midas nGen

Basic Tutorial

FEM Analysis of Steel Water Tank

 midas nGen

GUI Information

Main Menu
Tool Bar

Works Tree

Model View-1 Model View-2

Properties
Window

Message
Window Tool Box Status Bar

1. Main Menu : It consists of tabs classified according to the purpose of each function.
2. Works Tree : Provide all items and fuctions you are working on in the Program.
3. Tool Bar : This menu is a compact mini icon of functions that are frequently used.
4. Properties : You can confirm or edit information about the selected object on the model view.
5. Message Window : Messages and processes that occur during work will be coming out in message window.
6. Tool Box : You can make up frequently used functions according to your preference.
7. Status Bar : Provides coordinate system, unit system, and modeling options to increase work efficiency.
 midas nGen

Basic user’s guide

Navigation Tool Context Menu

Model View Model View Model View

Zoom in/out Rotation Move

Scroll up
Ctrl
Scroll down

Define / Model View

Undo Delete Cancel
input Move

Ctrl Z Delete Enter Esc Space

1. Tab fuction : It can be used to move fields.

2. [+] icon in the dialog : “Apply” ; Used for continuous input in the dialog.
3. [V] icon in the dialog : “O.K” ; Finish input data and close the dialog.
Contents midas nGen

Shell
Thickness 1.25
7mm Shell Course 6 2.32

7mm Shell Course 5 2.32

7mm Shell Course 4 2.42

7mm Shell Course 3 2.42
8mm Shell Course 2 2.42
10mm Shell Course 1 2.42

Roof cover = 7mm

15.00
Base = 8mm
Figure 1: Shell Assignment of Water Tank

The steel tank material is ASTM09(S) A283-30 which will be filled with water at
maximum height of 9.80 meter.

Originally, it is divided into when the water is full and when it is empty, and the load
must be assigned in detail.
However, the relevant contents will be omitted and the method of load input will be
mainly explained in this tutorial.

This example is a simple guide to the basic FEM modeling in midas nGen. If you directly operate the program
according to the following instructions, you can easily apply it to other structures with an FEM approach of design
in midas nGen.
In addition to this example, other structure types are provided in the video on the midas integrated website
(https://en.midasuser.com/training/video_tutorial_list.asp).
Contents midas nGen

Step 1 Modeling

Step 2 Load & Boundary

Step 3 Perform Analysis

Step 4 Results Evaluation

midas nGen

Step1 Modeling

Define Material

Define Thickness

Define Story

Create Base Geometry

Copy Function

Shell and Base Geometry

Top Cover Geometry

Convert into Member

Step1 Modeling midas nGen

* Save As & Unit Setting

① Click the midas nGen icon at the top left.
② Click the ‘Save As’ menu
③ Save the file in the path you want.
④ Structure Tab of main menu > Click the ‘Global Setting’ ▶ Global Settings dialog will appear.
⑤ Set the duration of auto save file to 10min at application item in the general menu.
⑥ Set the unit system to kN/m in the status bar at the bottom of the program.

3
6
4

5
Step1 Modeling midas nGen

1) Define Material
① Define Tab in the main menu > Click the material icon ▶ Material Dialog will appear.
② Select material code as ASTM09(M), A283-30
③ Click the ‘O.K’ in the dialog ▶ The material is added to the model tab in the work tree.

Modeling Tip

If you right-click on the Material item on

the tree menu, you can directly enter the
dialog box without clicking the main
menu.
Step1 Modeling midas nGen

2) Define Thickness
① Click the ‘Define’ tab in the main menu > Click the ‘2D Thickness’ ▶ Thickness dialog appears.
② Select ‘A28-30’ as the material in the main menu.
③ Input thickness ‘0.007’
④ Click the ‘Apply’ icon to add a section ▶ Thickness is added in the tree menu.
⑤ Select ‘A28-30’ as the material in the main menu.
⑥ Input thickness ‘0.008’
⑦ Click the ‘Apply’ icon to add a section ▶ Thickness is added in the tree menu.
⑧ Select ‘A28-30’ as the material in the main menu.
⑨ Input thickness ‘0.01’
⑩ Click the ‘OK’ icon to add a section ▶ Thickness is added to the Model tab of the work tree and the Material
dialog box closes.

