SJ MEPLA User’s manual Version 3.5 April 2012
SJ Software GmbH Aachen Dr.-Ing. Dirk Bohmann
SJ MEPLA User’s Manual, Version 3.5
1 Introduction 1.1 Versions for installation 1.2 License regulation 1.3 License file 1.4 Information about the various program packages 1.4.1 Program package 3 1.4.2 Program package 2 1.4.3 Program package 1 1.5 Brief description 2 Program structure 2.1 Introduction 2.2 The Program Window 2.3 Menu bar 2.3.1 Program 2.3.1.1 Settings 2.3.1.2 Quit 2.3.2 Edit 2.3.3 View 2.3.4 Specials 2.3.5 Language 2.3.6 Help 2.4 Icon bar 3 Workspaces 3.1 Project information 3.2 Geometry 3.3 Layers 3.3.1 Structure of layers 3.3.2 Structure of packages 3.3.3 Intermediate Space, Gap 3.4 Supports 3.4.1 Spring support 3.4.2 Edge supports 3.4.3 Glass fixing 3.4.4 Spacer 3.4.5 Elastic edge beam 3.4.6 Elastic edge supports 3.4.7 Elastic base 3.4.8 Elastic line supports 3.4.9 Bonded edges 3.5 Loads 3.5.1 Face load 3.5.1.1 Pressure loads 3.5.1.2 Dead weight 3.5.2 Concentrated loads 3.5.3 Pendulum impact 3.5.4 Temperature differences 3.5.5 Climate loads 3.5.6 Pressure hit 3.5.7 Line loads 3.5.8 Load cases 3.5.9 Safety (removed in version 3.5.6) 3.5.10 Border Loads 3.6 Options 3.5.1 Calculation options 3.6.1.1 Linearisation 3.6.1.2 Tolerance SJ Software GmbH, Aachen
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SJ MEPLA User’s Manual, Version 3.5 3.6.1.3 Automatic 3.6.1.4 Steps 3.5.2 Local stress outputs 3.5.2 Stress results 3.6.2 Reaction Forces 3.5.2 Formed Volume 3.6.3 Protocol and Messages 3.6.4 Solver 3.7 Results 3.7.1 Before calculation 3.7.2 Calculation 3.7.3 Calculation results 4 Error messages 5 General conditions of sale and delivery
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1 Introduction 1.1
Versions for installation
There two different versions for installation: 1.
Test-version WITHOUT printed calculations results
You can download this test-version directly from our internet homepage. You can try all dialogs and input possibilities. As well calculations can be done, but their result won’t be shown in the protocol. To verify stresses and deflections and so on you can use the graphics surface, where most results can be seen. 2.
Full-version
A full version is obtained after your order. This can (depending on your order) be limited or unlimited in time. Shipping is done via CD, E-Mail or download link. 1.2
License regulation
There are two different license regulations possible: 1.
A local license
With a local license you can install and used the program locally on one computer. Generated data can be saved of course on a server. 2.
A server license
Using a server license the program can be installed on a server and locally used on several computers. The simultaneous use is controlled by a floating-license-system and depends on the number of bought licenses. In both cases you get a license file, which regulates the complete licensing. 1.3
License file
The predefined path for the license file is: C:\Programme\SJ_Software\Mepla (if you haven’t changed it during installation). This is the same directory, where all program files are installed too. The license file is named “sj_mepla.lic”. 1.4
Information about the various program packages
The program SJ MEPLA is offered in 3 different program packages. These packages are designed for different requirements. 1.4.1 Program package 3 Package 3 is the complete version containing all program functions.
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1.4.2 Program package 2 In package 2 all dynamic calculation are disabled. All dynamic calculations including the ones offered in future are switched off in this package -
The tab sheet
in the workspace can’t be selected. The tab sheet in the workspace can‘t be selected.
