Software Verification

PROGRAM NAME:
REVISION NO.:

SAP2000
2

EXAMPLE 5-012
SOLID PLATE ON ELASTIC FOUNDATION
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
In this example, an isolated 50-kip point load is acting on a one-inch-thick
infinitely large plate that is supported on an elastic foundation. For this example
the infinitely large plate is modeled as 300 inches long by 300 inches wide and
meshed 50x50x1. The point load is applied at the center of the plate. The plate
deflection at the point load location is compared with independent handcalculated results that are computed using theory presented in Timoshenko and
Woinowsky-Krieger 1959.
Two different subgrade moduli and two different mesh refinements are
presented, making a total of four separate models. Models A and B use a
subgrade modulus of 30 k/ft3 while Models C and D use a subgrade modulus of
800 k/ft3.
The plate is modeled using four solid objects. In Models A and C, each solid
object is submeshed 25x25x1, making a 50x50x1 mesh for the total model. In
Models B and D, each solid object is submeshed 50x50x1, making a 100x100x1
mesh for the total model.
GEOMETRY, PROPERTIES AND LOADING
300"

Soil Subgrade Modulus

Models A and B: 30 k/ft3
Models C and D: 800 k/ft3

300"

Z
X

Active DOFs
Ux, Uy and Uz
1 thick plate on an
elastic foundation (soil)
Plate is made up of four solid
objects. Each of the four solid
objects is meshed 25x25x1 in
models A and C and 50x50x1 in
models B and D.

Geometric Properties
Length = 300 in
Width = 300 in
Thickness = 1 in
Material Properties
E = 29,000 k/in2
= 0.3
Point Load at Plate Center
P = 50 kips

EXAMPLE 5-012 - 1

Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME:
REVISION NO.:

SAP2000
2

TECHNICAL FEATURES OF SAP2000 TESTED

Plate bending analysis using solid elements
Solid object surface spring assignment
Solid object automatic mesh
Joint force loads
RESULTS COMPARISON
The independent results are calculated using Equation 185 on page 275 of
Timoshenko and Woinowsky-Krieger 1959.
With Incompatible Bending Modes
Model,
Mesh* and
Modulus

Output
Parameter

A
50x50x1
(k = 30 k/ft3)
B
100x100x1
(k = 30 k/ft3)
C
50x50x1
(k = 800 k/ft3)
D
100x100x1
(k = 800 k/ft3)

SAP2000

Independent

-0.8881

Percent
Difference
-3.5%

-0.9205
Uz at
center of plate
in

-0.9177

-0.3%

-0.1576

-11.6%
-0.1782

-0.1759

-1.3%

* Mesh reported is mesh of entire plate, not the submesh of a single solid object.

COMPUTER FILES: Example 5-012a, Example 5-012b,

Example 5-012c, Example 5-012d
CONCLUSIONS
The SAP2000 results show an acceptable comparison with the independent
results as long as an adequate mesh refinement is used.

EXAMPLE 5-012 - 2

Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME:
REVISION NO.:

SAP2000
2

HAND CALCULATION

EXAMPLE 5-012 - 3

Software Verification
PROGRAM NAME:
REVISION NO.:

SAP2000
2

EXAMPLE 5-012 - 4