2 5

3 6
4 7

9
10
Step1 Modeling midas nGen

3) Define Story
① Click the ‘Structure’ tab in the main menu > Click the ‘Story’ ▶ Story data dialog appears.
② Click ‘Add’. ▶ T1 is registered.
③ Click ‘Close’
④ Click ‘Add a new story’ icon under Story Data. ▶ Add Story dialog appears.
⑤ Input ‘7’ in Number of Stories.
⑥ Input ‘2.42’ in Height.
⑦ Click ‘OK’ ▶ Add Story dialog closes and initial story data is displayed.
⑧ Edit ‘1.25’ in Height at 7F.
⑨ Edit ‘2.32’ in Height at 6F and 5F.
⑩ Click ‘OK’ ▶ Story Data dialog closes.

1
3
2

7
2 8

4
10

7
Step1 Modeling midas nGen

4) Create Base Geometry

① Click ‘Story’ in the model area > Select ‘T1:1F’. ▶ Story view displays (2D Plane)
② Click ‘Body’ tab in the main menu > Click ‘Circle’ > Click ‘Center point’
③ Pick point at the center of grid, then input diameter ‘15’ and Press ‘Enter’ to finish the command. ▶ Circle is
created and registered under Geometry in the tree menu.
④ In the model area > Select ‘3D’. Then, click the mouse wheel. ▶Navigation Tool appears.
⑤ Click the Home icon View button ▶The model view is changed to isometric view.

3
1

2
Pick center point

Input diameter: ‘15’

3

3D model ISO view

Step1 Modeling midas nGen

5) Copy Function
① Click ‘Copy’. Then, go to Model area to Select the circle.
② Click ‘Select 2 points’ option then pick first point at 0,0,0 coordinates. (click the origin)
③ For the 2nd point, change coordinates to 0,0,2.42.
④ Click ‘Apply’ icon to proceed in copying.
⑤ For the succeeding points, repeat steps 3 and 4 to generate circles up to 5F Story.
⑥ Change coordinates to 0,0,2.32. then click ‘Apply’ by another 2 sets to reach 7F Story.
⑦ Press ‘ESC’ button to finish the command. ▶ Generated Circles are displayed.

1
1.25

Shell Course 6 2.32

Shell Course 5 2.32

2 3 4

Shell Course 4 2.42

Shell Course 3 2.42

Shell Course 2 2.42

Shell Course 1 2.42

15.00

Pick first point Water tank elevation

(0,0,0)

Select the circle body

Modeling Option
You may also draw circles in each floor by
changing the view to story and draw in each
story.

Series of generated circles from 1F to 7F

Step1 Modeling midas nGen

6) Shell and Base Geometry

① Click ‘Extrude’. Then, go to Model area.
② Select first 4 circles from 1F. (to generate 4 individual shells) Check the direction pointing upwards.
③ Input ‘2.42’ in the Distance, then Press ‘Enter’. ▶ Cylindrical faces are displayed.
④ Select circles at 5F and 6F.
⑤ Input ‘2.32’ in the Distance, Press ‘Enter’. Then Press ‘Esc” to finish the command.
⑥ Click ‘Face’, then Select objects at 1F.
⑦ Click ‘Apply’ icon or Press ‘Enter” then Press ‘Esc’ to finish the command. ▶ Face is created.

2 4
Select circles at 5F and 6F

5
Direction

6
Select circle at 1F
Step1 Modeling midas nGen

7) Top Cover Geometry

① In the model area > Select ‘T1:Roof’. ▶ Story view @Roof displays (2D Plane)
② Click ‘Point’ under the ‘Body’ tab.
③ Click the center and Press ‘Enter’ to create a point. ▶ Created point registers in the tree menu.
④ In the model area > Select ‘3D’. Then, click the mouse wheel. ▶Navigation Tool appears.
⑤ Click the Home icon View button ▶The model view is changed to isometric view.
⑥ Click ‘Line’ under the ‘Body’ tab.
⑦ Pick 1st point at 7F and the 2nd point at Roof level (as shown), then Press ‘Esc’ to finish the command.

Pick point

3
a

7
1st point at ‘a’ and 2nd at ‘b’

6
Step1 Modeling midas nGen

7) Top Cover Geometry

① Click ‘Sweep’ under the ‘Body’ tab.
② Select the line created from the previous step.
③ Click ‘Path’ option in the model area.
④ Select the arcs at 7F then Press ‘Enter’ and ‘Esc’ to finish the command. ▶Top cover geometry is now
generated.