1.4.3 Program package 1 In addition to the dynamic calculations also the application of point fixings are switched off. 1.5
The tab sheet in the workspace can’t be selected. The tab sheet in the workspace can’t be selected. The tab sheet in the workspace can’t be selected. Brief description
The dimensioning and the stress calculation of plate structures under various loads is a standard task of the daily engineering practice. Panes varying from a rectangular form can no more be calculated by table works or manual formula but have to be evaluated by the method of the finite elements. In the glass building sector all of the systems to be examined are very similar, so that the mesh generation is almost always limited to standard geometry, for which always new meshes have to be created. For the calculation of laminated safety glass panes generally there was need to work with volume elements. The bearing conditions are in most cases reduced to few variants (elastic spring-supports, glass point fixings, edge supports). Also the evaluation of the calculation results follows the same method (deformations, stresses, proof) and so far always explicitly has to be read out of the finite element data. There is hardly a possibility to calculate insulating glass units (from 2, 3 or 4 laminated glass panes) if any pane forms shall be examined or geometrically non-linear approaches shall be used. Here the program SJ MEPLA applies: All inputs, like the geometry, the bearing conditions, the kind of loads, the calculation approach or the requested output, are guided and displayed by input masks. The control and output of the results occurs visually on a graphics surface and a calculation protocol, which can be added to the static assessment. Special new finite element methods allow the simple input and quick calculation of sandwich structures (laminated safety glass), so that the entire problem can be solved at shortest time (within a few minutes). Thus the program is suited for dimensioning as well as also for static calculations, during which it offers a variety of calculation possibilities: -
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automated mesh generation for straight or curved borders by the input of corner points. The element size is preset, but may also be changed manually to increase the accuracy of the calculation. (The user, however, is not aware of the fact that he is working with a Finite Element Program). With this, any system shape including cut-offs or holes are possible
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all subsequent calculations can be made linear or geometrically non-linear (large deformations). any pane structure (e. g. of laminated safety glass) considering the stiffness of the compound material by input of the layer order consideration of pre-defined bearing designs for the plate edges as well as for any point bearing with the corresponding spring rigidities fully automated installation of point fixings several fixing types (own elements) within the pane area clamp fixings with circular or angular shape (usable as glass shoes)
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downholders with circular or angular shape bonded fixing without generation of holes specification of the bearing stiffness (sub-construction or type of the point fixings) optional use of springs or jointed bars at the point fixing
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applying loads directly at the fittings the properties of the point fixings can be stored in a database point supported insulating glass units with special fittings spacers in insulation glass (e.g. unsupported borders) elastic edge or line supports including contact conditions elastic beams acting at the borders
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elastic base any positioning of local springs with translation and rotation degrees multi-language version (German, English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese)
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calculation of stresses resulting from temperature differences given for each layer face loads, line loads, water pressure dead weight (indication by the direction of the gravity vector) any point loads which are automatically distributed over the given area calculation of insulation glass under consideration of the gas pressure laws in the intermediate pane space (gap) under any load (climate loads like pressure differences, thermal expansion of the gas, external loads, pendulum impact,…) all loads can be combined point fixings can be calculated with contact algorithms dynamical calculation of the pendulum impact for single-layer glass, laminated and insulation glass of any design
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the drop height of the pendulum and the impact point can be freely chosen linear or non-linear approaches for single glass layers, laminated safety glass and also for insulating glass units output of curve diagrams for forces, deformations and stresses during the impact period for any predefined position dynamically calculated pressure hits like wind blasts use of safety factors calculation of load cases with any combinations of loads and accompanied safety factors
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manifold evaluation possibilities in the post-processor stresses across the plate thickness and layer order at any point display of the pendulum impact in slow-motion output of all stress components display of the spring forces vector-plot of the principal stresses
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2 Program structure 2.1
Introduction
The format of this manual is organised analogously to the program structure. The single chapters correspond exactly to the dialogues and functions of the program. 2.2
The Program Window
Menu bar The menu bar is located on top of the program window. Icon bar The icon bar is located directly below the menu bar and contains often used buttons. Workspaces Within these workspaces 7 different entries from to are assembled, which are shown permanently in the upper left corner. These workspaces thereby specify the order of the work flow for setting up a project. Projects On the left side the projects are displayed as a tree view. New projects folder, renaming or re-arrangements can be done directly here. Clicking the right mouse button here will open an pop-up menu. Input area, Dialogs This is the area in the middle of the program window. In dialogs and input boxes you can make your corresponding entries or start further functions. Tab sheets A tab sheet is a dialog which makes logical subdivisions of a workspace. There you find for example in the workspace the tab sheets , , , …
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Drawing area The drawing area on the right side of the program window, will always show the defined system. Depending upon the actual workspace and task additional information’s like border number, loads areas or the position of glass fixings, are displayed here. A left mouse click within this window will zoom the drawing to maximum possible size. A second click within this window will close this pop up. 2.3
Menu bar
The frequently used functions from this menu bar are additionally displayed in the icon bar below. 2.3.1 Program 2.3.1.1 Settings
General On hardcopies of the calculation protocol this office line appears as the head line of each page. Material SJ MEPLA always works under consideration of predefined material properties which are used as default data in the workspace . Such defined layer can be changed here again. But, it’s advisable to add and complete in this data base already the standard materials, so that later inputs can be carried out much quicker. The database is predefined with the most usual materials. Amendments or new items are made with the buttons and . -
Open a free entry above the marked line. Then key in the new material properties. The TAB-button leads into the next entry.
