LARSA 4D User’s Manual A manual for LARSA 4D Finite Element Analysis and Design Software Last Revised May 7, 2021 Copyright (C) 2001-2021 LARSA, Inc. All rights reserved. Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of LARSA, Inc. The software described in this document is furnished under a license or nondisclosure agreement. No part of the documentation may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or information storage or retrieval systems, for any purpose without the express written permission of LARSA, Inc. LARSA 4D User’s Manual Table of Contents Using LARSA 4D 9 Overview 15 About LARSA 4D 17 Overview of Using LARSA 4D 19 The LARSA 4D Look and Feel 19 Defining Properties 20 Creating Geometry 22 Applying Loads 23 Analyzing the Model 24 Viewing the Results 25 About the Manual 15 Graphics & Selection 27 An Overview of Graphics & Selection 29 Selection 29 The Graphics Tools 29 Keyboard Commands 34 Select Special 35 Select by Plane 37 Select by Polygon 39 Graphics Display Options 41 Show 41 Shrink 44 Orthographic/Perspective Projection 44 Rendering 45 Graphics Window Grid 47 Hide Unselected 49 Using the Model Spreadsheets 51 Using the Spreadsheet 52 Editing Multiple Cells at Once 52 Adding Rows 52 Inserting Rows 53 Deleting Rows 54 Cut and Copy 54 Paste 55 Apply Formulas 56 Graphing Data 56 Files & Reports 57 Project Properties 59 Import Project (Merge) 63 Import DXF (AutoCAD) File 65 3 LARSA 4D User’s Manual How the Import is Performed 65 Import Options 65 Export Zip Package 67 Export DXF (AutoCAD) File 69 Export BMP/AVI (Images and Animations) 71 Print a Report 73 Report Options 73 Model Data 74 Analysis Results 75 Graphics Views 75 Generate Report 76 File Types 77 Project Files (*.lar) 77 Database Files (*.drs,*.dth, *.dml, *.lpsx) 77 Analysis Results Files 77 Explorers 79 Model Data Explorer 81 Load Cases Explorer 83 Using the Load Cases Explorer 83 Load Case Properties 84 Structure Groups Explorer 85 Construction Stages Explorer 89 Analysis Results Explorer 91 Using the Analysis Results Explorer 92 Use with Special Result Cases 92 Modeling Tools 93 Drawing Geometry and Loads 95 Drawing Joints 96 Drawing Members 97 Drawing Plates 98 Drawing Springs 98 Drawing Loads 99 Drawing DOF Constraints 100 Drawing Lanes and Tendons 101 Drawing Mesh 101 Undo/Redo 103 Erase and Delete Loads 105 Erase 105 Delete Loads 105 Break, Merge, and Join 107 Break Members, Break Plates 107 Merge Joints 108 Join Members 108 4 LARSA 4D User’s Manual Transformations 111 Generation Tools 115 Project Options 123 Model Units 125 Universal Restraints 127 Connecting Databases 129 Special Data Tools 131 User Coordinate Systems 133 Defining UCSs 136 Integrity Check 139 Integrity Tests 140 Loading Standard Materials 143 Loading Standard Sections 145 Creating Custom Sections 147 Construction Stage Editor 149 The Database Editor 151 Creating a Database 151 Adding/Removing Records 151 Adding/Editing/Removing Data 152 Other Data Views 152 Additional Options 152 Spreadsheet Formulas 153 Templates 155 Running an Analysis 159 Selecting an Analysis 159 Choosing Analysis Options 160 Running the Analysis 161 Getting Results 163 Viewing Results Graphically 165 Types of Graphical Results 166 Results Spreadsheets 171 Selecting Result Cases 171 Sorting 171 Enveloping 172 Finding Minimums and Maximums 172 Incremental and Class-Based Partial Cumulative Results 173 Other Options 173 Linear Result Combinations 175 How They Work 175 Staged Construction Extraction Method (Incremental Results and 176 Load Class Extraction) Combine for Extreme Effects 176 5 LARSA 4D User’s Manual Using Linear Result Combinations 176 Using the Loading Matrix 177 Extreme Effect Groups 179 How They Work 179 Extreme Effect Group Options 180 Using Extreme Effect Groups 180 Graphing Results 181 Overview 182 X-Axis 182 Y-Axis 183 Custom Graphs 185 Results Units 187 Graphical Results Options 189 Deformed Model and Mode Shapes 189 Scaling Factor 190 Animations 190 Member Force/Moment Diagrams 191 Plate Force/Stress Diagrams 191 Capture Deformed Structure 193 Automatic Code-Based Load Combinations 195 Example Use 195 Simple Combinations versus Permutations 196 Using Auto Load Combinations 197 Creating New Codes 198 Tendon Results Tools 199 Tendons at Cross-Section 199 Tendon Forces 200 Primary Moments 200 Secondary Moments 200 Incremental and Cumulative Results 201 Incremental Results 201 Cumulative Results with Load Class Extraction 201 Using Incremental and Cumulative Results 202 Influence Coefficients Graphical View 203 Installing Plugins 205 Installing Plugins 205 Uninstalling Plugins 205 Code Check and Design Tools 207 Ultimate Strength Check 209 Preparing the Model 209 Ultimate Strength Computation 209 