SAP2000 Version 12.0.

0
Copyright Computers and Structures, Inc., 2008

Release Date: 2008-07-15

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SAP2000 V12.0.0 is a major new version of SAP2000 and is only available as a full installation
from CD or from the ftp.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLEASE READ THIS FILE!

It contains important information that is more current than what is in the Manuals.

Contents
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Installation Instructions for SAP2000 Version 12.0.0

File Compatibility with Older Versions
Updating Older Version 11 and Earlier
New Features in SAP2000 Version 12
Notes for Users of Version 11 and Earlier

1. Installation Instructions for SAP2000 Version 12.0.0

The installation instructions are available in three places:
- The SAP2000 Installation Card link on the SAP2000 CD browser.
- A printed document included with the program package.
- In the file SAP_Install_Instructions.pdf in the root folder of the CD.
The instructions include information about the software protection system used and installation
options and instructions. You can choose between a Standalone or Network installation.
For new Network installations, see the System Administrator's Help for more detailed information
about the License Manager and the License Manager Administration program WlmAdmin.exe.
This installation contains Sentinel RMS License Manager 8.1.1. You should install this version to
serve network licenses for SAP2000 Version 12. If you are currently running a version of
SentinelLM that is older than 8.0.5 then you must install version 8.1.1. Uninstall the older version
prior to installing this version. IMPORTANT! All commuter licenses should be checked in before
uninstalling the old version. Note that Sentinel RMS License Manager 8.1.1 will recognize older
licenses for Computer and Structures products. Please refer to the SAP2000 Installation Card or
the SAP_Install_Instructions file for information on how to do this.

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For Network installations you can create a text file, Level.txt, and put the Program Level in it.
Program Level should be one of the following:
BASIC/PLUS/ADVANCED/BASICC/PLUSC/ADVANCEDC/ADVANCEDI.
Save this file to the License Manager sub-folder of the SAP2000 folder. This file will cause the
program to find the license faster. Note that this file will be included when a new license is sent.
If you experience problems with the license please refer to the appropriate License Trouble
Shooting Guide... located in the SAP2000 folder.

2. File Compatibility with Older Versions

SAP2000 Version 12.0.0 can open model files (*.SDB) from older versions of SAP2000, as well as
import older SAP2000 database files (*.S2K, *.$2K, *.XLS, and *.MDB.) Note that once you save
or run these models in Version 12, they will not be usable by older versions of the program, so you
may want to save them under a new name after opening or importing them in Version 12.

3. Updating Older Version 11 and Earlier

SAP2000 Version 12.0.0 is a full installation and can coexist with older versions of SAP2000.

4. New Features in SAP2000 Version 12

SAP2000 Version 12.0.0 is a major new version. Significant new features added since Version
11.0.0 include the following:
MODEL-ALIVE Option
True to our tradition, we are once again advancing the state-of-the-art of numerical analysis
with the introduction of the Model-Alive feature in SAPFIRE ~ CSI's Analytical
Engine. Taking advantage of current advances in numerical methods and hardware
technology, this option provides instantaneous re-analysis and updating of the displays
following any change the user makes to the model.
Multi-Processor / Multi-Threading Analysis Solvers
Fast, fast, fast analysis times and unmatched solution capacity
New 64 bit multi-processing/multi-threading algorithms
BrIM (Bridge Information Modeler) Enhancements
Design for AASHTO LRFD 2007 added for concrete box girder bridges
o Checks include, shear, flexure and principal-stress
Additional AASHTO, Caltrans and JTG vehicles are now available
BrIM allows temperature loading including nonlinear thermal gradients
Enhanced BrIM wizard with more detail and guidance

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Templates now have a quick BrIM option for instantaneous bridge model generation
Enhanced and simplified span definitions
Improved abutments with separate bearings, abutment seat and soil properties
Improved bents, allowing single or dual sets of bearings
Superstructure may be continuous or discontinuous over bents
Enhanced control of location, alignment, and properties of bearings
Enhanced control over restrainers at abutments, bents, and hinges

