User Manual

v1.0

© CEOsoftware 2021
Table of Contents
Preface ........................................................................................................................................ 2
1. About CEO ....................................................................................................................... 3
2. How it Works ................................................................................................................... 3
3. CEO Input ........................................................................................................................ 4
3.1 ETABS Input ................................................................................................................ 4
3.2 Excel Input.................................................................................................................... 6
3.3 Python Interface............................................................................................................ 8
4. Modeling Features .......................................................................................................... 10
4.1 Materials ..................................................................................................................... 10
4.2 Elements ..................................................................................................................... 11
4.2.1 Point Elements..................................................................................................... 12
4.2.2 Line Elements ...................................................................................................... 16
4.2.3 Area Elements ..................................................................................................... 24
5. Boundary Conditions and Constraints............................................................................ 29
5.1 Boundary Conditions .................................................................................................. 29
5.2 Constraints .................................................................................................................. 29
6. Recorders........................................................................................................................ 30
7. Loading........................................................................................................................... 31
8. Mass ............................................................................................................................... 32
9. Analysis .......................................................................................................................... 33
9.1 Gravity Analysis ......................................................................................................... 34
9.2 Static Analysis ............................................................................................................ 34
9.3 Dynamic Analysis ...................................................................................................... 35
9.4 Analysis Settings ........................................................................................................ 36

CEO software 1 User Manual

Preface
Dear user,

This user manual represents brief overview of basic functions of CEO software. It should be
mainly used as a reference for various commands available in the software. For information about
installation, getting started, and examples please refer to tutorial videos available within the User
Docs tab at the CEO website www.ceostructural.com.

The website and this user manual will be periodically updated and expanded, so make sure you
sign up for updates and follow CEO software on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Thank you for your interest in using CEO software.

The CEO Team

CEO software 2 User Manual

 1. About CEO
CEO software was created to make OpenSees modeling easier and to make the latest research
more accessible engineering community and academia.
OpenSees is an open-source structural analysis software that is being constantly expanded and
improved with contributions from researchers from all over the world. Although OpenSees is a
very powerful analytical tool, it is used mostly by researchers, typically graduate students.
Unfortunately, due to lack of graphical user interface, OpenSees is typically avoided in engineering
industry, while students and researchers find working with OpenSees challenging at an early stage.
On the other hand, commercial structural analysis software, like ETABS, are widely used by
practicing engineers and engineering students, but they are typically inferior in terms of
sophistication of material models and elements implemented into their formulation and
computational efficiency.
CEO software converts structural models generated in ETABS, which is one of the most used
structural analysis software in structural design of buildings in the U.S., into OpenSees models,
and executes several types of static and dynamic analyses. This process has several important
advantages:
1) Learning CEO is easy because users build models in software they are already familiar
with, in this case ETABS, and can rely on its many useful features (e.g., meshing, load
application, mass calculations, etc.).
2) No need for generating new model for nonlinear analysis because existing ETABS
model generated for elastic design is used to create nonlinear model.
3) CEO is fast and intuitive because it usually takes only few seconds to create an OpenSees
model from ETABS and the user interface is very simple.

2. How it Works
The general process by which CEO operates is based on three widely available programs:
ETABS, Excel, and Python. ETABS is where building geometry is defined by creating a three-
dimensional model. Excel is used for inputting the various parameters required for material and
element models. Lastly, Python reads data from both ETABS and Excel and generates OpenSees
input files and is also used to execute OpenSees analysis (Figure 1).

Figure 1 General process for model generation and analysis using CEO.

CEO software 3 User Manual

 3. CEO Input
3.1 ETABS Input
For main commands used to define input that will be parsed by CEO can be accomplished using
four main commands in ETABS – define, draw, select, assign (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Four main commands used by CEO for converting the model from ETABS to OpenSees.

Definition of various OpenSees structural elements is accomplished by defining corresponding

elements in ETABS (using Define commands) that follow a specific naming convention. For
example, if the user would like to define a displacement based nonlinear fiber element in
OpenSees, the user should define a section called DBE_x and assign it to desired line element in
ETABS, where DBE is identifier for the displacement-based beam-column element (OpenSees
element command dispBeamColumn) and x is a tag of a fiber section that will be assigned to that
element. Syntax is important, and a reference guide for the naming convention is provided in Table
1. This table also shows the various ETABS options used for both the Draw and Assign commands.
A number of OpenSees modeling commands, such as Node/Element Recorders and Node
Constraints (e.g., rigid diaphragms, etc.), are defined by assigning model nodes or elements to an
ETABS Objects Groups (Figure 3) using specific naming convention. Names of specific Object
Groups that should be defined in ETABS are described where applicable throughout the user
manual.

