GSA Essentials

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GSA – Using Analytical Software

• Introduction
• Getting Started
• Structural Model Types
• Information Required
• Input Data
• Realistic Input
• Tutorial example

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Definition of Structural Engineering

• Structural Engineering is the art of designing structures

• to withstand loads that we cannot predict
• using materials whose properties we cannot measure
• by methods of analysis that we cannot prove
• and to do so in a manner that ensures that the public and
client are ignorant of our shortcomings

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GSA - Introduction

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GSA - Introduction

What is GSA?

“GSA has developed from a program for the static

analysis of three-dimensional structures composed
of skeletal elements, to become a complete analysis
package with connection to spreadsheet, CAD and
design programs.”

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GSA - Introduction

What is GSA?
• Written by Oasys for Arup (but also commercially available).
• Based on Stiffness Matrix and Dynamic Relaxation Philosophies
• 3 dimensional - 6 degrees of freedom
• Not material specific

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GSA – Getting Started

Graphics
Gateway Window

Object
Viewer

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GSA – Getting Started

Notes are
very useful
for version
numbers and
memory
prompts

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GSA – Getting Started

Structural Type:
• Space
• Grid
• Plane
• Plane Stress
• Plane Strain
• Axisymmetric

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GSA - Structural Model Types

Space Grid
• 6 degrees of freedom: • 3 degrees of freedom:
• x,y,z translation • z translation
• xx,yy,zz rotation • xx,yy rotation
• Example: Any structural • Example: Floor plate or
with 3D load paths and Bridge Deck where we
loading (Stadia!) are interested in out of
• Note: Most common plane forces and
displacements

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GSA - Structural Model Types

Plane Plane Stress

• 3 degrees of freedom: • 3 degrees of freedom:
• x,z translation • x,y translation
• yy rotation • zz rotation
• Example: This is used for • Example: Any 2D analysis
modelling for example a such as a frame or support
2D frame. system where we are
interested in in plane
forces

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GSA - Structural Model Types

Plane Strain Axisymmetric

• 2 degrees of freedom: • 2 degrees of freedom:
• x,y translation • x,y translation
• no rotation • no rotation
• Example: This is a 2D • Example: A continuous
representation (slice) of problem with an axis of
a long problem such as a rotation such as a
tunnel. The slice is cylindrical tank or vessel
constrained in its section
unlike plane stress

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GSA – Information Required

Model Structure

GSA
INPUT MODEL OUTPUT

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GSA – Information Required

Model Structure

INPUT OUTPUT

• Geometry • Forces

- Nodes • Deflections

- Elements • Stresses

• Properties • Graphics
GSA
- Restraints MODEL
- Materials
• Loads
- Permanent
- Variable

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GSA – Input Data

Sequence
You start to create a model in the following sequence:
• Define the nodes – Nodes are points in space represented
by co-ordinates
• Define the elements - Elements are the items that are
analysed. Their position in space is determined by the
nodes which they are connected to.
• Assign properties – Both nodes and elements have
properties.
• Define the loads – Loads can by applied to both nodes and
elements

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GSA – Input Data

All menus are duplicated in the

Gateway

For simple models follow the order on

the bottom of the main screen

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GSA – Input Data

Method
There are three ways of inputting data into GSA to define
the nodes and elements:

• Manually – inserting data in tabulated format

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GSA – Input Data

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GSA – Input Data

Method
There are three ways of inputting data into GSA to define
the nodes and elements:

• Manually – inserting data in tabulated format

• Sculpting – using the sculpt toolbar you can define the
geometry in the graphics window

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GSA – Input Data

SCULPT TOOLBAR

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GSA – Input Data

Method
There are three ways of inputting data into GSA to define
the nodes and elements:

• Manually – inserting data in tabulated format

• Sculpting – using the sculpt toolbar you can define the
geometry in the graphics window
• Copying – alternatively duplicate existing geometry to
extend the model

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GSA – Input Data

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GSA – Input Data

Properties
• Node Properties
• Restraints
Free Pin Encastre

Six degrees of freedom:

Translational: X Y Z

Rotational: XX YY ZZ

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GSA – Input Data

Properties
- The default constraint axis for
• Node Properties a node is the GLOBAL axis.
• Restraints - An user defined axis can be
• Constraint axis created and used to constrain
a node so it can have support
conditions related to the new
axis.

