ervenka Consulting s.r.o.

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ATENA Program Documentation

Part 4-1

Tutorial for Program ATENA 2D

Written by:
Jan ervenka

Prague, June 2, 2015

Trademarks:
ATENA is registered trademark of Vladimir Cervenka.
Microsoft and Microsoft Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Copyright 2000-2015 by ervenka Consulting s.r.o.

CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1

2. STARTING PROGRAM ............................................................................................. 3

3. PRE-PROCESSING.................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Material Parameters ....................................................................................................................... 8
3.3 Geometrical Joints ........................................................................................................................ 14
3.4 Geometrical Lines ......................................................................................................................... 17
3.5 Geometrical Macro-elements ...................................................................................................... 19
3.6 Mesh Generation........................................................................................................................... 24
3.7 Bar-reinforcement ........................................................................................................................ 26
3.8 Supports and Actions ................................................................................................................... 29
3.9 Loading History and Solution Parameters ................................................................................. 33
3.10 Monitoring Points......................................................................................................................... 37

4. FE NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS................................................................................... 41
4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 41
4.2 Starting Analysis........................................................................................................................... 42
4.3 Interactive Window ...................................................................................................................... 43
4.4 Adding New Load Steps ............................................................................................................... 44

5. POST-PROCESSING ............................................................................................... 45
5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 45
5.2 Post-processing Window ............................................................................................................. 45
5.3 Load-displacement Diagrams ..................................................................................................... 50
5.4 Text Output ................................................................................................................................... 51
5.5 Analysis Log Files.......................................................................................................................... 52
5.6 Cuts ................................................................................................................................................ 53
5.7 Diagrams of Internal Forces......................................................................................................... 56

6. CONCLUSIONS ...................................................................................................... 59

7. PROGRAM DISTRIBUTORS AND DEVELOPERS ................................................... 61

LITERATURE .................................................................................................................. 62

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial i

1. INTRODUCTION

This tutorial provides a basic introduction to the usage of the program ATENA 2D and it
is specifically targeted to ATENA 2D beginners. This tutorial contains a step by step
explanation how to perform a non-linear analysis on an example problem of a reinforced
beam without smeared reinforcement. The geometrical and material properties correspond
to the experimental setup by Leonhard in 1962. More details about the problem or
experiment can be also obtained from the original report [5] or from the program developer
or distributor.
The step by step demonstration is performed on an example of simply supported beam,
which is loaded by two loads as it is shown in Figure 1. The problem is symmetric around
its vertical axis, therefore, only one symmetric half of the beam will be analyzed.
The steps necessary for the data preparation, non-linear analysis and post-processing are
depicted on subsequent figures, which show the computer screen for each step and user
action. There is always also a short description for each figure. In the post-processing stage
only some basic post-processing methods are described. ATENA offers many options for
viewing results from FE non-linear analysis. These options can be easily accessed from the
post-processing window by self-explanatory buttons and toolbars. For more details, it is
recommended to consult the ATENA 2D user's manual or the hotline desk at the program
distributor or developer.

Figure 1: Geometry of the structure.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 1

2
2. STARTING PROGRAM
The program can be conveniently started from Start | Programs menu on your computer
desktop. You can double click any .CC2 model file to open it in ATENA 2D (making use
of the extension association in the system). Alternatively, you can also directly execute the
program CCAtena2D2_en.exe (english version; run CCAtena2D2_cs.exe for the czech
version) from the directory where the program is installed.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 3

4
3. PRE-PROCESSING

3.1 Introduction
This chapter explains the basic steps, which are to be performed in order to define a
complete geometrical and then a finite element model for non-linear FE analysis by
ATENA. The purpose of the geometrical model is to describe the geometry of the
structure, its material properties and boundary conditions. The analytical model for the
finite element analysis will be created during the pre-processing with the help of the fully
automated mesh generator. The geometrical model is created in the following steps. First,
geometrical joints are defined. These joints are later connected into boundary lines. It is
possible to create straight, arc or circular lines. The subsequent step is to define macro-
elements or regions, by specifying a list of boundary lines, which surround the macro-
element.
Before starting the definition of the geometrical model it is a good idea to introduce the
graphical user interface of ATENA 2D pre-processor. The pre-processing window is
shown in the subsequent Figure 2.

Main Menu

Button for view Combo box for display Miscellanou

settings of supports and loads s Toolbars

Toolbar for graphical

input and editing.

Selection of active
load-case
Main view window containing the
created geometrical and FE model.
Access tree for data
definition

Tables for data input and modification.

Table for the active item in the data access tree is shown.