CEO software 4 User Manual

 Table 1 Reference guide for Define, Draw, and Assign ETABS commands.
ETABS Menu ETABS Option ETABS Name* Description
BAR_matTag Bar (truss) element
FRAMEB_x Elastic Bearnoulli beam-column element
FRAMET_x Elastic Timoshenko beam-column element
Elastic beam-column element with custom section
Section Properties/Frame Sections custom section properties per Custom Section tab of Model_Input
file
FRAMEWHINGES_fsecTag Frame with hinges
DBE_aggTag Displacement-based fiber beam column element
FBE_aggTag Force-based fiber beam column element
Section Properties/Link-Support LINK_linkTag Link element used in definition of SPRINGx,
Define/…
Properties BEARINGx, or HINGEx
SHELLPLATE_secTag Elastic shell/plate element
MVLEM_secTag MVLEM RC wall element
Wall/Slab/Deck Sections SFIMVLEM_secTag SFI-MVLEM RC wall element
QUADRC_secTag Nonlinear FE RC element
LAYEREDRC_secTag Layered RC shell element
Spring Properties/Point Springs SPRING_x Support spring
Spring Properties/Point Springs BEARING_x Support friction bearing
Spring Properties/Point Springs HINGE_x Hinge between two elements connected at node
Static Load Cases any Static load case with name as defined by user
Draw Point Objects - Node
Draw/… Draw Line Objects - Line elements
Draw Area Objects - Area elements
Joint/Point / Restraints (Supports) - Element boundary conditions
Joint/Point / Point Springs - Support spring or internal hinge
Joint/Point / Diaphragms - Rigid diaphragm
Assign/… Joint/Point / Additional Point Mass - Nodal mass
Joint/Point Loads / Forces - Nodal forces
Frame/Line / Frame Section… - Truss or elasticBeamColumn element
Shell/Area / Wall/Slab/Deck Section… - quadWall, MVLEM, or SFI-MVLEM wall element
* x = tag represented by any string
matTag = tag of the uniaxial material defined in the Model_Input file
linkTag = Tag of the link element defined in Link tab of the Model_Input file
secTag = section tag of an area element defined in ShellPlate , MVLEM , SFI-MVLEM , quadRC, or LAYEREDRC tab of the Model_Input file
fsecTag = tag of the fiber section (OpenSees command fiberSec) defined in Fiber Patches tab of the Model_Input file
aggTag = tag of the aggregated fiber section defined in Aggregator tab of the Model_Input file
eleTag = tag of the element defined in Link or Frame w Hinges tab of the Model_Input file

CEO software 5 User Manual

 Figure 3 ETABS menu for assigning/defining Objects Group names.

3.2 Excel Input

Excel input file, called Model_Input_x.xlsm, is used to define various input parameters of
OpenSees material and element models. This file can be also used to define the parameters for
performing a static or dynamic analysis. It is important that the name of the file begins with
Model_Input string. Figure 4 shows list and color coding for various input parameters available in
the excel input file.

Figure 4 List of tabs in Model_Input Excel input file.

Figure 5 shows the general layout of a tab in the Excel input file used for defining properties of
OpenSees materials and elements. Marker 1 demonstrates the drop-down menu used for turning a
spreadsheet “ON” or “OFF”. Marker 2 is a reserved cell for naming purposes – input in this field
is for internal use only and it does not affect the modeling parameters. Marker 3 shows the drop

CEO software 6 User Manual

menu for selecting the desired option (e.g., material model). Marker 4 is where modeling
parameters will be input. Marker 5 will describe the parameters entered in Marker 4.

Figure 5 General format of Excel material input file.

1 Excel sheet toggle option 4 Parameters Input

2 Material input name 5 Description

3 Material selection menu

CEO software 7 User Manual

 3.3 Python Interface
Graphical user interface is very simple, but don’t let you be fooled by it! It has many useful
options. Figure 6 demonstrates the start screen prompt when starting CEO.

Step #1: Model Generation

Figure 6 CEO start screen prompt.

When working with CEO, the user only needs to make selections on the keyboard. For the start
screen prompt, the user can choose letters N, G, U, A, R (not case sensitive), which translate in
the following CEO commands.