2
Select line

Select arcs
4

Front View

Isometric View
Step1 Modeling midas nGen

8) Convert to Member
① Click ‘Convert to member’ under the ‘Body’ tab. ▶ Assign Member dialog appears.
② Toggle ‘Face’. Set Member: ‘Wall’, Analysis Type: ‘Plate-Meshed’, Design Type: ‘Wall Force’, Property: ‘T7’
③ Select 4 upper shells and Top cover (as shown), then Click ‘Apply’.
④ Change Property: ‘T8’
⑤ Select shell (as shown), then Click ‘Apply’.
⑥ Change Property: ‘T10’
⑦ Select shell (as shown), then Click ‘Apply’.
⑧ Set Member: ‘Plate’, Design Type: ‘Flexure’, Property: ‘T8’
⑨ Select base (as shown), then Click ‘OK’. ▶ Properties and analysis condition are assigned and ‘Assign
Member’ dialog closes.

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3

4
4

3 5

8
6 8

6
7 9
midas nGen

Step2 Load & Boundary

Self Weight

Live Load

Fluid Pressure

Wind Load

Static Seismic Load

Load Combination

Support
Step2 Load & Boundary midas nGen

1) Self Weight
① Click the Load tab > Self Weight icon in the main menu ▶The self weight dialog box appears.
② Check ‘Self Weight-1’ in the name field.
③ Click … icon in the dialog.
④ Set the ‘static load set’ dialog as shown.
⑤ Input ‘-1’ in the Scale Factor to the Z direction.
⑥ Click the O.K button. ▶The self weight of the whole structure is applied.
⑦ Confirm that self weight is added on the work tree.

3
4

Do not include
Load cases
5
W-[Ortho.] &
E-[Ortho.].

7
Step2 Load & Boundary midas nGen

2) Live Load
① Click ‘Pressure’ ▶ Pressure dialog appears.
② Under Load Case ‘LL’, Select ‘Face Pressure’ (default)
③ Change the Direction Type to ‘Coordinate’ the Toggle ‘Z-direction’
④ Input Pressure Value: ‘-1’ Then Select the objects at top cover.
⑤ Click ‘OK’ ▶ Pressure dialog closes and the pressure load is registered to the works tree.

Select objects

5
Step2 Load & Boundary midas nGen

3) Fluid Pressure
① Click ‘Pressure’ ▶ Pressure dialog appears.
② Under Load Case ‘F’, Select ‘Face Pressure’ (default)
③ Change the Direction Type to ‘Coordinate’ the Toggle ‘Z-direction’
④ Input Pressure Value: ‘-96.14’ Then Select the objects at base.
⑤ Click ‘Add’ to finish adding Fluid Pressure at base.
⑥ Click ‘…’ icon in the ‘Value’ to Add a load function. ▶Function dialog appears.
⑦ Click ‘Add’ Then set the name as ‘Hydrostatic’ and input as shown.
⑧ Click ‘OK’ then close the ‘Function dialog box.

Select object

Pressure input is the calculated

Hydrostatic pressure of water
at 9.8m high.

7
3

6
5

This load function is generated

for the hydrostatic loads acting
8
on sides of the tank.
Step2 Load & Boundary midas nGen

3) Fluid Pressure
① Change the Direction Type to ‘Normal’
② Input Pressure ‘1 kN/m2’
③ Under Function, Select ‘Hydrostatic’ then select objects as shown (half of the shells).
④ Click ‘Apply’
⑤ Change the Pressure value to ‘-1’.
⑥ Select the objects as shown (other half of the shells). Then click ‘OK’. ▶Pressure dialog closes.

