
which
material
selecting
Keep
ID
existing
will be
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FAQ
As boxed out in the image above, suitable modification factor could be applied for changing
the cross sectional area, shear area, torsion moment of inertia or weight for any section at
desired location and in desired direction.
For example, say to reduce the stiffness of the section on cracking, the moment of inertia
about local y direction could be reduced by a factor. This factor could be assigned to
particular boundary groups as well in case construction stage or boundary change
assignment needs to be performed. The scale factors for I and J end are kept same by
default. However, these can be different in case of a tapered section.
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FAQ
4. Click OK
5. Go to File > Import > AutoCAD .dxf > Browse
should
specified
be
prior
to
step
No.
from
Model > Curve > Change Width > Select the line for
width definition > Check the Width option & specify
width> Apply
10 10
9. Name the Section
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14
13
16
15
Click on the section
and section turns red
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18
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FAQ
Element > Plate or by using the Mesh option. Next is to define Domain. Invoke the
Define Domain dialogue box from Node/Element Tab. To assign the plates to a
particular domain, follow the steps below:
element numbers
Click Add
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Also if different parts of the same domain have different details, then these could be
provided using the subdomain.
On applying the necessary loads and boundary conditions, the Wood
Armer moments could be checked graphically as well as in form of table. For an irregular
hypothetical slab as shown below, the Wood Armer moment result in the direction of
reinforcement (i.e., the design moment) will be more than those in local X and Y directions
of the plate.
Along the red line shown in the image above, the Mxx
value obtained for its dead load was 62kNm, while the
Wood Armer moment, considering the Mxx, Myy and
Mxy, which would all be acting along the direction of
reinforcement, i.e., at 20o angle to the global X
The results could be viewed in tabular format from Results > Results
Tables > Plate > Force (Unit Length) Once the table interface opens, click on Plate
Force (UL:W-A Moment as in image below and select the required load cases as well as
output positions.
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FAQ
The multi-linear link data is available under MEInk Tab, in the table of
Elastic link data.
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FAQ
) as
compared to Composite I section (end J ) , the tapered element could not be generated.
However an as an alternative, we could define T section with so many points as that of I
section and generate the tapering.
Under
Properties > Section Properties, click Add > Composite tab > Composite I
option from the drop down menu, enter the data as per the guide diagram shown below and
generate the required I section.
To generate a composite T section,
using the composite I girder option,
enter the BL1 and BR1 values
slightly lesser (say, 0.5mm lesser)
than the BL4 and BR4 values. By
doing
so,
the
additional points
retaining
the
sectional
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7
8
1. Click on Tapered
2. Select Composite
PSC-I
3. Enter Name
4. Enter basic data like slab width, thickness, etc and import the Size-I and Size-J
sections. These would be the sections that are generated using Composite I girder
option.
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FAQ
For viewing the plate thickness, please follow the instructions given below:
1
2
3
4
Check Plate
Thickness
Option
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FAQ
2)
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FAQ
Ground structure are those which rests on the ground. The structure may sink depending
on the size and shape of the
ground support
boundary conditions of the soil must be in the form of spring having a stiffness rather than
full constraints (Supports).
Midas Civil has boundary conditions, in form of spring stiffness, namely Elastic Link and
Point Spring Supports each with six degrees of freedom. Point Spring Support is a
boundary condition to be entered at a node, and Elastic Link is a boundary condition for
entering between two nodes. Therefore, Point Spring Supports and Elastic Link has to
consider the allotment area for each node to give the spring coefficients in the boundary
condition.
Ground Spring Coefficient = Section Area Ground Reaction Force Coefficient
In the figure below, on left, shows a three-dimensional shape with three nodes, and on the
right is the plan of the figure, the bottom of the tank.
For the boundary conditions to represent the soil type at the bottom surface of the water
tank, you must enter a value at node 17 to input the spring coefficient corresponding to the
area 1m2. Similarly at node 20 and 5, spring coefficient corresponding to the area 0.5m2
and 0.25m2 respectively, has to be entered.
If the geotechnical boundary conditions are to be entered only for a small number of nodes,
you can enter as above, taking into account the contribution of each sectional area.
However, if the nodes you need to enter the geotechnical boundary conditions are multiple
in number, it can become a very cumbersome task.
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Surface Spring Supports function of midas Civil is a feature to enter the soil boundary
conditions which automatically calculates spring coefficient based on the shared sectional
area. By this way you can automatically enter a number of boundary conditions of the
ground at once.
Surface Spring Supports feature is available both for the line-element model and plate /
three-dimensional elements model. For Plate elements / three-dimensional element mode,
the shared area of the selected nodes are automatically considered in the spring coefficient
calculation, and for the line element it is calculated by considering the Shared length
Width entered.
Therefore, the user to enter the geotechnical boundary conditions in the model, must be
using the Surface Spring Supports. And provide width of the ground reaction force
coefficient for line elements.