N: NEW MODEL to convert or analyze

Opens 'Browse' window to select a directory with ETABS model that will be converted. Select
this option if you want to start working on a new model.
G: GENERATE model
Initiates the conversion sequence of the ETABS model in the 'Working directory'. Select this
option if you want to generate new model.
U: UPDATE existing model
Repeats the conversion sequence of the ETABS model in the 'Working directory'. Select this
option if you made changes to the model and want to regenerate it.
A: ANALYZE existing model
Initiates the analysis sequence of the ETABS model in the 'Working directory'. Select this
option if you want to start a new analysis with the model.
R: REPEAT ANALYSIS with existing model
Repeats the analysis sequence of the ETABS model in the 'Working directory'. Select this
option if you made changes to the analysis parameters and want to run the same type of analysis
as previously.

CEO software 8 User Manual

 After the initial selection is made, CEO will execute different commands depending on the
initial choice and ask additional question to complete the desired task. In all other steps (except
the start prompt), the user will enter numerical values (1, 2, 3, etc.). For example, after selecting
command A (analyze existing model), CEO will ask the user to select the type of the analysis that
will be performed, as illustrated in Figure 7. CEO will similarly offer different options for other
initial selections.

Figure 7 CEO screen prompt for selection of analysis type.

CEO software 9 User Manual

 4. Modeling Features
4.1 Materials
A variety of nonlinear material models are available in CEO including:

Uniaxial Materials
• Elastic Materials
o Elastic
o Elastic No Tension (ENT)
• Hysteretic Materials
o Elastic-Perfectly-Plastic (EPP)
o Elastic-Perfectly-Plastic Gap Material (EPP Gap)
o Hardening
o Hysteretic
o Pinching4
o SAWS
• Concrete Materials
o Concrete0
o Concrete01
o Concrete02
o ConcreteCM
• Steel Materials
o Steel02
o SteelMPF
• Combined Materials
o Parallel
o Series
• Wrapper Materials
o MinMax
• Friction Models
o Coulomb Friction
o Velocity Dependent Friction
o Velocity and Normal Force Dependent Friction
o Velocity and Pressure Dependent Friction
o Multi-Linear Velocity Dependent Friction
• Damper Materials
o ViscousDamper

2D Reinforced Concrete Materials

• Fixed-Strut-Angle Model (FSAM)
• PlaneStressUserMaterial

For details about the material models refer to OpenSees user documentation.

CEO software 10 User Manual

 4.2 Elements
CEO provides a variety of point, line, and area elements for generation of structural models
including:

Point (zero-length) Elements

• Support spring
• Connection spring
• Bearing (various types)
Line Elements
• Truss
• BRB
Elastic beam-column
• Bernoulli
• Timoshenko
Fiber-based beam-column
• Displacement-based
• Force-based
• Fiber sections
• Section aggregator
Area Elements
• Elastic shell-plate
• Layered shell
• MVLEM-3D
• SFI-MVLEM-3D
• quadRC-3D (nonlinear RC)

For details about the structural element models refer to OpenSees user documentation.

CEO software 11 User Manual

 4.2.1 Point Elements
Three types of point (zero-length) elements are available in CEO: 1) support springs, which
connect a structural node to a pin support via uniaxial spring element (Figure 8a), 2) support
friction bearing, which connect a structural node to a fix support via bearing element (Figure 8b),
and 3) internal hinges, which connect two nodes of frame and/or area elements with a uniaxial
spring (Figure 8c).

a) b) c)
Figure 8 Point elements: a) support spring, b) internal hinge, c) friction bearing.

To define a point element in OpenSees using CEO, a support/hinge property should be defined
first in ETABS using Link/Support Properties option (Figure 9). The name of the link property
should start with “LINK” or “LINK_” followed by an integer linkTag (e.g., LINK1 or LINK_1),
where linkTag value refers to tag assigned in the Link tab of the Excel input file. Subsequently, the
direction (in global coordinate system) in which the uniaxial link material will be applied in the
OpenSees model should be specified in the Link Property Data definition window (Figure 10),
where only one direction should be selected for optimal use of this feature.

CEO software 12 User Manual

 Figure 9 ETABS menu for defining point elements.

Figure 10 ETABS menu defining hinge material tag and direction.

Support spring or internal hinge elements are assigned to a structural node in the ETABS model
using the Assign/Joint/Springs option (Figure 11). If defining a support spring, the name of the
new spring element in ETABS should start with “SPRING”, if defining a bearing element, the
name of the new spring element in ETABS should start with “BEARING”, and if defining an
internal hinge, the name of the new spring element in ETABS should start with “HINGE”.

CEO software 13 User Manual

 HINGEx, SPRINGx or BEARINGx

Figure 11 ETABS menu for assigning spring or hinge elements.

For support springs, properties of a spring element can be defined in Point Spring Property
Data window in ETABS in two ways: a) by specifying spring stiffness using Simple Spring
Stiffness in Global Direction options (Figure 12a), which will create linear-elastic support springs
in OpenSees model, or b) by selecting a previously-defined LINK_linkTag (with defined direction)
(Figure 12b), which will create a support spring with uniaxial material properties per Link tab in
Excel input file. If both options a) and b) are defined for a support spring or internal hinge in
ETABS, parameters of option b) will overwrite the parameters of option a) (i.e., option a) will be
ignored).
For friction bearings, properties of a bearing element can be defined in Point Spring Property
Data window in ETABS by selecting a previously-defined LINK_linkTag (with defined direction)
(Figure 12b), which will create a bearing element per Link tab in Excel input file.
For internal hinges, properties of a spring element can be defined in Point Spring Property Data
window in ETABS by selecting a previously-defined LINK_linkTag (with defined direction)
(Figure 12b), which will create an internal hinge with material properties per Link tab in Excel
input file.

CEO software 14 User Manual

 Figure 12: ETABS menu for definition of properties of support springs or internal hinges: a)
definition of elastic support springs, b) definition of support springs or internal hinges based on
LINK_linkTag material defined in Excel input file.

CEO software 15 User Manual

 4.2.2 Line Elements
4.2.2.1 Bar (Truss) Elements
To setup a bar element, the ETABS section name must have the following format:
BAR_matTag, where matTag is the material tag corresponding to the linear or nonlinear material
model specified in the Excel input file.

ETABS section name: BAR_matTag

Materials: linear and nonlinear
Example applications:
• Truss members
• BRB members
• Concentrated reinforcement
•

Figure 13 Bar element model used for any uniaxial material.

Defining the bar section name is done in the ETABS screen shown in Figure 14. Here, the
user will also specify the section dimensions, material, and property modifiers.

Figure 14 ETABS input for defining bar line element properties.

CEO software 16 User Manual

 4.2.2.2 Elastic Frame Element
To setup an elastic frame element, the ETABS section name must have the following format:
FRAMEB_x or FRAMET_x. Where FRAMEB_x is used to define Bernoulli beam-column
elements, FRAMET_x is used to define Timoshenko beam-column elements, and ‘x’ can be any
character for identification by the user.

ETABS section name: FRAMEB_x or FRAMET_x

Section: Elastic
Example applications:
• Beams
• Columns

Figure 15 Elastic frame line element model used for any uniaxial material.

Defining the elastic frame section name is done in the ETABS screen shown in Figure 16.
Here, the user will also specify the section dimensions, material, and property modifiers.

Figure 16 ETABS input for defining elastic frame element properties.

CEO software 17 User Manual

 Another option to define cross-sectional properties of elastic frame elements is by manual entry
into the “Custom Section” tab shown in Figure 17. Section name from the “ETABS Section Name”
column shown below is assigned to the frame element with the same name in ETABS. Material
properties will be assigned based on ETABS frame section input.

Figure 17 Custom section properties definitions in Material_Input file

Figure 18 illustrates two possible ways to assign property modifiers: 1) by defining Property
Modifiers in the section property definition (Option 1), or 2) by assigning Property Modifiers to
the selected frame elements (Option 2).

Figure 18 ETABS input defining section property modifiers.

CEO software 18 User Manual

 4.2.2.3 Fiber-Based Frame Element
There are two types of nonlinear fiber-based line elements available in CEO: displacement-
based element (DBE) and force-based element (FBE) (Figure 19).

ETABS section names: DBE_x, FBE_x

Flexure: Fiber section
Shear: Uniaxial materials
Section: Aggregated (nonlinear)
Example applications:
• Nonlinear beams and column

Figure 19 Fiber-based frame element – defined as either DBE or FBE.