Figure 2: Graphical user interface of ATENA 2D pre-processor.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 5

ATENA 2D contains four main toolbars:

File toolbar:

New Open Save Text Graphical

problem file file output output

Solution toolbar:

Mesh Non-linear Pre- Post-processing

generation finite element processing
solution

Zoom and view toolbar:

Previous zoom

Zoom in Zoom out Zoom Move Zoom in Zoom out View

at mouse at mouse window around around all
location location center center

6
Selection toolbar:

Select Select bar Select Invert selection

joints reinforcement by all objects of the
crossing selected type

Select Select Select by Selection mode

lines macro- skewed
elements rectangle add, remove, invert

Select Select Select Partial Deselect

moment cuts by selection all items of
lines clicking on/off selected type

Exit Select Select by Select all Deselect all

selection openings rectangle objects of selected
mode selected type objects

After examination of the user interface layout, it is possible to start with the definition of
the geometrical model of the analyzed structure. It is a good practice to provide a short
description of the problem to be analyzed. In ATENA 2D this can be done be selecting the
General data item in the data access tree. This opens the following table in the table
window.

Figure 3: General data table shows general information about the structure.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 7

Figure 4: The editing dialog for general data appears after selecting the Edit button from the General data
table.

3.2 Material Parameters

Next step should be the definition of material groups and material properties. Selecting the
item Materials from the data access tree opens the Materials table.

Figure 5: The Materials table, from which new materials can be added or existing materials can be modified
or removed.

Clicking the Add button on the material table window creates a new material. For the
current problem it is necessary to define three material types: one plane stress elastic
material for the steel plates at support and loading points, concrete material for the beam
and reinforcement material.

Figure 6: Selection of plane stress elastic isotropic material for the steel plates.

8
Figure 7: The dialog for the definition of material properties for the steel plates.

Figure 8: Selection of material model for the bar reinforcement.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 9

Figure 9: The dialog for the definition of reinforcement material parameters. The bi-linear elastic-perfectly
plastic stress-strain diagram is selected for this problem.

Figure 10: Selection of SBETA material model for the concrete beam. The SBETA model corresponds to the
material formulation, which was implemented in the program SBETA. SBETA was a previous DOS version of
ATENA.

Figure 11: Default values of material parameters are generated based on the cube strength of concrete. For this
case, the cube strength should be 33.5 MPa.

10
Figure 12: The dialog window for the definition of basic properties for SBETA material. The parameters were
generated based on the concrete cube strength. The tensile strength should be edited to 1.64 MPa for the
Leonhard's beam.

Figure 13: The dialog window for the tensile properties for SBETA material. The fracture energy should be
edited to 5.5e-5MN/m.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 11

Figure 14: The dialog window for the compressive properties of SBETA material.

Figure 15: The dialog window for the shear properties of SBETA material.

Figure 16: The dialog window for the miscellaneous properties of SBETA material.

12
Figure 17: The three materials, which were defined previously, can be viewed or modified from the Material
table window.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 13

3.3 Geometrical Joints
Next step in the input data preparation should be the definition of geometrical joints. The
geometrical joints will be later connected to geometrical lines and macro-elements (i.e.
regions). Selecting the appropriate item (i.e. Joints) in the access data tree can start the
definition of geometrical joints. After that it is possible to continue in two ways: either by
selecting the button , which will be followed by mouse picking at new joint locations,
or by clicking the Add button in the Joints table window.

Figure 18: The dialog for specifying the coordinates and properties for the newly created joints.

Table 1 contains the coordinates for the geometrical joints, which are necessary to fully
define the geometry of the Leonhard's shear beam.

14
Table 1: Coordinates of the geometrical joints.

Joint Num. Coordinate x [m] Coordinate y [m]

1 0.0000 0.0000
2 0.0000 0.3200
3 0.2500 -0.0300
4 0.2500 0.0000
5 0.3000 -0.0300
6 0.3500 -0.0300
7 0.3500 0.0000
8 1.0725 0.3200
9 1.0725 0.3500
10 1.1100 0.3500
11 1.1475 0.3500
12 1.1475 0.3200
13 1.2750 0.0000
14 1.2750 0.3200

In case a typing mistake is made during the input of coordinates, it is possible to edit
wrong geometrical joints. There are two possibilities to access joint coordinates and other
properties.
The first possibility is to use the Joints table window. In this case, the geometrical joint to
be edited is selected by double-clicking on it in the table or using the Edit button.
The other possibility is to select the joint in the window containing the view of the
structure. In this method, the Joint item in the data access tree should be highlighted, and
the edit button must be selected from the toolbar for graphical input and editing. Then
geometrical joint properties can be modified just by clicking at an appropriate joint. The
same philosophy can be used to edit other geometrical entities as lines, macro-elements
and reinforcement bars.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 15

 Use this button to
scale the view
such that the joints
fill the whole
window

Figure 19: The program window after the definition of all geometrical joints.