Staged Construction Enhancements

Automatic generation of staged-construction stages using standard Gantt charts
Stage construction groups may now be defined as part of the bridge object
Control is by individual objects as well as by groups
Frame end release assignments can be changed
Property modifiers for frames, tendons and shells can be changed
Section properties for frames, tendons and shells can be changed
Section Designer Enhancements
Moment curvature curve and PMM interaction surface for arbitrary fiber sections
Enhanced control over material properties, including Mander model for all sections
Graphical User Interface allows for overlapping shapes and improved Boolean operations
Properties for concrete-only sections, steel encased sections and steel-only sections
Properties for CalTrans bridge sections, with or without prestressing tendons
Enhanced performance and efficiency
New Analysis and Design Code Related Enhancements
Hyperstatic analysis for secondary effects of prestressing forces
Soil (area) springs can now be tension-only or compression-only springs
AISC 360-05/IBC2006 steel-frame design code, with seismic provisions
Direct Analysis Method of AISC 360-05 code:
o Includes small P-delta effect
o Automated inclusion of stiffness modification factors, with user control
o Design-decision guidance on when Direct Analysis Method is needed
CAN/CSA-S16-01 steel-frame design code, including seismic provisions
Enhanced design of eccentrically braced frames for AISC 360-05/IBC 2006
Canadian NBCC 2005 wind loads, seismic loads, and response-spectrum functions
Load combinations can be converted to nonlinear load cases for advanced design
Improved automated load combinations for design
Enhanced display of failure modes for steel-frame design
Open structure wind loading for the API 4F 2000 code
Automated, Predefined and Customized Report Generation
Quick and easy generation of final printed reports with complete user control
Cover sheet identifying project, user and company
Formatted tables of model definition, analysis and design results

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Typical graphical displays of the model

Output sheets of detailed design information

Other Enhancements to the Graphical User Interface (GUI)

User created documents now can be accessed through the SAP2000 Help menu
Export of geometry and element connectivity to CSI Perform-3D
Enhanced import of input files from STAAD.Pro, GTSTRUDL, NASTRAN, etc.
DXF export for finite element stress contour arrows for 2D and 3D views
Export structural model data for use with soil-structure interaction product, SASSI
Faster graphical user interface and enhanced OpenGL graphics
Enhanced Open Application Programming Interface (OAPI)
The OAPI for SAP2000 provides developers of products for CADD and 3D modeling
seamless and efficient access to all of the sophisticated analysis and design technology of
SAP2000. The OAPI can now be used in two different ways. First, OAPI tools developed
by third parties can be accessed by the SAP2000 GUI as external plug-ins. Second, using
the OAPI, third-party developers can transfer model information to and from SAP2000,
trigger the SAP2000 execution and extract analysis and design information from SAP2000,
all from within their application. The OAPI feature is now free with every SAP2000
license.
Documentation
Help updated
Analysis manual updated
Tutorials updated
Design manuals updated
Verification Manual updated
Automated lateral loads manual updated
Watch & Learn Movies updated
API manual updated

5. Notes for Users of Version 11 and Earlier

If you are upgrading from a previous version of SAP2000 (V11 or earlier), you should be
aware that there has been a significant change in nomenclature regarding loading:
o The term load pattern replaces load case of previous versions
o The term load case replaces analysis case of previous versions
o The term load combination has not changed
These changes are being made consistently in all future releases of CSi products. These are
simply changes in terminology; the concepts and behavior remain the same, and models
from previous versions will open in V12 without any action required by you.

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The choice of additional solvers, changes in the default behavior of hinges with strength
loss and the change in how cover to reinforcement is specified may cause some analysis or
design results to change slightly from earlier versions of SAP2000 to SAP2000 Version 12.
These changes are described in more detail in the ReleaseNotes.pdf.

Settings files that used to be stored in the Windows folder have been moved to the local
application folder \Computers and Structures under Documents and Settings for each user.
These files include the SAP0000.INI file, the .TB3 files that store changes to the menus and
toolbars, and the default database table format files.

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