The first step in definition of either DBE or FBE is the definition of the fiber section. This can
be accomplished using a macro built into the Fiber Patches tab of the Model_Input Excel file
(Figure 20), where user defines the geometry of the cross-section, fiber discretization,
reinforcement size and locations, and assigns the appropriate uniaxial material models to the fibers.

Figure 20 Excel input for defining fiber section geometry and reinforcement.

Next step is to aggregate the shear and torsional behavior with the axial-flexural behavior of
the element, as illustrated in Figure 21. In CEO, this is accomplished in DBE & FBE tab of the
Model_Input Excel file (Figure 22) by assigning appropriate previously defined uniaxial material
models to represent shear and torsional behavior. In addition, the user should define the number
of integration points used along the element length.

CEO software 19 User Manual

 Figure 21 Graphical representation of aggregated section incorporating both shear and flexural
behavior (OpenSees Wiki).

Figure 22 Excel input for defining Aggregator section properties.

Finally, the user assigns the DBEs and/or FBEs in ETABS to desired line elements. This can
be accomplished by defining a frame section in ETABS with a section name DBE_aggTag, for
displacement-based element, or FBE_aggTag, for force-based element, where aggTag represents
a tag of aggregated section defined in the DBE & FBE tab of the Model_Input (Figure 23). Here,
it is important that the naming section aggregator tag (aggTag) matches the tag defined in Excel
for the specified section.

CEO software 20 User Manual

 Figure 23 ETABS menu for defining frame sections.

Figure 24 ETABS menu defining DBE/FBE aggregator tags.

CEO software 21 User Manual

 4.2.2.1 Frame Elements Orientation
The default orientations of local axes (x, y, z) for frame elements is shown in Figure 25. The
orientation of OpenSees local axes x, y, z are consistent with orientations of ETABS local axes 1,
2, 3, respectively.

Figure 25 Designated frame element orientation used for model generation in OpenSees.

Applying orientation of local axes is possible per options shown in the Figure 26.

Figure 26 ETABS local axes orientation options available in CEO for frame elements

CEO software 22 User Manual

 4.2.2.2 Frame Element Rigid End Offset
Rigid end zones (REZ) can be applied for frame elements in OpenSees via “End Length
Offsets” option available in ETABS. Note that REZ can be applied only using the “Define
Lengths” option shown in Figure 27. This option is available for the following types of frame
elements: 1) bar elements (BAR), 2) elastic frame elements (FRAME section in ETABS or
“Custom Section” defined in “Model_Input” file), 3) frame with hinges elements
(FRAMEWHINGES), 4) force-based (FBE) fiber beam-column element, and 5) displacement-
based (DBE) fiber beam-column element.

Figure 27 ETABS rigid end length offset option available in CEO for frame elements

CEO software 23 User Manual

 4.2.3 Area Elements
4.2.3.1 Elastic Plate/Shell Element
To setup an elastic plate/shell element, ETABS area section name must have the following
format: SHELLPLATE_secTag. Where secTag should coincide with Column A of the Elastic
Shell-Plate tab of the Model_Input Excel file (Figure 29).

ETABS section name: ShellPlate_secTag

4-node, 24 DOFs
Example applications:
• Walls
• Slabs/Diaphragms

Figure 28 Elastic plate/shell element model used for walls and diaphragms.

Figure 29 Excel input for defining elastic plate/shell element properties: modulus, thickness,
bending stiffness, shear stiffness.

CEO software 24 User Manual

 4.2.3.2 MVLEM-3D: Flexural Element for RC Walls
Definition of the MVLEM-3D wall element is done in the MVLEM tab of the Model_Input
excel file (Figure 30). MVLEM-3D element is defined by specifying the number of fibers, Poisson
ratio, thickness modifier for the out-of-plane behavior, and tag of the uniaxial material that will
represent the element shear force-deformation behavior (Markers 1 & 2), and assigning parameters
of each fiber (thickness, width, reinforcing ratio, and tags of concrete and steel materials) based
on adopted fiber section discretization (Figure 31).

1 Fiber Section Discretization

2 Out-of-Plane and Shear Material

3 Fiber Section Assignment

Figure 30 Excel input for defining MVLEM-3D element.

Figure 31 Wall cross-section showing fibers of the MVLEM-3D model.

In ETABS, user should define area section named MVLEM_x, where x corresponds to the tag
of the MVLEM defined in the MVLEM tab of the Model_Input excel file.