Zoom to fit
button

Figure 20: The program window after the selection of the zoom to fit button.

16
3.4 Geometrical Lines
After the definition of the geometrical joints, it is possible to proceed with the definition of
geometrical lines, which will connect the previously specified joints.

Figure 21: The definition of geometrical lines begins by selecting the Line item in the data access tree. The
graphical definition of geometrical lines starts by clicking the button .

If needed spring
support can be
added along
lines.

If needed mesh
refinement around
lines can be selected.

Figure 22: The line prototype dialog box appears after clicking the button . In this dialog a mesh
refinement method or line springs can be specified. All subsequently created lines will use this set of prototype
properties.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 17

Figure 23: In the graphical mode, a geometrical line is defined by first selecting a line beginning and a line end
joint by mouse. The order of end points is not important in ATENA.

Figure 24: Program display after the definition of the first boundary line.

18
Figure 25: The program display after the definition of all geometrical lines.

3.5 Geometrical Macro-elements

After the definition of geometrical lines, the next step is to connect these lines to form
regions. In ATENA 2D regions are called macro-elements. The regions can be again
defined in two ways: either from the Macro-element table window by selecting the
button Edit and by providing a list of boundary lines, or graphically using the mouse to
select the boundary lines for macro-elements.
The second and more convenient approach starts by highlighting the item Macro-
elements in the data access tree (see Figure 26). Then the button should be selected.
After that a dialog window, which is shown in Figure 27, appears for the specification of
macro-element properties. These properties will be used in the subsequently created
regions. We will start with the definition of regions for the steel plates that are located at
the loading point and at the vertical supports. Mouse clicking selects lines that form a
macro-element. It is possible to note that the shape of the mouse pointer changes when it is
close to a particular line.

The button can be used to edit macro-element properties. The button is for
removing macro-elements, and the buttons and for getting information and
setting new prototype properties respectively.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 19

Figure 26: Program display at the beginning of the macro-element definition.

20
 quad-, triangular or mixed
mesh can be selected here.

This value specifies the

requested element size for
automatic mesh generation

A material model for the new

macro-elements

Element type for quadrilateral

elements

(a)

(b)
Figure 27: The dialog window, which appears after the selection of the button from the toolbar for
graphical input and editing. This dialog is used for the definition of macro-element prototype, the properties of
which will be used for the subsequently created macro-elements. In this case we will start with the definition of
regions (i.e. macro-elements) for the supporting steel plates. The mesh size of 4.4cm (a) gives 8 elements per
thickness, for DEMO version you can run with 8cm (b) to prevent exceeding the limited number of elements.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 21

Figure 28: Selection of boundary lines for first macro-element representing the steel plate at the vertical
support.

Figure 29: Program display after the first steel plate is defined and during the process of creating the second
steel plate, which is located at the point of load application.

22
After the definition of macro-elements for the steel plates, it is necessary to change the
macro-element prototype properties, since for the beam the concrete material is more
suitable than the elastic isotropic one. Clicking the button changes the prototype
properties.

Figure 30: The dialog for changing the macro-element prototype properties for the beam region, where
concrete material model should be used.

Figure 31: The program display after the definition of the last macro-element with the concrete material.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 23

3.6 Mesh Generation
After the definition of macro-elements is completed it is possible to start an automatic
mesh generation. The automatic mesh generation is executed using the button . The
mesh generator in ATENA 2D is fully automatic. Based on element sizes that are defined
for each macro-element a finite element mesh is generated automatically. The created
mesh size can be controlled by local refinements around geometrical lines and joints. It is
useful to note that when the generator recognizes that the macro-element is composed of
four edges with same number of divisions along the opposite edges, it attempts to generate
a mesh using the mapping technique. This feature can be useful in some cases when nice
and uniform meshes are required. This feature of the mesh generator, however, is not
exploited in this example, and we rely on the capabilities of the fully automated meshing.

24
 (a)

(b)
Figure 32: Generated finite element mesh using the element size of 0.044m (a) and 0.08 m (b).

