STRAP (STRuctural
Analysis Programs) is a Windows XP/2000/NT/98 based suite
of finite element static and dynamic analysis programs for buildings,
bridges and other structures. It also includes programs for the design
of rolled and light-gauge steel and concrete in accordance with U.S.,
Canadian and other international codes. Current Version 11.0 is our
8th release for the Windows platform.
STRAP is one of the most
comprehensive and versatile structural analysis and design software
systems available on the market today. It's also the easiest to use,
due to its superb graphic user interface (GUI) and advanced context-sensitive
help system. It offers the engineer a powerful but affordable tool
for analysis and design of a wide range of skeletal and continuum
structures such as buildings, bridges, shells, towers and more.
STRAP uses graphical CAD-like input in the generation of models and
loads. Every drawing on the screen can be printed, imported into other
documents, or (through DXF) into drawings. Complete analysis and design
can be performed for any structure without ever referring to joint
or beam numbers. Load combinations can be created after analysis is
performed. Results of the load combinations can be reviewed instantaneously
without rerunning the model.
For the engineer interested in dynamic effects, STRAP also includes
modules for modal analysis, seismic response spectra calculations
to the UBC and California codes and time history response calculations.
The learning curve to start using STRAP is practically non-existent.
The program's flow is similar to the analysis and design process performed
by hand. During the execution of every action the prompt line at the
bottom of the screen guides you through. Combine this with the unique
built-in, context-sensitive Help and you can understand why many of
our users don't even know where their STRAP manual is.
Hardware requirements to run STRAP are minimal: a PC running Windows
XP,2000,9 or NT and 35 MB of free hard drive space.
General Features :
File
menu (initial screen) :
the last five disk
directories selected by the user are displayed at the end of
the menu and may be chosen
Copy a model to another
directory :the last ten disk directories selected by the
user are displayed and may be chosen
Recover
model geometry : a new utility that creates a new GEOMnnn.DAT
file from the GEOINnnn.DAT file.
Node selection
:a new option to select nodes at specified "levels" has been
added to the standard node selection dialog box. The user selects
an axis and the program displays a list of all coordinates with
nodes, any of which may be selected. A series of equally spaced
levels may also be selected.
Beam/element selection according
to property : "Dummy elements" has been added to the property
list
Display :
Remove : "Levels"
may now be removed from the display; refer to 'General-Node
selection' above.
Rotate : The rotation
"step" may now be specified in the dialog box.
Dimension
lines & Grid lines : the options from the "General Arrangement
Drawing" have now been added to the Geometry and Load modules
:
arrows may be added to dimension lines, the accuracy level
and units may be specified.
grid lines marked with letters or numbers may be added
to the drawing
elevation marks may be added
all these items may be saved with a View
Column shape : the section
shape of beams perpendicular to the plane may be added to the
display.
Geometry :
Wall element : This element
enables the quick definition of a core/shear wall that extends
the height of the building:
the user defines the cross-section shape (connected component
walls), component wall thickness, tie beams above openings
and a reference corner.
the location of the reference corner and the coordinates
of the stories are then specified.
the program creates nodes at each level at the ends of
each component wall and defines the wall elements between
the stories.
rigid links that connect the nodes in the floor
slab at a level and the new nodes defining the wall at that
level may be automatically added
the results are displayed in the form of 'beam' results
moments and shears
for each component at each level.
Element
surfaces :
A new option to generate
surfaces of elements by copying one line along another:
the user defines a 'base' line consisting of a chain of
nodes and a 'height' line, also a chain of nodes, that starts
at one of the end nodes of the base line
the program copies the base line to every level on the
height line,.generating nodes and connecting them with elements.
For example, if the base line is a semi-circle and the height
line is a straight perpendicular line, the program will
generate one-half of a cylinder
a second base line, with a different contour, may also
be defined at the other end of the height line. For example,
if the second base line in the previous example is a semi-circle
with a smaller radius, the generated surface will be conical
Surfaces may also be generated by defining the 4 lines that
bound it.
Renumber nodes/beams/elements:
load commands are automatically updated according to new numbering
The
flange location for non-symmetric sections (L, T, [, etc)
can now be specified in geometry so that the rendered drawing
is displayed accurately. The program will use the orientations
as the default in the steel postprocessor.
Semi-rigid
connections: partial releases may now be defined at beam
ends by defining a rotational spring constant value.
Node
definition: a DXF file may now be displayed in the background
and the end points of lines may be selected as node locations.
DXF layers may be added/removed and the scale may be changed
at any time.
Move
nodes: individual nodes may now be moved relative to a cylindrical
coordinate system (revise radius and angle)
Copy
- 'connect with beams': an option to select the property
group of the connecting beams has been added.
Copy
and rotate: two new options have been added in addition
to the current method of 3 references nodes:
2 reference nodes and a global rotation axis
4 reference nodes; the fourth node allows the copy to
be 'stretched' in the direction perpendicular to the plane
of rotation
Loads:
"Lack-of-fit" beam
load: this new load type enables the user to model beams
with initial tension or compression forces by defining the "lack-of-fit"
in length units. The program applies the necessary axial force
to stretch or squeeze the beam to the length between end nodes.
Linear
and prestress beam loads may now be defined on any chain
of beams, even if the chain is not a straight line
Element
loads: a bi-linear distribution of load over an area can
now be defined. For example, a retaining wall where the height
varies linearly along the wall
Beam
loads may now be applied to the model as joint loads at
the beam supports. This allows the user to define a linear load
without inducing bending in the beams.
Wind
loads: China and Taiwan codes have been added
Results :
Concrete slab punching:
the program identifies the elements in a plane that surround
a support or perpendicular column
the user can define/revise the dimensions of the column
the program automatically defines each column as 'middle',
'edge' or 'corner', but the user may revise the default
the user may define drop panels or reduce the perimeter
to account for openings
the program will display the punching stress and the allowable
stress for each load combination and the maximum stress
Hidden
lines: an option has been added to suppress the display
of background elements and their results
Results
across a strip of elements: The user defines a section line
in a slab and the width of an associated strip. the program
displays the sum of the results across this strip. For example,
when designing concrete slabs the user can define the 'column'
and 'middle' strips required by the code procedures.
Average
moment in elements: The user defines a square area surrounding
a support in a slab model. The program calculates the average
result over the square and displays it in all result types.
Reinforcement may be calculated using averaged moment results.
Reactions
at supports defined according to a local support coordinate
system may now be displayed relative to the local system instead
of the global system.
Element
principal stress contour map: a new option to draw an arrow
in the direction of the principal stress at the centre of each
element. The length of the arrow is proportional to the value
of the stress.