1 Left side
View

2 5

4 6
Left side
View

Check the defined Hydrostatic

pressures in the tree menu.
Pressure value: -1
Function: Hydrostatic

Pressure value: 1
Function: Hydrostatic

Assigned pressure at
sides of the tank.
Top View
Step2 Load & Boundary midas nGen

4) Wind Load - 1
① ‘Load’ tab in the main menu > Click the ‘Assign Wind Load’ icon ▶Wind Load dialog appears.
② Select the ‘Story’ type in the Wind Load dialog. (Default is a Story type)
③ Check the ‘Generate Load Set for ortho’ ▶To define Wind Load in y direction.
④ Click the ‘… ‘ icon for adding design Wind Load ▶Design Function dialog appears.
⑤ Click the ‘Add’ icon in the ‘Design Function’ dialog ▶Design Wind Load dialog appears.
⑥ Input all data in the ‘Design Wind Load (Building)’ dialog as shown
⑦ Click the ‘OK’ in the ‘Design Wind Load (Building)’ dialog.▶Function will be added in Design Function dialog.
⑧ Set to the number ‘1’ at Major and Ortho direction
⑨ Click the ‘Apply’ icon in the ‘Wind Load’ dialog.

6
5
2

Click ‘Report’
9 to produce Calculation
of Design Wind Load 7
Step2 Load & Boundary midas nGen

4) Wind Load - 2
① In the tree menu > Wind Load 1 [0] > Right Click and Select ‘Modify’ ▶Wind Load dialog appears.
② Click ‘Show Profile’ ▶Wind Load Profile dialog appears.
③ Click ‘Pressure’ ▶Wind Load Profile dialog appears.
④ Input as shown under Load Case ‘Wr’ to define uplift pressure on top cover. Then close.

Check the Story Load

Data below for detailed
Wind Force Values
1

We will define a Pressure Load to set 4

the uplift Pressure in the roof cover.
Input as
shown

Wr

W W Ortho
Step2 Load & Boundary midas nGen

5) Static Seismic Load

① Click ‘Static Seismic Load’ ▶Static Seismic Load dialog appears.
② Select ‘General Structure’
③ Check the ‘Generate Load Set for ortho’ ▶To define Seismic Load in y direction.
④ Click the ‘…‘ icon for adding Design Seismic Load ▶Design Function dialog appears.
⑤ Click the ‘Add‘ ▶Design Function dialog appears.
⑥ Input all parameters as shown to define seismic load function
⑦ Click ‘OK’ Then Close the ‘Design Function’ dialog.
⑧ Select the defined seismic load (UBC 1997 (Static)-1) seismic
⑨ Click ‘OK’ ▶Static Seismic Load dialog closes.

2
1

3
5

8 4

Calculate Approximate Period

9 using Period Calculator

Click ‘Report’
to produce Calculation
of Design Seismic Load
Step2 Load & Boundary midas nGen

6) Load Combination
① Analysis tab in the main menu > Click the ‘Combination’ icon.
② Select the Steel icon.
③ Click the … icon to modify the design code
④ Change the American standard and steel code of category in the ‘Design Setting’ dialog
⑤ Click the O.K icon.
⑥ Click the ‘Auto Generation’ icon in the ‘Define Load Combinations’ dialog.

2
3

5
Step2 Load & Boundary midas nGen

6) Load Combination
① Confirm all load combinations and then Click the ‘Add’ icon in the ‘Auto Generation by Template’ dialog.
② Check the generated load combination in the Load combination list.
③ If there is no problem with load combinations, Click the ‘X’ button in the dialog.

1
3

2
Step2 Load & Boundary midas nGen

7) Support
① Boundary tab in the main menu > Click the ‘Area Spring’ icon ▶’Area Spring’ dialog appears.
② Click ‘Distribute Spring’ icon.
③ Select ‘Face’ in the Type field then Select the base of the tank.
④ Input Spring information as shown then click ‘OK’. ▶’Area Spring’ dialog closes.
⑤ For horizontal stability, add support. Click ‘Support’ icon. ▶ ‘Support’ dialog appears.
⑥ Check ‘Tx’ and ‘Ty’ Then Select the points a and b
⑦ Click ‘OK’. ▶ ‘Support’ dialog closes and all defined support system is registered to the tree menu.

5
2

4 a b

Left Side View

Check the defined soil spring

support and support in the
tree menu and Model area.
midas nGen

Step3 Perform Analysis

Confirm Analysis Settings

Confirm Analysis Case

Perform Analysis
Step3 Perform Analysis midas nGen

1) Confirm Analysis Settings

① Analysis tab in the main menu > Analysis Settings ▶ ’Analysis Case’ dialog appears.
② Click ‘Mesh’ tab to define the configurations in FEM.
③ Under ‘2D Mesh’ , Select ‘Length’ as Method of division. Then set ‘0.5m’
④ Click ‘Solver’ tab to set the optimum capacity of the solver to your computer.
⑤ Click ‘OK’ to close.
⑥ Click ‘OK’ to close.