3.6.1 Notes On Meshing

The finite element mesh quality has a very important influence on the quality of the
analysis results, the speed, and memory requirements. Refining only the important parts
can save a lot of processor time and disk space.
A bad mesh, like a single layer of volume elements in a region where bending plays a
significant role, can produce very wrong results see the "Mesh Study" example in the
ATENA Engineering Example Manual. A minimum of 4-6 elements per thickness is
recommended for at least qualitative results in bending.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 25

3.7 Bar-reinforcement
In the next step reinforcing bars will be defined. It should be noted that reinforcement bars
can be defined any time during the input data preparation. It is not necessary to wait till the
macro-elements are defined and mesh is generated. The reinforcement bar definition starts
by highlighting the Bar reinforcement item in the data access tree (see Figure 33). Then
it is again possible to define the bar geometry by mouse or by numerical values. The
graphical input can be activated using the button .
In this example the numerical input is used, and it is started by the Edit button in the Bar
reinforcement table window.

Use these buttons for graphical input and editing.

This button starts the numerical input

of reinforcing bars.

Figure 33: The program window at the beginning of the reinforcement bar definition.

In this example, there is only one reinforcing bar along the bottom side of the beam. The
bar distance from the beam bottom surface is 0.05 m. In reality, this bar models two bars
with diameter of 26 mm. The steps necessary to create a new reinforcement bar in ATENA
2D are documented in the subsequent figures.

26
 Geometric non-linearity
can be selected here.

Figure 34: The dialog for the definition of reinforcement bars contains two property sheets. The sheet
Properties is used for the definition of material model and reinforcement cross-sectional area.

Click Add button

to define the coordinates
of the bar beginning.

Figure 35: The sheet Topology is used for the definition of bar geometry. A reinforcement bar is composed of
segments, and each segment can be a line, arc or a circle.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 27

 Select segment type Line, and then define the end point coordinates

Figure 36: This figure shows the definition of the bar end point.

Figure 37: The program display after the definition of the reinforcement bar.

28
3.8 Supports and Actions
This section describes the definition of supports and loads for our example problem.
The analyzed beam is supported at the bottom steel plate in the vertical direction. Since we
are analyzing only a symmetric half of the beam, it is necessary to enforce the axis of
symmetry along the line 5. Horizontal displacements along this line should be equal to
zero.
The beam is loaded at the top steel plate. We are interested in determining the maximal
load-carrying capacity of the beam, which means we want to be able to trace the structural
response also in the post-peak regime. The easiest method to accomplish this is by loading
the beam by prescribed displacements at the top steel plate. It is possible to apply the
loading by vertical forces, which will be increased in each load step. In order to be able to
go into post-peak, advanced non-linear solution strategies such as Arc-length method
would be necessary. Such techniques are available in ATENA 2D, but they will not be
used in this example, where Newton-Raphson method and displacement load control is
sufficient.
A loading history in ATENA 2D is defined in analogy to previous version SBETA. This
means that first load cases are defined, and then they are combined together to form a
loading history for an analyzed structure.
For this example, two load cases are defined: one containing the vertical and horizontal
supports, and second with the prescribed deformations at the top steel plate.

Figure 38: The load-case definition starts by highlighting the Load-cases item in the data access tree and
clicking the Add button in the Load cases table.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 29

Figure 39: The first load case will contain the horizontal and vertical supports.

Figure 40: The second load case will contain the prescribed deformation at the top steel plate.

Figure 41: The list of created load-cases in the Load cases table.

30
 Active load case selection

Figure 42: An appropriate active load case must be selected before the definition of supports. Supports should
be in the load case 1.

(2) Choose joint and (3) Choose

line selection mode selection

(1) Highlight
Joint item

(4) Select joint (5) Click

5 for support Replace button
application and set fixed in
Y direction

Figure 43: The definition of the vertical support at the bottom steel plate.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 31

 (2) Select
line 5 for
support
application
(1) Highlight
Line item in the
data access tree

(3) Click Replace

button and specify
fixed support in x
direction.

Figure 44: The definition of horizontal support along the line 5.

(2) Deselect all previously

(1) Select load selected entities!!!!
case 2

(4) Select
joint 10 for
the load
(3) Highlight
application
item Joint

(5) Click Replace and

define direction and
displacement value

Figure 45: The definition of the prescribed displacement at the top steel plate in load case 2.

32
3.9 Loading History and Solution Parameters
This section describes the definition of loading history for the analysis of Leonhardt's
shear beam. The loading history consists of load steps. Each load step is defined as a
combination of load cases, which had been defined previously. Each load step contains
also a definition of solution parameters, which define solution methods that are to be used
during the load steps. ATENA 2D contains a standard set of solution parameters. The
standard solution parameters can be examined in the table of Solution parameters. This
table appears in the table window after highlighting the Solution Parameters item in the
data access tree.

Figure 46: The program display with the table of solution parameters. Standard solution parameters can be
examined by clicking the button Show. New set of solution parameters can be created using the button Add.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 33

Figure 47: The first property sheet for the new set of solution parameters for Leonhardt's beam analysis.