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Delete the marked line from the database. This deleting can’t be undone.
Filling gases (for insulating glass units) Analogously to the procedure possible intermediate space materials (gases) are defined here. The most usual gases are also pre-set here. The intermediate spaces are explained in the workspace . Fixings In order to minimise the effort of the geometry description and the elastic properties, often used glass fixings are specified here. These data can always be reused in the workspace and tab sheet and thus do not always have to be defined anew. Every input obtains a name referring e.g. to the manufacturer or the brand name. In future this data base will be maintained with the new type of fixing and manufacturer data. Such input are coloured and cannot be changed in the data base. But it’s possible in the workspace , if other separation layers than those assumed by the manufacturer shall be used. Explanations of these inputs are made in the section . Climatic Loads
In this table user defined climate loads can be defined. All of these definitions can later be used to select a climate load for usage under and . According to German standard (TRLV) two standard climate loads can always be chosen, even if nothing has been defined in this table. Paths Projects The pre-setting for the project path is called: “C:\user documents\SJ_Projekte_MEPLA” If you do not want to save your project locally on the computer but centrally on a server (or a commonly used hard disk) you have to move the directory “SJ_Projekte_MEPLA” using the Windows Explorer to the required position. The path has to be changed accordingly. Base data The pre-setting for the project path is called: C:\user documents\SJ_Projekte_MEPLA SJ Software GmbH, Aachen
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Here the directory “sj_basisdaten\sj_mep” is loacated. If you put these data centrally on a server you can change the path accordingly. Program Is only shown for your information where the program has been installed. Options Colorize active input box: If this button is marked when entering a value, this input box will highlight. Colorize inactive input box: If this button is set, all disabled input boxes are shown in darker colour. For some operating systems this may appear much too dark and so it may be better no to choose this option. Set spacers automatically: If this is enabled, at all borders a spacer is set automatically. If performing a calculation where symmetry is used you may have to remove this automatic setting under , not to generate a spacer at such special positions. Show warning before overwriting an existing calculation: A calculation will generate some result files. If running a calculation again, you will be asked to overwrite these existing results. Here you can select, if this question shall be further on suppressed. Solver: There is the possibility to choose 3 different kind of equation solvers. This setting will be used under as a first default suggestion, which kind of solver to use normally for each calculation. -
In-Core (IC): All calculations are exclusively done within the available RAM (Random Access Memory). If this would not be possible, an error message will appear. Then you have to change this setting and re-run the calculation. This option is specially used if you are using a high amount of RAM possible to address in a 64-bit systems.
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Out-Of-Core (OOC) If the available RAM is very small (< 1GB) this option should be set as default. Then all calculations are mainly performed by swapping the memory to disk. This calculation takes somewhat more time – but is able to run each system.
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In-Core (< 2GB) or Out-Of-Core (>2GB): This setting will let the solver decide by its own. If more space than 2 GB is needed then the OOC Solver will be used. If the system is less then 2 GB, then the faster In-Core solver is taken.
This setting can be changed again under separately for each project. Print Here you can choose a logo and its position which shall be used within the protocol. Additionally you can prevent writing the footer.
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Quit
will terminated the program after a check-back of the changes which have not been saved yet. 2.3.2 Edit This menu uses context sensitive functionality. For this you should first select a desired entry in the project folder whereby this function can be chosen directly by clicking the right mouse button. This will be much faster than clicking the edit button from the menu bar.