CEO software 25 User Manual

 4.2.3.1 SFI-MVLEM-3D: Shear-Flexure Interaction Element for RC Walls
Definition of the SFI-MVLEM-3D wall element is done in the SFI-MVLEM tab of the
Model_Input excel file (Figure 32). SFI-MVLEM-3D element is defined by specifying the number
of fibers, Poisson ratio, thickness modifier for the out-of-plane behavior (Marker 1), In addition,
user should assign the following parameters for each fiber based on adopted fiber section
discretization (Figure 33): thickness, width, and tags of 2D RC panel material model FSAM
specified in quadRC tab of the Model_Input.

Figure 32 Excel input for defining SFI-MVLEM fiber section parameters.

1 Fiber Section Discretization Input

Figure 33 Wall cross-section showing fiber section discretization for SFI-MVLEM model.

CEO software 26 User Manual

 4.2.3.2 quadRC material and element
quadRC tab of the Material_Input serves two purposes in CEO: 1) to define the quadRC
material model (a 2D material model for RC based on fixed-crack angle approach) that is used
within the SFI-MVLEM-3D element, and 2) to define the finite-element based quadRC element,
which can be used for nonlinear modeling of RC wall elements that satisfy plane-stress assumption
(e.g., walls and diaphragms). Defining each quadRC material/element is done in the Excel input
file (Figure 34). Note, that is the same section tag (column A) that will be used for the assignment
of fibers when using the SFI-MVLEM approach.

Figure 34 Excel input for defining quad RC element properties: horizontal and vertical
reinforcement, concrete material, and reinforcing ratios.

4.2.3.3 layeredRC element

layeredRC tab of the Material_Input is used to define a layered shell element that can be used
to simulate nonlinear behavior of planar RC wall elements that satisfy plane-stress assumption
(e.g., walls and diaphragms). Defining each layeredRC element requires definition of the following
nD materials: 1) PlaneStressUserMaterial, 2) PlateRebar, and 3) PlateFromPlaneStress, as well
as LayeredShell section. layeredRC tab of the Material_Input allows definition of all mentioned
parameters. Corresponding figure is not provided due to space limitations.

CEO software 27 User Manual

 4.2.3.4 Definition and Assignment of Area Elements
When defining slab or wall sections in ETABS (Figure 35), the required syntax must be
followed for each area element (Figure 36). The section tag, secTag, in ETABS for each element
model must match the corresponding section tag in the Excel input file.

Figure 35 ETABS menu for defining slab and wall sections.

Figure 36 ETABS menu defining ShellPlate, MVLEM, SFI-MVLEM, quadRC, and layeredRC
section tags.

CEO software 28 User Manual

 5. Boundary Conditions and Constraints
5.1 Boundary Conditions
Boundary conditions are defined only in ETABS (Figure 37) and do not require an Excel input
parameter. All boundary conditions are automatically converted into OpenSees by CEO.

Figure 37 ETABS menu for assigning boundary conditions and constraints.

5.2 Constraints
Constraints can be applied to nodes when modelling rigid diaphragms or when node should be
constrained to have equal displacements at selected DOFs. Implementing these constraints is done
in ETABS with the use of Group name assignments (Figure 3). To be recognizable by the CEO,
the naming syntax in Table 2 must be followed.

Table 2 Reference guide for constraint functions available in CEO.

Type ETABS Group Name* OpenSees Recorder Command Description
diaphragm master nodes at all floors with
RIG_DIAPH_MASTERS rigidDiaphragm
rigid diaphragms in ETABS model
slaving displacements of two selected
Constraints nodes for DOFs in x, y, z direction, where i,
EQUALDOF_ijk equalDOF j, k should be spcified as numbers 1
through 6 corresponding to each of the 6
DOFs (up to 6 values can be specified)
* "x" represents a tag of the recorder represented by any string

When defining rigid diaphragms, the user should define and assign rigid diaphragms in ETABS
as they would be defined and assigned for an ETABS model. However, user must define group
named “RIG_DIAPH_MASTERS” and assign one node at each floor as a master node for that
diaphragm. Selection of master node is extremely important when running a pushover analysis,
where pushover load at each floor must be applied at the master node of the diaphragm.

CEO software 29 User Manual

 6. Recorders
Recorders can be used in OpenSees for recording displacement, velocity, accelerations, or
reactions of nodes. They can also be used to record internal forces, stresses, and strains of elements.
Assignment of recorders is done in ETABS by assigning nodes and elements to a group with a
specific name. The naming convention in the provided reference guide (Figure 38) must be
followed. The converter will automatically sort the recorders into their designated bins (nodes, line
elements, area elements).