Figure 48: The second property sheet for the new set of solution parameters for Leonhardt's beam analysis.

34
Figure 49: The third property sheet for the new set of solution parameters Conditional Break Criteria.

Figure 50: The table with the newly created solution parameters.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 35

Figure 51: Load steps are specified using the button Add from the table of Analysis steps. This table appears in
the table window after highlighting the Analysis steps item in the data access tree.

Figure 52: Each step will be composed of load cases 1 and 2. The multiplier 3 will be used to multiply the applied
actions and the newly created solution parameters will be used during the load steps.

Figure 53: The Analysis steps table after the definition of twenty load steps with the above parameters. It is
possible to add more load steps later during the analysis.

36
3.10 Monitoring Points
During non-linear analysis it is useful to monitor forces, displacements or stresses in the
model. The monitored data can provide important information about the state of the
structure. For instance from monitoring of applied forces it is possible to determine if the
maximal load was reached or not. Monitoring points can be defined by highlighting the
Monitoring points item in the data access tree. Then it is again possible to use graphical
or alpha-numerical specification of the monitoring point location. The graphical input is
activated by the button , and follows by the selection of the exact location by mouse.
The alpha-numerical input starts by the button Add from the table of Monitoring points.
For this example, the first monitoring point should be added near the joint where the
prescribed displacements are applied. The second component (i.e. y direction) of nodal
applied forces should be monitored at this point. It is not necessary to define a location
exactly at the finite element node. The program automatically selects the closest FE node.
In case monitoring at integration points is required, the closest finite element integration
point is selected.
The second monitoring point should be located at the middle of the beam near its bottom
surface, where the largest vertical displacements can be expected. The second component
(i.e. y-displacement) of nodal displacements should be monitored at this location.
These two monitoring points will allow us to monitor the load-displacement curve during
the non-linear finite element analysis. It makes it possible to see the changes of action
forces and displacement at each load step and even in each iteration. The program display
after the definition of the monitoring points is shown in Figure 56.

Figure 54: The definition of the first monitoring point.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 37

Figure 55: The dialog window for the definition of the second monitoring point.

Figure 56: The program display after the definition of monitoring points.

38
 This buttons returns to
the view of the whole
structure.

This button activates

the zoom rectangle

Figure 57: The way, in which the program selects the closest node for monitoring becomes more apparent after
zooming at the middle section of the beam. The button returns the view to the state when the whole
structure is displayed.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 39

40
4. FE NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS

4.1 Introduction
This section describes the process of running a non-linear finite element analysis of the
Leonhardt beam using the data that have been prepared in the previous sections of this
tutorial.
Before finite element analysis it may be useful and interesting to view the finite element
mesh numbering. The finite element model numbers can be displayed through the view
setting button , which appears at the left top corner of the view window. This actions
opens a dialog window (see Figure 58) that can be use to select the data to be displayed in
the view window. Among others it is possible to turn on/off numbering of finite elements,
nodes or geometrical entities, turn on/off the display of reinforcement bars or monitoring
points.

Figure 58: The dialog box for activating the display of finite element node and element numbers.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 41

Figure 59: The finite element mesh along with node and element numbers. The size of characters can be
modified from the menu item Options | Settings.

4.2 Starting Analysis

The finite element analysis is started using the button . After clicking this button an
initialization dialog window appears on the computer screen. This dialog window is shown
in Figure 60, and it can be used to select the load step when the analysis will be
terminated and data to be displayed in the L-D diagram. In addition, the load steps can be
specified, in which results should be saved, in this dialog. Please note that it is not possible
to perform a post-processing for the steps, in which the results were not saved.

Figure 60: The dialog window before the finite element analysis.

42
4.3 Interactive Window
After the button Analyse in the dialog, which is shown in Figure 60 is selected, the actual
finite element analysis is started. The analysis progress can be monitored using the
interactive window that is shown in Figure 61.

Figure 61: The interactive window for monitoring the progress of non-linear analysis.

Figure 62: The interactive window after selecting a different format of the L-D diagram. The L-D diagram in this
figure shows the iterative changes of the monitored quantities.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 43

4.4 Adding New Load Steps
After the first 20 load steps are completed it is possible to specify additional 20 load steps.
In order to define additional load steps it is necessary first to switch to the pre-processing
mode using the button . After the specified steps are completed the program
automatically enters the post-processing mode. It is necessary to switch into the input
mode before new steps can be defined.
The new load steps are defined in analogy to the process described in Section 3.9 by
adding new analysis steps in the Analysis steps table.

Figure 63: The dialog box for the new analysis steps. Same properties are used as in Section 3.9.

Figure 64: The table with the analysis steps after the definition of additional 20 steps.