GSA uses the

right-hand rule to
define axes.

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GSA – Input Data

User Axis
- created to
Global constrain nodes for
Axes section of building
that is at an angle
on plan

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GSA – Input Data

Properties
• Element Properties Main Types:
• Element Type • Beam – bending, torsion and axial
• Bar – axial only
• Tie – tension only (non-linear)
• Strut – compression only (non-
Struts linear)

Other types:
• Links
Beam • Mass
Bar • 2D (Quad 4, Quad 8, Tri 3 and Tri 6)
• Cable
• Spacer

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GSA – Input Data

Properties
• Element Properties - The section property defines
• Element Type the element’s material,
• Section property cross-section, etc

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GSA – Input Data
Properties
- End releases define the
• Element Properties restraints at the end of
• Element Type the element in term of its
• Section property
local axis
• End releases
- As with nodes there are
six degrees of freedom.

Simply
supported
connection

Rotation released about the local yy and zz

axis of the element (indicated by cross-hairs)

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GSA – Input Data - Properties
Z

z'
z x


y 2
• Element Properties
• Element Type
1 Revised
Global Y
Local
• Section property
axis Axis
• End releases
• Orientation X
X

• Orientation is used to alter the

x
local axis of an element.
Z
Default
2
Local
• The element y and z axes are Axis
rotated from their default positions y'
z
about the element x axis by the 
y
Y

orientation angle (Beta). 1

X
X

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GSA – Input Data
Properties
• Element Properties
• Element Type - Alternative to Beta angle
• Section property is to orientate elements to
• End releases a node
• Orientation

ŷ
ŷ ŷ
z ŷ ŷ

x ŷ ŷ
y

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GSA – Input Data

Loads
• Beam Loading
- Beam Load
- Prestress
- Distortion
- Thermal Load

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GSA – Input Data

Loads
• Beam loading
• Gravity

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GSA – Input Data

Loads
• Beam loading
• Gravity
• Node Loading
- Node Loads – Fx, Fy, Fz, Mxx, Myy,
Mzz applied at node in node axis
directions
- Settlement which is a
displacement or rotation applied
at node.
Note that a node should be
restrained in a direction before a
settlement is applied

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GSA – Appropriate Modelling

Model Structure

RUBBISH GSA RUBBISH

IN MODEL OUT

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GSA – Appropriate Modelling

Why did the

columns crack
on site?

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GSA – Appropriate Modelling

If the analysis model doesn’t reflect what’s actually built

in terms of DETAILING then it may be meaningless.

Analysis should never be carried out in a vacuum, oblivious

to the practicalities of construction, which in themselves
may vary from region to region.

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GSA – Appropriate Modelling

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GSA – Appropriate Modelling

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GSA – Appropriate Modelling

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GSA – Appropriate Modelling

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GSA – Appropriate Modelling

Make sure that you design for all the induced forces

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GSA – Appropriate Modelling

• Sleipner A Offshore Platform

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GSA – Appropriate Modelling

• Sleipner A Offshore Platform

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GSA – Appropriate Modelling

• Sleipner A Offshore Platform

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GSA – Appropriate Modelling

Ensure that you model is sufficiently detailed to get

accuracy

Make sure that you model is not over-complicated so that

mistakes are not missed

i.e. Design your model to give you the required results

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K.I.S.S.

• It is easy to make something difficult

• It is difficult to make something easy

“Things should be made as simple as possible,

but no simpler”
Albert Einstein

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