STRUCTURAL MODELING & LOADING GENERATION

AMECO-17 generates most of its data for modeling purposes. For instance, AMECO-17 generates joint numbers and member connectivities; computes joint co-ordinates and areas of roofs, floors and walls; generates Pratt, Warren and Vierendeel truss geometry; determines initial member sizes; computes member section properties and member stiffnesses; models finite joints, slabs, shear walls and elastic soil. During the analysis/design process, this data is continuously updated to reflect the changes in member sizes.

Practically all operations associated with loading are performed by AMECO-17. The engineer only needs to specify loading parameters such as:

• Floor/roof loads per unit area (psf, kPa)
• Vehicle mnemonic for standard trucks & locomotives
• Overhead crane wheel loads & spacing
• Wind speed or pressure and exposure category
• Earthquake zone for static seismic forces
• Response spectra for dynamic seismic analysis

To simulate the construction, AMECO-17 erects the structure level by level, applies as many gravity dead load cases as there are levels in the structure, then generates as many live load cases as there are beams and slabs in the structure. Fom these forms pattern loadings in 3D. In dynamic seismic analysis, AMECO-17 generates another 50 modal force cases.

The critical loading combinations for static gravity and lateral loads, dynamic seismic forces, settlements and out-of plumb effects, are generated by AMECO-17 in accordance with the applicable building code or design standard. This includes computation of live load reduction, second order effects, impact for vehicle loads and modal superposition by CQC, ASRSS or RSS.