After the definition of new load steps, the analysis can be restarted again by clicking the
button .

44
5. POST-PROCESSING

5.1 Introduction
After the finite element analysis is completed or terminated, the program automatically
enters into the post-processing mode. The post-processing can be entered also by clicking
the button . This action is meaningful only after the analysis has been performed,
otherwise there would be no results to visualize.

5.2 Post-processing Window

The layout of the post-processing window is shown in Figure 65. The first step in post-
processing is to select the analysis step (i.e. load step), from which the results are
requested. The program loads the data for the requested load step into the computer
memory and fills in appropriately the lists of available output quantities. The type of
analysis and used material models determines the available output data.

Select load step, which results are to be visualized.

Select scalar data for rendering, contour areas or iso-

lines

Figure 65: The post-processing window containing contour areas, cracks and reinforcement stresses for
the last load step 40.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 45

Figure 66: The display of reinforcement bar stresses and cracks is activated by clicking an appropriate label in
the toolbar along the left side of the program window.

Select display of principal strain vectors and

values.

Figure 67: The post-processing window with rendering and principal vectors of maximal principal strains for the
last load step 40.

46
 The zoom button can be used to display
a detailed picture of a critical part of
the structure

Figure 68: The post-processing window with zoom, rendering and principal vectors of maximal principal strains
for the last load step 40. If a user selects the item show with label, the numerical values of the principal strains
will be displayed as well.

These buttons can be used to turn on the

display of loads and boundary
conditions (available only for
undeformed shapes).

If an output in element nodes is selected, the

results are not interpolated between elements, and
it is possible to observe the inter-element strain
jumps

Figure 69: The post-processing window with rendering of element data for the last load step 40. This figure
shows also the undeformed configuration with support and loading conditions. The undeformed shape is

selected by the following button .

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 47

It is possible to open several post-processing windows at the same time. Each window can
be used to show results from different load steps. A new post-processing window can be
opened using the menu item Windows | New | View.
The active post-processing window can be printed from the menu item File | Graphic
printout or copied to the clipboard from Edit | Copy picture. The copied picture can
be for instance pasted to a Microsoft Word document. The picture remains in vector format
so it can be easily scaled or resized while preserving its resolution for printing.
It is possible to modify some parameters controlling the display on the screen or on paper
with the help of the dialog Options | Settings. This dialog and some of its features are
described in the subsequent figures.

Figure 70: The dialog sheet General contains various checkboxes affecting the clipboard and
printing functions. The block Run enables the user to edit the program input file before the
numerical calculation are started. This option should be used only by the experience users,
since wrong editing can cause a program crash and can result in a loss of data.

Figure 71: The dialog sheet Font controls the size of labels on the computer monitor and in the printer.

48
Figure 72: The dialog sheet Crack display enables the definition of line thickness that will be used for drawing
cracks with the largest opening.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 49

5.3 Load-displacement Diagrams
The important information about the structural behavior can be obtained from the data
collected during the analysis at the monitoring points. In our case the force at the point of
load application and the maximal vertical displacement were monitored. The load-
displacement diagram can be displayed as another post-processing window from the menu
item Windows | New | Graph. An empty window appears on the computer screen. Next
step is to select which monitored quantities are to be plotted on X and Y-axes.

Figure 73: The load-displacement diagram.

The buttons in the top right hand corner of the graph window can be used to modify the
diagram appearance. The button selects the display of monitoring data at the end of
load steps, while the button displays the quantities as they had been changing during
the iterative process. The buttons can be used to change the quadrant for the graph
display.
The selected diagram can be printed or copied to the clipboard in the same manner as it
was described in Section 5.2. The numerical values of the monitored quantities can be
obtained from the text output that is described in Section 5.4.

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5.4 Text Output
This section describes another form of output from the program ATENA 2D. The text
output can be used to obtain numerical data at finite element nodes, elements, integration
points or monitoring points. The text output is selected from the menu item File | Text
printout. This selection opens the window that is shown in Figure 74. The window is
composed of two main sub-windows. The left-hand window contains a tree structure of the
available data types. The requested data should be checked in this tree, and then by
clicking the button Generate, an alphanumerical output will be created in the right-hand
window. The contents of this window can be printed, saved to a file or copied to another
program using the system clipboard.

Figure 74: The program window for the definition of alpha-numerical output.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 51

5.5 Analysis Log Files
The program ATENA 2D consists of several modules. The two main modules are the
graphical user interface (GUI) and the analysis module. These two modules communicate
with each other through the Microsoft component object model (COM) interfaces and also
through four file streams. The contents of these streams for each analysis step can be
examined using the menu item Calculations | Step information. This action opens the
following window on your computer screen:

Figure 75: The step information window contains the input and output files from the finite element analysis.

