Ahsan Sattar, PhD

Senior Engineer, NESPAK

ahsansattar@hotmail.com

Section cut in SAP2000
How is the plane of the section cut defined when drawn in a 3D
view?
Expanded Question: When a section cut is drawn in a 3D view, only the X and Y coordinates
are provided. How is the section-cut plane defined?
Answer: When using the Draw > Draw Section Cut command, forces are reported in
the section-cut coordinate system which is defined by three axes (1,2,Z) as follows:
Section-cut 1 axis is located within the plane parallel to the global X-Y plane, and rotates
counterclockwise from the global X axis according to the user-defined parameter Angle (X to 1).
Section-cut 2 axis is also located within the plane parallel to the global X-Y plane, though it is
oriented 90 counterclockwise from the section-cut 1 axis.
Section-cut Z axis is parallel to the global Z axis.
Integrated forces are reported either on the left or right side of the section cut, according to the
right-hand rule. Take, for example, a section cut drawn from left to right along the horizontal
plane within a X-Z view. Integrated forces on the left side represent behavior above the section
cut, while those on the right side, below. Using the right-hand rule, these forces are expressed
in the section-cut coordinate system (1,2,Z).
Why are section-cut integrated forces shown in 1,2,Z and not 1,2,3
directions?
Answer: For section cuts drawn within the graphical user interface, the section-cut 3 axis is
always parallel to the global Z axis, therefore integrated forces are shown in 1,2,Z directions
since this notation is more precise.

Why is the magnitude of integrated forces different for the left and
right sides?
Expanded Question: According to equilibrium, should not the magnitude of integrated forces
be equivalent for both left and right sides?
Ahsan Sattar, PhD
Senior Engineer, NESPAK
ahsansattar@hotmail.com

Answer: Section-cut forces may be different on either side of a section cut because they are
based on joint forces which occur in the global system. Globally, these forces are in equilibrium,
but their relation to a section cut is arbitrary and does not necessarily serve the function and
conditions of a free-body diagram. As an example, consider a section cut located in the middle
of a cantilever beam modeled by a single frame element and loaded by its self-weight only. The
results on the side of the section cut that includes the fixed end will represent the beam
reactions, while the results on the side of the section cut that includes the free joint will be zero.

Example of Section cut

Expanded Question: Consider a cantilever beam made of solid elements. Figure below shows
the beam with the unit (1lb) load at the end of the beam. The global axes are also displayed for
reference. (Note :- Example 5-002 of the verification manual of SAP2000 v 14.1.0 is used here)
Hand calculations shows
Max. shear force = 1lb
Max. Bending moment at support = 1 x 6 = 6 lb-in
Stress = 6 x 0.1 / (0.1 x 0.2
3
/12) = 9000 psi

Figure 1:- FEM model of cantilever beam with unit load at the tip.
Ahsan Sattar, PhD
Senior Engineer, NESPAK
ahsansattar@hotmail.com

Figure 2 shows the longitudinal stresses in the beam. The maximum stress of 9000psi is shown near the
support.


Figure 2:- Longitudinal stresses in the beam subjected to unit load in z-direction at its tip.
Draw a section cut near the support to determine the bending moment keeping in mind the orientation
of axes of section cut as explained above.
Display the beam in xz-plan to view draw the section cut conveniently. Zoom near the support as the
forces are desired near the support.
Draw a section cut line near the support. Now adjust the coordinates of the start and end of the line to
adjust the line at 0.05 from the support and is parallel to the z-axis.
The location of the resultant is to be adjusted to the desired location. We need to output forces at mid
height of the section so that bending moment is integrated about the mid of the section. Adjust the X
of resultant to desired location. For this beam the width is 0.1, so put 0.05 to be at mid of the width.
Adjust Z to mid height of section (Although in this example it will not affect the results). The most
Ahsan Sattar, PhD
Senior Engineer, NESPAK
ahsansattar@hotmail.com

important here is to adjust the angle. The Angle (X to 1) is the angle by which the 1-axis of the section
cut is to be rotated counterclockwise from the global x-axis. The 1-axis of section cut is always in the
global xy-plane. The 2-axis of the section cut is 90 CCW from the 1-axis.
For this example, if angle for resultant is put as zero, the 1 axis will be in the direction of global x-axis.
The 2 axis will be into the paper. Hence the major bending moment will be about the 2 axis. The
major shear force will be in the Z direction.
The results are displayed in figure 3.


Figure 3: Section cut output and explanation
Coordinates of Start and End point of the line. Input the coordinates such that
the section line is in xz-plane 0.05 away fromthe support
1
Z
Axis 2 is into the paper
Section cut line
M2
Input the angle by which
the 1 axis of the section
cut is to be rotated counter
-clockwise from x-axis. 1-
axis is always in global xy-
plane. 2-axis is always 90
degree CCW to 1-axis and
always lie in global x-y
plane. Z-axis of section cut
is always in global z
direction.
The major bending moment will be about the 2-axis which is into the paper.
Right handrule applies. Major shear force will be inz-directionfor this case.
X
Z