Possible options like Cut, Copy or Delete are related to the position where you are working: · Project folder (tree view) If a project has been marked, the chosen function is referred to this project. After a project has been selected and, A marked project folder will be stored for example, if the button or is clicked. Now you can switch to a different project, where you can insert your stored data, to perform a copy from the project. · Input boxes: I you are working in the input area of the program window within an input box, you may highlight this value, to apply a similar function onto this marked text. You may here for example use as well to transfer this selection into the clipboard. Now you are able to use this stored data at other positions as insertion. This not so often used functionally is normally done by , < Ctrl +X> und < Ctrl +V> and will not be explained here any longer. Change This menu item is only active if a project folder has been marked in the tree structure. With the feature a dialog for changing of the project name opens. Cut
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When a project folder and the function has been chosen, the folder sign is displayed more brightly. There you can see that is active. Now you can choose a different location and insert () your data there. The button will abort this action anytime. Copy If you have selected a project folder to this, the folder sign is not changing, what indicates that you are only copying some data but not removing it from the original position. will insert these data at the selected position in your project folder. Paste will insert all data stored in the clipboard at the marked position. Hint: You also can use this function by clicking the to open a pop up menu and the button. Alternatively you can use directly. Delete The function will delete the marked project folder after a check back question. Note: There is no wastebasket available. Deleted data can’t be restored. Hint: Alternatively a selection can be deleted, by pressing the . Undo This function is only available in an input box and not for changes within projects! All function you apply to projects like copy, paste, delete are not possible to undo. The button will only activate if something within an input boxes has been changed. Create Zip-Archive For storage or the transfer of data to computer not connected within a network, there is foreseen a special function. Here it’s possible to pack projects into a zip-file. These will have the ending .zip and can be opened as well with standard programs like WinZip. After marking a project folder you can apply on this project. A windows dialog will for saving file is shown. After pressing you will have the option to give a password. If nothing entered no password safety is used. When there are several sub levels of projects within your selection, these data and folder structure will be stored too. This option is also used for exchanging projects for hotline purposes. If you need help for a project, you can send us this file in zipped format via e-mail. We can open this project and can do some modifications or correction. In the same way back you will receive this project, to insert and open this again in project tree. Open Zip-Archive Open zip archive will unpacked such project files again in your project tree. If the top level “Projects” is marked, all data will be inserted directly in this level. If a lower level folder is chosen, such data will by insert here. A standard window will open. After selection the file is unpacked and inserted in the project tree.
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Properties Here you will get information about a file using a Windows® standard dialog.
2.3.3 View Font The pre-set standard font is Arial 10 pt. Other fonts and type sizes can be selected here. Sorting The collation of the project numbers can be chosen either in ascendant or descendant order. This enables you to list the projects in a logical order. Mouse track If the mouse track is active the currently selected project/workspace is coloured and underlined in the project tree structure. Update In case the tree structure is not displayed properly this command enables you to start a redraw. You can use the key as well. Display help An additional window for displaying some brief help lines is created. We recommend to display this help window in the beginning and to close it when you are familiar with the program.
2.3.4 Specials Live Update This function is only available in the full-version and not in the test-version. As you need full administrator rights to change the installation directory, you should directly start the program (using the right mouse button pop up) with admin rights. When clicking on you will be connected to our internet server. Here you will se your actual version number and the version which is may be possible for update. If a new version exists you may want to install, you have to set the check box first before starting . Now all needed data are transferred and the program will close and open anew. In the lower left footer you will see the new version number now. Note: If a new update liable to pay costs is available you will be pointed to this tact. Then you need a new licence file to let this update run. Updates will be free of charge, if only the last digit of the version number is changed (e.g. 3.5.0 to 3.5.1). Order In this order program you can specify the program version, the number of licences and print out an order form.
Additionally you can request a new license file here, if you have installed this program on an other computer. License Viewer SJ Software GmbH, Aachen
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The license viewer shows the bought and actual used licenses. There are two buttons: Deactivate Normally you don’t need this button. Only in exceptional cases, if the license isn’t correctly managed, you can mark the user/computer and deactivate it. Activation key If you have already got a license file and you have bought further licenses or if you upgrade to a higher program package, you don’t achieve a new license file. Instead of this, you will get a new activation key. This activation key will adjust the license file to your new requirements. System settings Here opens the standard windows dialog to the system properties of the computer. 2.3.5 Language Here you can switch between seven languages: English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. Handbooks only exist in German and English language. In other cases the English versions are shown. The change takes place only after restarting the program. 2.3.6 Help Handbooks Here 3 manuals are available. A Program Manual, a Manual for the Graphic Surface and a Theory Manual for more detailed information. SJ Software Online A mouse click on this item initiates the opening of our homepage in the internet, where we provide general information about us, our programs, faq´s and where updates can be found. Additional information can be found on www.mepla.net. Info Here you obtain information about the version number, our contact details and an e-mail link, which you can use for hotline questions. Alternatively you can use the e-mail [email protected]. 2.4
Icon bar
This icon bar shows the frequently used commands from the menu bar. They are listed here in quickly selectable buttons:
New Project Here you can open w new empty project at the actual position. Open SJ Software GmbH, Aachen
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If the upper item in the tree structure is marked, automatically all workspaces of the existing projects will open. If a special project is selected, only the related projects will open. Save Saving of the inputs made for this project so far. Cut to Functions See paragraph