I was asked to present this one as a lecture. Never made it to the team but nonetheless I’m still as eager as ever to present this to you. So yep, you will see this first.

Just as the title suggests, there should be not just one, not two, but several analysis models that need to be set up.

But why go through a lot of trouble setting up different lateral analysis models if we can set up just one, with the foundation and the superstructure in one model like a one stop shop? And why do we even need to do it in the first place?

We need to do it because of one simple reason: this is to follow certain specific code requirements.

Now this post will come in series as I want to reiterate the importance of each and every model in the lateral analysis models flowchart below so that we have all bases covered.

So for this post, let’s begin discussing two models.

Model 1 in the flowchart is the base model.

Fact: it will take a lot of changes in the model starting from concept to construction stage.

These changes  will be brought about by the client/architects including the “oops” type of changes. (By “oops” changes, what I mean is the instance that you sit relaxed and fulfilled at your design and suddenly oops…) These changes no matter how nasty or daunting can they be are changes that need to be captured and incorporated in the analysis model and in the drawings.

So whether it’s a change in framing or loading, you need to analyze in different lateral analysis models the same exact model of the same geometry and loadings. And as such is the convenience of editing only one base model. And as you will see, we’re just harnessing the power of the Save As function.

So remember that this is the main model. We have not began analyzing anything yet but definitely this is not the least important model.

The next type of model which I already discussed in a previous article is the thermal model which you will read here in depth. One important thing to note here is the base model should initially reflect spring supports for thermal analysis because it’s far more easier changing springs to pinned or fixed supports later in the other lateral analysis models. Or it can be that the base model and the thermal model are one and the same.

So remember, the key here is a proper organization of models. You’d want to keep a log for that.