SAP2000

Total time: 6-8 weeks at 3 hours/day.

Core philosophy: Define -> Draw -> Assign -> Analyze -> Design.

Phase 1: Foundation & Interface (Weeks 1-2)

Day	20% Feature	Why It Matters	Hands-On Task
Day 1	Interface Orientation	Understand main panes.	Identify Model Explorer, Properties, Displays.
Day 2	Units & Preferences	Units must be correct upfront.	Set kN, m, C. Choose design code.
Day 3	Grid System	Define structural geometry.	Create 4x4 grid and story levels.
Day 4	Material Definitions	Realistic properties.	Define concrete, steel, rebar.
Day 5	Frame Sections	Proper member properties.	Add W18x35, W12x65, 20x20 section.
Day 6	Drawing Objects	Build basic models.	Draw a simple portal frame.
Day 7	Project: Simple 2D Frame	Complete first model.	2-bay, 2-story frame with pinned base.

Phase 2: Loading & Combinations (Weeks 3-4)

Day	20% Feature	Why It Matters	Hands-On Task
Day 8	Load Patterns	Separate dead/live/wind.	Create DEAD, LIVE, WINDX, WINDY.
Day 9	Loads to Frames	Distributed and point loads.	Apply DEAD and LIVE to beams.
Day 10	Area Loads	Uniform loads to frames.	Create slab and apply 5 kN/m2.
Day 11	Load Combinations	Manual understanding.	Create 1.4D, 1.2D+1.6L, 1.2D+1.0L+1.0W.
Day 12	Auto Load Combinations	Code-based combos.	Enable auto combos for ASCE 7.
Day 13	Wind Load Generation	Auto wind loading.	Define exposure and generate wind loads.
Day 14	Project: Fully Loaded Frame	Complete load setup.	Apply all loads and verify combos.

Phase 3: Analysis & Results (Weeks 5-6)

Day	20% Feature	Why It Matters	Hands-On Task
Day 15	Running Analysis	Check options and warnings.	Run linear static, review log.
Day 16	Deformed Shape	Behavior verification.	View deformed shape with scale factor.
Day 17	Force Diagrams	Moments and shear.	Display moment and shear diagrams.
Day 18	Section Cuts	Base shear and core forces.	Create section cut and review forces.
Day 19	Joint Reactions	Foundation forces.	Display joint reactions at supports.
Day 20	Display Tables	Export to Excel.	Open tables and copy member forces.
Day 21	Project: Results Summary	Document results.	Create PDF with deflections, moments, tables.

Phase 4: Design & Code-Checking (Weeks 7-8)

Day	20% Feature	Why It Matters	Hands-On Task
Day 22	Steel Design Preferences	Correct design method.	Select AISC 360-16 LRFD.
Day 23	Steel Design Groups	Efficient checks.	Group beams and columns.
Day 24	Run Steel Design	Check utilization.	Review PMM interaction ratios.
Day 25	Interactive Design	Optimized sections.	Auto-select lightest passing sections.
Day 26	Concrete Beams	Flexure and shear design.	Review required rebar and stirrups.
Day 27	Concrete Columns	Interaction checks.	Review interaction ratio and rebar.
Day 28	Project: Designed Structure	Complete design cycle.	All members pass 0.3-0.9 utilization.

Phase 5: Advanced & Integration (Weeks 9-10)

Day	20% Feature	Why It Matters	Hands-On Task
Day 29	Modal Analysis	Dynamic behavior.	Review first 3 modes and periods.
Day 30	Response Spectrum	Seismic loading.	Define spectrum and run analysis.
Day 31	Time History Analysis	Specific earthquake records.	Import accelerogram and analyze.
Day 32	P-Delta Analysis	Second-order effects.	Compare with first-order analysis.
Day 33	Pushover Analysis	Nonlinear capacity.	Define hinges and review capacity curve.
Day 34	Import from DXF	CAD to model.	Import DXF as SAP2000 model.
Day 35	Export to Excel	Reporting dashboards.	Export forces to Excel and summarize.
Day 36	Parametric Modeling (API)	Automation with scripts.	Create a simple model via API.
Day 37	Project: 3D Steel Building	Full steel workflow.	Model, load, analyze, design.
Day 38	Project: Concrete Shear Wall	Wall design and drift.	Model and design walls and frames.
Day 39	Bridge Modeling	Moving loads.	Create bridge model and influence lines.
Day 40	Final Capstone	Mixed structure.	Full loads, seismic, design, report.

Skill	Mastered?	Notes
Grids & Story Definition	☐
Materials & Sections	☐
Load Patterns (D, L, W, S)	☐
Load Combinations (manual + auto)	☐
Area Loads (to frames)	☐
Linear Static Analysis	☐
Results: Deformed Shape, Diagrams, Tables	☐
Section Cuts & Reactions	☐
Steel Frame Design (LRFD/ASD)	☐
Concrete Beam Design	☐
Concrete Column Design	☐
Modal Analysis	☐
Response Spectrum (seismic)	☐
P-Delta Effects	☐
Import/Export (DXF, Excel)	☐
Basic API/Scripting	☐

Aspect	ROBOT	SAP2000
Primary Market	Europe, International	Americas, Asia, Global
Code Coverage	Eurocodes	ACI, AISC, also Eurocodes
Learning Curve	Modal interface	Single window
Concrete Design	Detailed rebar output	Strong, less visual
Steel Design	Optimization	Interactive optimization
Auto Combinations	Yes	Yes
API/Programming	Limited	Excellent OAPI
Import from CAD	Good (DXF)	Excellent (DXF, DWG)
Price	Generally lower	Generally higher
Typical Use	Buildings, bridges	Complex structures

Month	Focus
Month 1	Word, PowerPoint, Canva
Month 2	Excel
Month 3	AutoCAD
Month 4	ROBOT (Phases 1-2)
Month 5	ROBOT (Phases 3-4) + SAP2000 (Phases 1-2)
Month 6	SAP2000 (Phases 3-5)
Month 7	Capstone: Design in both, compare results

Remember: "The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways."

Benjamin Franklin said, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

Robert Greene noted, "The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways."