SODA 5• Developed by Waterloo Eccentric Software

• 519-780-8797

• support@sodaspace.ca

• The following design example provides a quick start tutorial to the SODA software

• Structural Optimization Design Analysis

SODA - File / New

• SODA has a graphical interface to enhance the model creation.

• Entries may be entered manually to the right side of the next slide, but graphical input is much faster.

SODA - Project / Definition

• Select the following

• Design, Verify or Analysis

• 3D or 2D, Frame or Truss

• First-Order or P Delta, Metric or Imperial

• CSA S16-01 , CSA S16.1-94 or AISC codes

• CISC SDC or AISC SDA Database

Adding Nodes

• Nodes are not required to add members

• Activate the top button to the right of the view ports to add node graphically

• Activate the fifth button to select nodes or members and the sixth button to move nodes

SODA - Groups

• Groups are required before members can be added• Double click asterisk in Group window to enter

first group• Enter Group Name, Shape and Color• Designation may be selected or left unknown.• Freeze Designation by setting Minimum and

Maximum to zero• Edit allowable slenderness, modulus and stresses,

if required

SODA – Creating Members

• Select the Graphics tab on the right and select ‘Create end nodes for new members…’under the Editing options

• In the Members list on the Structure tab, One click columns speed up building the model, but check direction and height

SODA – Column Creation

• Set Y = 8 m in Top View (lower right) and check direction

• Create four columns with the height and the direction entered beside the One click column check box by pointing at the desired locations in the Top View

Deleting Nodes or Members

• The 3D view is the best view, since other views may have nodes or members overlaid

• Select third button at the top of the view port to zoom fit structure to window

SODA – Beam Creation

• Define Beam Groups before entering Members.

• Set Min / Max limit to zero to freeze the section search for design.

• Input a member such that it frames into an existing member, results in the existing member being segmented and a node being created at the junction

SODA - Structure / Members

• Click edit effective length in member list to modify Kx, Ky, Bt and Bb

• The Kx and Ky are the effective length factors for axial compression. Bt and Bb are the effective length factors for bending of the top and bottom fibres.

• The beta angle is defined in the next slide

SODA - Loads / Nodal Loads

• When entering Loads, pin the load input screen and release the structure input

• Enter load name, load type and magnitude then select nodes to apply

• When highlight load name, loads are shown in 3D view port

SODA - Loads / Member

• Enter name, load type, distribution, magnitude and orientation

• Highlight magnitude and select members above (point cursor at member in 3D view to see member name)

SODA - Loads / Combinations

• A Load Combination must be defined before running the engine.

• Add Load Combination name

• Enter load factor below, click modify and repeat

Run Design

• Click Run / Run Engine

• The default is to save project before running engine

• Click Run / Review Input or run engine and click Output / Input Echo

• An example report and diagrams are provided on the following pages

http://www.sodaspace.ca/