It is possible to view the contents of these data streams for each analysis step, which can
be selected from the pull-down list at the top of the window. The content of each data
stream can be examined by selecting an appropriate bookmark at the top part of the
window.
The input stream contains the commands that were passed from the GUI to the analysis
module. In the first step, it contains the definition of the numerical model. In the
subsequent load steps it contains the definition of supports, loads and solution parameters.
The format of this file is described in the ATENA Input File Format manual [4]. The
advanced users can modify the contents of this file before executing the analysis if proper
settings are defined in Options | Settings. Only users experienced with the program
ATENA and the format of this file should modify the input file, otherwise they can
damage their data, which may then become unusable.
The output stream contains the output from the analysis module. Normally this stream is
empty since it is used later when text output is requested.

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The message stream contains the information about the analysis progress as they appeared
also in the interactive window during the non-linear analysis.
The error stream contains error and warning messages from the analysis modules. This
stream should be examined for errors that might have occurred during the numerical
calculations.

5.6 Cuts
Starting from version 1.2.0 or younger, the program ATENA 2D enables the definition of
cuts, along which scalar quantities can be evaluated and displayed. The cut can be a single
straight line, an arc, or a polygon consisting of straight lines or arcs. The cuts must be
defined in the pre-processing window, but does not have to be defined before the
numerical analysis. It is possible to define them even after some results and load steps are
calculated, just by switching between the pre- and post-processing windows.
The cut definition starts in the pre-processing window by selecting the item Cuts in the
data access tree in the left side of the program window. After that the procedure is an
analogy to the definition of reinforcement bars (see Section 3.7). It is again possible to
define the cut geometry by mouse or by numerical values. The graphical input can be
activated using the button .
In this example the numerical input is used, and it is started by the Add button in the Cut
table window, which appears at the bottom of the program window, after the item Cuts is
highlighted in the data access tree.

Step 3: select Add to start the

Step 5: use Add to add definition of cut segments
the cut to the table and
End to finish the cut
Step 4: input cut
definition.
coordinates. Finish each
segment definition with
Add. Use End after the
last segment.
Then use Add to add cut
Step 1: to the table.
select the
item Cuts

Step 2: select the button Add to add a

cut to the table of cuts.

Figure 76: The beginning of the numerical definition of cuts.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 53

Use the procedure above to define two cuts with the following end point coordinates:

Table 2: The coordinates of points for the cut definition.

Cut 1 Cut 2
Beginning End Beginning End
x [m] 0.705 0.705 1.275 1.275
y [m] 0.000 0.320 0.000 0.320

Then the program window shows the structure with two vertical cuts denoted by yellow
color.

Figure 77: The program window shows two cuts after the cut definition.

When the cuts are defined, it is possible to switch into the post-processing mode (the
button ). In this window it is possible to select which quantities are displayed along the
cut lines. Same data as in the scalar plot are always displayed along the cuts, therefore the
cut display is controlled from the Scalar sheet in the post-processing toolbar that is
normally located along the left edge of the program window. The combo-box item Show
cuts with labels must be selected in order to see the display of cut data (see Figure 78).

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 The item Show cuts with labels displays the
cut lines and the evolution of the selected
quantity.

These two boxes controls, which data are

evaluated along the cuts.

Figure 78: The post-processing window with the display of cut lines.

If necessary the display of certain cuts can be deactivated using the main menu item
Options | Activity. In this dialog it is possible to define which cuts, reinforcements or
moment lines are to be displayed on your computer screen.

Figure 79: The visibility of cuts, moment lines or reinforcement bars can be specified from the main menu item
Options | Activity.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 55

The resulting figure can be copied to the clipboard or printed using the same procedure as
it is described in Section 5.2.

5.7 Diagrams of Internal Forces

The ATENA program version 1.2.0 and younger contains a unique feature that enables the
calculation of moment, shear and normal forces diagrams for beam-like structures. The
user only has to specify the center line, to which the internal forces are to be calculated.
This moment line can be only defined in the pre-processing window, but it does not have
to specified before the analysis. It can be defined any time during the whole analysis
process just by switching into the pre-processing model using the button .
The moment line definition starts in the pre-processing window by selecting the item
Moment lines in the data access tree in the left side of the program window. After that the
procedure is an analogy to the definition of reinforcement bars or cuts (see Section 3.7 or
5.6). It is again possible to define the line geometry by mouse or by numerical values. The
graphical input can be activated using the button .
In this example the numerical input is used, and it is started by the Add button in the
Moment lines table window, which appears at the bottom of the program window, after
the item Moment lines is highlighted in the data access tree.