Using the tool 210 6 LARSA 4D User’s Manual Moment Curvature Analysis 213 Introduction 215 Application Overview 216 Concrete Material Models 219 Steel Material Models 225 Moment-Curvature Analysis Options 229 Example: Reinforced Concrete Section Pushover Analysis 231 Use Section Composer to Create the Section 231 Create the Structural Model using LARSA 4D 234 Moment-Curvature Analysis 235 Pushover Analysis 239 Example: Prestressed Concrete Section Pushover Analysis 243 Use Section Composer to Create the Section 243 Create the Structural Model using LARSA 4D 247 Moment-Curvature Analysis 248 Pushover Analysis 254 Example: Pushover Analysis with Tendons Assigned to 259 Members Use Section Composer to Create the Section 259 Create the Structural Model using LARSA 4D 263 Redefine Bottom Elements 269 Moment-Curvature Analysis 269 Pushover Analysis 274 Pushover Validation with Analytical Hinge 277 Hand Calculation 278 Comparison 282 Moment Curvature Analysis (Legacy Tool) 285 Preparing the Model 285 How Results Are Used 285 Computation 286 Using the Tool 286 Guide to AASHTO LRFD Section 3.6: Live Loads 289 3.6.1 Gravity Loads: LL and PL - Overview 289 3.6.1.3 Application of Design Vehicular Live Load 293 3.6.1.3.2 Loading for Optional Live Load Deflection Evaluation 296 Articles 3.6.1.3.3-3.6.1.7 296 3.6.2 Dynamic Load Allowance 297 3.6.3 Centrifugal Forces: CE 297 3.6.4 Braking Force: BR 298 3.6.5 Vehicle Collision Force: CT 300 General Model Optimization - Automated Iterative Shape 301 Finding Overview of Using General Model Optimization 302 Types of Optimization Problems 302 7 LARSA 4D User’s Manual The Model Parameter to Optimize 303 The Model Target 304 Example 1 305 Example 2 307 Steel Design 309 Preparing Input 309 Options 310 Using Structure Groups and Spans 311 Code Check 311 Design 312 Graphics 313 AISC-LRFD2000 Design/Code Check 313 AISC-LRFD2000 Design/Code Check Units 314 Limiting Slenderness Ratios 314 Classification of Sections 314 Tension Capacity 314 Compression Capacity 315 Calculation of Nominal Strengths 315 AISC-LRFD Steel Design Code 317 AISC-LRFD2000 Design/Code Check 317 AISC-LRFD2000 Design/Code Check Units 317 Limiting Slenderness Ratios 317 Classification of Sections 317 Tension Capacity 318 Compression Capacity 318 Design for Flexure 322 8 LARSA 4D User’s Manual Using LARSA 4D This section is a comprehensive guide for all features in the LARSA 4D program. Overview 15 About LARSA 4D 17 Overview of Using LARSA 4D 19 The LARSA 4D Look and Feel 19 Defining Properties 20 Creating Geometry 22 Applying Loads 23 Analyzing the Model 24 Viewing the Results 25 About the Manual 15 Graphics & Selection 27 An Overview of Graphics & Selection 29 Selection 29 The Graphics Tools 29 Keyboard Commands 34 Select Special 35 Select by Plane 37 Select by Polygon 39 Graphics Display Options 41 Show 41 Shrink 44 Orthographic/Perspective Projection 44 Rendering 45 Graphics Window Grid 47 Hide Unselected 49 Using the Model Spreadsheets 51 Using the Spreadsheet 52 Editing Multiple Cells at Once 52 Adding Rows 52 Inserting Rows 53 Deleting Rows 54 Cut and Copy 54 Paste 55 Apply Formulas 56 9 LARSA 4D User’s Manual Graphing Data 56 Files & Reports 57 Project Properties 59 Import Project (Merge) 63 Import DXF (AutoCAD) File 65 How the Import is Performed 65 Import Options 65 Export Zip Package 67 Export DXF (AutoCAD) File 69 Export BMP/AVI (Images and Animations) 71 Print a Report 73 Report Options 73 Model Data 74 Analysis Results 75 Graphics Views 75 Generate Report 76 File Types 77 Project Files (*.lar) 77 Database Files (*.drs,*.dth, *.dml, *.lpsx) 77 Analysis Results Files 77 Explorers 79 Model Data Explorer 81 Load Cases Explorer 83 Using the Load Cases Explorer 83 Load Case Properties 84 Structure Groups Explorer 85 Construction Stages Explorer 89 Analysis Results Explorer 91 Using the Analysis Results Explorer 92 Use with Special Result Cases 92 Modeling Tools 93 Drawing Geometry and Loads 95 Drawing Joints 96 Drawing Members 97 Drawing Plates 98 Drawing Springs 98 Drawing Loads 99 Drawing DOF Constraints 100 Drawing Lanes and Tendons 101 Drawing Mesh 101 10 LARSA 4D User’s Manual Undo/Redo 103 Erase and Delete Loads 105 Erase 105 Delete Loads 105 Break, Merge, and Join 107 Break Members, Break Plates 107 Merge Joints 108 Join Members 108 Transformations 111 Generation Tools 115 Project Options 123 Model Units 125 Universal Restraints 127 Connecting Databases 129 Special Data Tools 131 User Coordinate Systems 133 Defining UCSs 136 Integrity Check 139 Integrity Tests 140 Loading Standard Materials 143 Loading Standard Sections 145 Creating Custom Sections 147 Construction Stage Editor 149 The Database Editor 151 Creating a Database 151 Adding/Removing