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FAQ
Change Parameters:
Enter
H1 as 150 mm
H2 as 400 mm
T1 as 4 [C]
T2 as 0 [C]
Click on Add
Value type-
sections
select
Change Parameters:
Enter
H1 as 2850 mm
H2 as 3000 mm
T1 as 0 [C]
T2 as 2.1 [C]
Click on Add
h1
and
Sample Positive
Temperature
Differences Input
General option )
6.
h2
thermal
h3
h1 = 0.15m
h2 = 0.25m
h3 = 0.15m
section definition
8. After entering the above data, Select the relevant elements and click Apply
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FAQ
After definition of live loads, define the concurrent reaction group using the work flow as
shown.
From Main Menu select Load > Moving Load > Moving Load Code > Concurrent
Reaction Group
1
2
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FAQ
assigning the
section
load computation.
However, this option is not applicable for certain type
to
be
selected
for
temperature
gradient
If the user, by mistake applies the PSC/Composite option for such sections, then the user is
warned of the said error message in the message window.
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FAQ
Rigid Link
are
constraint
by
particular
RIGID LINK
body.
In
this
case,
relative
nodal
ELASTIC LINK
However,
the
user
must
be
-100.0
111111
Rigid Link
In case of Rigid Type Elastic Link , the element stiffness is automatically calculated based
on the working model, assigning a large stiffness value of magnitude 105~108 times the
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OK
Master Node
Slave Node
Improper
2
Master Node
Master Node
Improper
Slave Node
ignored.
Model 1 (Rigid Link Elastic Link Support), is the right way to define a boundary
condition.
Support
Support
Support
Elastic Link has not been assigned boundary conditions. In such a case, the links will be
considered as beam elements having the equivalent stiffness. In order to correct this, the
ends of the elastic links must be assigned proper boundary conditions or Point Spring
Support.
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Slave nodes
Master node
UZRXRY
UZRXRY
UZRXRY
node represents 3 additional degrees of freedom. Hence in a model with large number of
nodes in an analysis can result in excessive program execution time, or it may even
surpass the program capacity. It is therefore recommended that the number of degrees of
freedom be minimized as long as the accuracy of the results is not compromised.
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has to be
A structure
group consisting
of all transverse
elements
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FAQ
Feature
Truss Element
Sag is predominant
No Sag
Sag Effect
Superimposition possible
Load
Combinations
General Usage
Usage in Cable
Bridges
Cable Element
Linear combinations of load cases can When non linear behaviour of cable is
be made to compare truss force results. considered, superimposition of load cases
are ruled out and combined effect of loads
has to be considered.
Used for both cable bridges as well as Its effective in case of cable bridges i.e.
for modelling struts and ties of general suspension and cable-stayed bridges,
bridges.
where in large deformation effects can not
be neglected.
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FAQ
Prestress elastic deformation losses includes elastic shortening losses, which are caused
by subsequent loadings (self weight, live loads, creep, shrinkage, etc.) after the
prestressing force is applied.
which
underwent
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FAQ
Once that is done, perform the analysis and the results for summation of outputs as well
as current stage output could be checked as shown below
From Main Menu select Results > Deformations >
Derformed Shape
Such comparison is made for CS1 ( Construction Stage 1)
and CS2 for a box girder bridge.
The displacements of
1
CS 1 Final Displacement of node 1
(-2.06) mm
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2
1
1
CS 2 Current Stage Displacement of node 1
(+1.06) mm
Since the node 2 is activated only in CS2, it has no initial displacement, and hence a kink
appears as shown in the image above.
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FAQ
Analysis
For unbonded tendons : The duct area is deducted from the concrete gross area
reducing the section property.
For bonded tendons : The pre-stressing steel property is converted into an equivalent
concrete property as per the modular ratio and added with the concrete cross-section
property as shown below.
-
Initial Location of CG
Shifted Location of
CG
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Dynamic Analysis
Produce Analysis
Eigenvalue
Results
Analysis
The
classical
nominal
curvature method is used for the calculation
of curvature (1/r) using design strain, for
calculating
secondary
moments
theoretically considering the design yield
strain and factoring it by load correction
factors. The additional moment obtained in
Midas are directly based on the actual
deflected shape of the member due to the applied loading. Thus comparing classical
method results calculated using actual stresses will yield results comparable with P-
analysis results.
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FAQ
same as master node because the rotation of master node will affect
the translational displacements of slave node.
Rigid Body Connection constrains the relative movements of the maste
r node and slave nodes as if they are interconnected by a three dimensional rigid body. In
this case, relative nodal displacements are kept constant, and the geometric relationships
for the displacements are expressed by the following equations:
UXs = UXm + RYm Z - RZm Y
UYs = UYm + RZm X - RXm Z
UZs = UZm + RXm Y - RYm X
RXs = RXm
RYs = RYm
RZs = RZm
where, X = Xm - Xs, Y = Ym - Ys, Z = Zm - Zs
The subscripts, m and s, in the above equations represent a master node and slave node
s respectively. UX, UY and UZ are displacements in the Global Coordinate System (GCS)
X, Y and Z directions respectively, and RX, RY and RZ are rotations about the GCS X, Y
and Z-axes respectively. Xm, Ym and Zm represent the coordinates of the master node, a
nd Xs, Ys and Zs represent the coordinates of a slave node. This feature may be applied t
o certain members whose stiffnesses are substantially larger than the remaining structura
l members such that their deformations can be ignored. It can be also used in the case of
a stiffened plate to interconnect its plate and stiffener.
Sample calculation of displacements of a slave node calculated from the displacements of
master node for a sample load is given below:
Node
Master
Slave
DX (mm)
-1.3725
X1
DY (mm)
-0.02404
Y1
DZ (mm)
-1.4286
Z1
Y (mm)
Z (mm)
-210
550
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FAQ
Truss Element
Kcomb =
where,
1+
2 2
123
12 3
2 3
E : modulus of elasticity
A : cross-sectional area
L : length
w : weight per unit length
T : tension force
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FAQ
1. Structure Type
In Structure type option, X-Z Plane or Y-Z Plane or X-Y plane option is selected and loads
are applied in the third plane. For example X-Y plane is selected and loads are applied
along Z plane then all the nodes will be experiencing reactions in Z direction as the structure
is restrained in Z direction. So for a multi dimensional load application 3-D Structure type
must be selected.
From Main Menu select Structure > Structure Type
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1
2
5
6
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FAQ
at
supports
for
track
vehicle
position
particular
node,
Invoke
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FAQ
moments for each element. However, at times it becomes necessary to investigate the
vehicle position causing the worst bending moment.
Depending
upon
assignment,
the
Beam
Line
Lane
or
Forces/Moments
Surface
or
Lane
Plate
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re-analysis. The converted static load could be verified in the tree menu.
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FAQ
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20 m
The equation to calculate maximum deflection of simply supported beam with UDL is :
dmax =
Also the maximum deflection is inversely proportional to Elastic Modulus of concrete. Hence,
later the age of loading, greater is the Elastic Modulus, and, lesser the deflection.
Now say, this beam has 2 construction stages of 3 days and 1000 days. So, defining the
static Dead Load case under the type Construction Stage Load (CS) and activating it when
age of concrete is 3 days, Elastic Modulus of concrete at 3 days (E3) would be considered
for deflection calculation. However, checking the same in Post CS, Elastic Modulus
corresponding to the age, at the end of 2nd stage, i.e., 1003 is considered.
To
eliminate
issues,
such
it
is
recommended,
the
under
construction stage be
defined
as
Construction
Type
Stage
The result of Loads under type Construction Stage Load (CS) could only be viewed in Post
CS on creating load combinations (even for single load case). The result however includes
time dependent effects, which is otherwise omitted for Static Load Cases (except Prestress).
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FAQ
Stress points could be generated at any position for the sections of types DB, PSC / PSC
Value, Tapered Section, Composite Section, General and Composite General Section. In
case of Composite Section, Stress Points can be defined only for Part2.
The results for these additional stress points could be checked using the beam detail
analysis option., which could be exported to excel. The option can be accessed from path
Results Beam Element Beam Detail Analysis
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FAQ
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in
Round curve
Prestress calculation:
Internally midas Civil, divides the elements with
Element
Node
Internal Tendon
Profile
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effects
of
time
shrinkage,
etc.
could
controlled.
be
The
implications of common
options
are
explained
consider
either
creep,
or
shrinkage or both
user
defined
coefficients
for
apply
compressive
strength
Elastic shortening when manually calculated is usually based on constant initial force.
Where in with the software, elastic shortening could be calculated with the force variation as
well, which might vary the software results as compared to manual calculations.
6. Sequence of pre-stressing considered:
The age of concrete during when the tendons are pre-stressed, the sequence of prestressing etc. should be carefully assigned in the construction stage. For example, stressing
4 cables at the same instance yields different result as compared to stressing of each cable
with a small time gap.
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To pre-stress the tendons in sequence, Additional steps are to be defined in the Compose
Construction Stage dialogue box. The tendons can be stressed or the load group for each
tendon could be activates at these defined additional step time duration.
1
As highlighted in the image above, under step ( 1 ) define the additional steps for time
duration when a particular tendon would be stressed. Under step ( 2 ), the tendons pre-
stress load group is to be activated at the specified time step under the Load tab. Doing
so would yield different result as compared to having all
the 5 tendons stressed at the same instance.
7. Pre-stressing force applied at one end or both
ends:
the
software
results
and
manual
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FAQ
shown below.
1
3
Select the
relevant stage
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FAQ
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FAQ
Generally, the scaled up deformation makes it easier to verify or check for any abnormality
in the structure behaviour on applying load. If however one is interested in
real
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FAQ
Capacity
Design Force/ Moment
As depicted in the image above, the required components and options can be chosen to
view the desired results. This is a very quick way of verifying if the section is over safe or
failing at certain locations.
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FAQ
2
Load Case Name
3
Select
Maximum of 3 Load-cases can
relevant
cases
CS
load
4
Maximum of 15 Load-cases can
be selected under one
Load
Case head.
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FAQ
2
1
If one wants to extract results for construction stages other than last construction
stage, then post-construction mode should be changed to that particular construction
stage and then goto Results Results Tables Beam Force
2
3
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location
for beam
results
load cases
stage/Step
Construction Stage-wise results are obtained for all selected load cases as shown below.
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