Step 3: click on Add to

define moment line
Step 5: after the definition
segments
of all segments click Add
to include the created
moment line into the
table.
After all moment lines are
defined use End to return Step 4: define coordinates and
geometry of each segment.
After each segment click Add
Step 1: highlight and use End to close the input
the item window.
Moment lines

Step 2: select the button Add to

define new moment lines

Figure 80: The procedure for the definition of moment lines for the calculation of internal forces.

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Use the above steps to define a centerline that is composed of only one linear segment
starting at the coordinates (0;0.16) and extending up to the point (1.275;0.16).

Figure 81: The pre-processing window after the specification of one moment line: coordinates (0;0.16) ->
(1.275;0.16).

The diagram of the internal forces distribution can be obtained only when the program is in
a post-processing mode, therefore, the next step is to select the button to enter the
visualization mode.
There is a special sheet: Moment lines, in the post-processing toolbar along the left side
of the program window. If it is selected and if the top box shows the note: show and label
the diagrams of moment, normal and shear forces are displayed on the screen as it is
shown in Figure 82. Please note that if a display of iso-lines or vector plot has been
previously selected, it remains on the screen, and the internal forces diagram is drawn over
the original picture. In many cases this is what the user wants, otherwise the iso-line or
vector display must be deactivated using the appropriate sheets in the left side toolbar.

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 57

 Select the item show and label to see the MNQ diagram.

This box controls how the forces are calculated. It can be

either from element stresses or from the stresses that are
interpolated to the finite element nodes.

These check-boxes select which diagram appears on the

monitor: M moment, N normal force, Q shear force.

Figure 82: The diagram of internal forces in the post-processing window.

The program ATENA 2D offers two methods for the calculation of the internal forces. A
suitable method can be selected from the second box in the Moment lines sheet in the
post-processing toolbar, which is normally located along the left side of the program
window. The first method calculates the internal forces from stresses that are interpolated
and averaged at nodes. The second approach calculates the forces directly from stresses at
element nodes. In this method there is no averaging of stresses between elements. The first
method tends to smooth the stress field, and therefore, it can hide some spikes from being
considered in the internal forces calculation.

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6. CONCLUSIONS

This tutorial provided a step by step introduction to the usage of ATENA 2D on an

example of a reinforced concrete beam without shear reinforcement. Although this
example is relatively simple from geometrical and topological point of view, it is not a
simple problem from the numerical point of view. Due to the missing shear reinforcement
the beam fails by a diagonal shear crack, which is very difficult to capture using smeared
crack approach. This example demonstrates the powerful simulation capabilities of
ATENA for modeling the brittle failure of concrete structures. Even with very coarse
mesh, which was used in this demonstration example, the diagonal shear crack was
successfully captured. Further improvement of the results can be achieved by decreasing
the finite element size to at least 6-8 elements over the beam height. It is also possible to
select different quadrilateral elements: CCQ10 or CCQ10SBeta, which should exhibit even
better behavior in shear dominated problems.
The objective of this tutorial is to provide the user with basic understanding of the program
behavior and usage. For more information the user should consult the users manual [2] or
contact the program distributor or developer. Our team is ready to answer your questions
and help you to solve your problems.
The theoretical derivations and formulations that are used in the program are described in
the theory manual [1].
The experienced users can also find useful information in the manual for the analysis
module only [4].

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 59

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7. PROGRAM DISTRIBUTORS AND DEVELOPERS

Program developer: ervenka Consulting s.r.o.

Na Hrebenkach 55, 150 00 Prague 5, Czech Republic
phone: +420 220 610 018
fax: +420 220 612 227
www.cervenka.cz
email: [email protected]

The current list of our distributors can be found on our website:

http://www.cervenka.cz/company/distributors/

ATENA Engineering - 2D - Tutorial 61

LITERATURE

[1] ATENA Program Documentation, Part 1, ATENA Theory Manual, CERVENKA

CONSULTING, 2000-2014
[2] ATENA Program Documentation, Part 2-1, ATENA 2D Users Manual, CERVENKA
CONSULTING, 2000-2014
[3] ATENA Program Documentation, Part 3-1, ATENA Engineering Example Manual,
CERVENKA CONSULTING, 2000-2010
[4] ATENA Program Documentation, Part 6, ATENA Input File Format, CERVENKA
CONSULTING, 2000-2014
[5] Leonhardt and Walther, Schubversuche an einfeldringen Stahlbetonbalken mit und
Ohne Schubbewehrung, Deutscher Ausschuss fuer Stahlbeton, Heft 51, Berlin 1962,
Ernst&Sohn.

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