Figure 38 Reference guide for various node and element recorders.

CEO software 30 User Manual

 7. Loading
Assignment of loads is done in ETABS using the Load Pattern command. Here, the user can
define various load patterns that will be used in OpenSees for various purposes, for example,
gravity load (DEAD), or lateral pushover patterns in x and y directions (Figure 39).

Figure 39 ETABS screen for specifying load patterns - gravity (DEAD), static pushover (PUSHX,
PUSHY).

CEO recognizes the following commands from the Assign drop menu in ETABS:
• Joint loads
o Force
• Frame Loads
o Point
o Distributed (uniform only)
• Shell Loads
o Uniform

CEO software 31 User Manual

 8. Mass
Mass assignment can be done in two ways. First option involves assigning directly nodal mass
at the nodes of the ETABS model using the Assign/Joint/Additional Mass command shown in
Figure 40.

Figure 40 ETABS menu for defining load patterns.

Second option involves using nodal mass calculated and assigned in ETABS, where all mass
assigned at each node based on ETABS Mass Source will be assigned at all nodes of the OpenSees
model. In order to use this option, user should first run the modal analysis in ETABS and then
convert the model. Two important details need to be implemented when using this option in CEO:
1) Lump Lateral Mass at Story Level should be turned off in Define/Mass Source command, and
2) automatic meshing must be turned off for all line and area elements under Assign/Frame/Frame
Auto Mesh Options Assign/Shell/Floor(Wall) Auto Mesh Options.

CEO software 32 User Manual

 9. Analysis
CEO can perform both static and dynamic analysis of an OpenSees model. The user can choose
from a variety of analysis sequences provided by CEO (Figure 41).

Figure 41 CEO screen prompt for selecting type of analysis.

Static
• Gravity
• Displacement-controlled
• Force-controlled
Dynamic
• Modal
• Time history
o Single core
o Multi core

Sequences of the analyses are:

• Gravity
• Gravity + Static Displacement-controlled
• Gravity + Static Force-controlled
• Gravity + Modal
• Gravity + Modal + Dynamic +Modal (to get the period after the ground motion is applied)

After selection of the analysis type, the user will be asked to select the Model_Input file, which
will be used to load analysis settings, as well as load patterns used for gravity and lateral (if
applicable) loads.

CEO software 33 User Manual

 9.1 Gravity Analysis
Application of gravity load is very straightforward in CEO. After selecting the Gravity analysis
option, the user will be asked to select the the Model_Input file with appropriate gravity analysis
settings and gravity load pattern.

9.2 Static Analysis

Input for both displacement-controlled and force-controlled analysis should be defined in the
Static analysis tab of the Model_Input Excel file (Figure 42). The user needs to define the loading
direction, peaks of each static analysis loading sequence, and displacement/force increment used
to reach the peak. For Displacement-Controlled Analysis, peaks refer to peaks of displacement
history applied at control node and increments refer to displacement increments for each loading
sequence. For Force-Controlled Analysis, peaks refer to peak load factors applied to pushover
force pattern, and increments refer to relative increments of selected load pattern [0.0 - 1.0]. It
should be noted that one node (Control Node) should be assigned to ETABS group named
CONTROL_NODE. This node will be used as a reference node in the static analysis.

Figure 42 Excel input for static pushover tests.

CEO software 34 User Manual

 9.3 Dynamic Analysis
Input for dynamic analysis is defined in Dynamic tab of Model_Input Excel file illustrated in
Figure 43. Use should enter path to ground motion input files (including only one column with
acceleration data), as well as name of the ground motion input files (including extension), number
of data points, time step, and scaling factor for each ground motion. Ground motions in any of the
global X, Y, and Z directions can be applied, where the number of applied directions can be either
1, 2, or 3, as demonstrated in Figure 43 for ground motion #1 applied in X and Y directions and
ground motion #2 applied in X direction only.

Figure 43 Excel input for specifying dynamic analysis parameters.

CEO software 35 User Manual

 9.4 Analysis Settings
Settings for all types of analyses (gravity, static, modal, dynamic) can be defined in Settings tab
of the Model_Input Excel file setting, where user can select all of the available OpenSees features
as illustrated in Figure 44.

Figure 44 Excel input for analysis settings.

CEO software 36 User Manual