4
2

6 5
Step3 Perform Analysis midas nGen

2) Confirm Analysis Case & Perform Analysis

① Analysis tab in the main menu > Define Analysis Case Group > Click the Static / Rs icon
▶ ’Analysis Case’ dialog appears.
② Click ‘Analysis Control’ to define analysis type.
③ Set the Analysis type to ‘Static’ (default is Static). Then, Click ‘OK’ to close.
④ Confirm the analysis model (A) and analysis sets area (B & C), and then Click the O.K button in the dialog.
⑤ Analysis tab in the main menu > Click the ‘Run Analysis’ icon.
⑥ Click the O.K button in the ‘Run Analysis’ dialog. ▶Analysis will be performed.

1 5

B C

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midas nGen

Step 4 Results Evaluation

Pre- and Post- Processing Mode

Guide in Mesh Display

and Cutting View

Guide in Viewing Result

Checking and Importing Result

Tables in Excel
Step4 Results Evaluation midas nGen

1) Analysis Result – pre processing /

post processing mode
① Pre processing mode
② Post processing mode
③ The results tab becomes active after analysis or design. You can check the results data in post processing
mode.

1 2

Midas nGen classifies the program environment into pre-processing and post-processing mode for user convenience.
All input data involved in the modeling is possible only in the pre-processing mode, and the for the reaction / displacement /
member forces / stress are set to be performed in the post-processing mode.

When the structural analysis is completed without errors, the mode environment automatically switches from the pre-processing
mode to the post-processing mode.

If you change the input data which is modeling or load after the analysis is completed, the previous analysis results are deleted.
Also, the post-processing mode will be automatically changed to the pre-processing mode.
It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that if the input information is changed at the post-processing.

Midas nGen provides the following post-processing functions for check of linear static analysis results:
 Analysis & Design Results according to the Load Combinations (including Envelope Max / Min / All)
 Confirmation of reaction
 Provide with Search function for results
 Deformation, Deformed Shape, Displacement Contour
 Member / Element Forces, Diagrams
 Element Stresses Contour
 Summary & Detail Design Report
 Local direction force sum from plate or solid element
 Show tables results
 Graphic & Text output
Step4 Results Evaluation midas nGen

2) Guide in Mesh Display

① Click the ‘View Control’ icon in easy access toolbars below the ribbon. ▶View Control dialog appears.
② View Option (Mesh) > Select ‘mesh Edge’ then Close. ▶Displays mesh.
③ Results > Click ‘Cutting View’. ▶Cutting View dialog appears.
④ Adjust the cutting view’s angle and location by dragging the control points of the plane.
⑤ Click ‘Add’ button to add the cutting view then close. ▶Cutting View dialog closes.

Toggle on/off the cutting

view by Clicking the
‘Cutting View’

2 Add more cutting

planes by repeating the
process. Choose the
plane to be displayed by
checking the box.

Plane controls in adjusting

the cutting plane

5
Step4 Results Evaluation midas nGen

3) Guide in Viewing Result

① View Displacement in Z direction in Static DL Load Case: Analysis Tree Menu > Static Linear > Static DL >
Displacement Z (double click). ▶Displays in model.
② Select Load Combination Envelope to view: Click ‘Combination (Steel)’ then Right Click.
③ Click ‘Envelope’ Then choose load envelope. ▶Chosen envelope will be viewed in the tree menu.

Click ‘Load Value’ icon

to Show/Hide value

Repeat the steps to view

other results in a specified
primary load case.

1 Double Click

3 3

Right Click
Select the envelope that
you want to view results.
Then, click ‘Apply’.
Step4 Results Evaluation midas nGen

4) Checking and Importing Result Tables in Excel

① Confirm the values of Reaction at the base in table format: Tree Menu > Click ‘Table’ tab.
② Click ‘Analysis’ ▶You can check the Analysis results in the view window at the bottom.
③ Click ‘Reactions’ tab Then, set the load combinations in serviceability envelope as shown.
④ Click ‘Sel’ button for node selection then select nodes at the base.
⑤ Export table by Right Click at the upper left of the table then Select Export to Excel. ▶New excel file will be
generated.

4
Selected Nodes
2

4 3