0

Červenka Consulting s.r.o.

Na Hrebenkach 55
150 00 Prague
Czech Republic
Phone: +420 220 610 018
E-mail: cervenka@[Link]
Web: [Link]

ATENA 2023
Program Documentation

Tutorial SWO for

ATENA-PRE

Written by
Jan Červenka, Tomáš Altman, Zdeněk Janda,
Jiří Rymeš, Michaela Herzfeldt,
Pavel Pálek and Radomír Pukl

Prague, August 2023

Acknowledgements:
The software was developed with partial support of TAČR DELTA 2 Programme

(“DELTA 2 Funding programme for applied research, experimental development and

innovation”, project No. TM01000059 CeSTaR 2 – “Reducing material demands and
enhancing structural capacity of multi-spiral reinforced concrete columns -
advanced simulation and experimental validation”)

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

Copyright © 2000-2023 Červenka Consulting s.r.o.

CONTENTS
CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................... I

1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1

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

3 PREPROCESSING ..................................................................................................... 5

3.1 Geometry .............................................................................................................................5

3.2 Materials ............................................................................................................................ 26

3.3 Material assignment to geometry ........................................................................... 36

3.4 Finite Element Mesh...................................................................................................... 47

3.5 Supports ............................................................................................................................ 59

3.6 Load and Monitors ........................................................................................................ 65

3.7 Task – Analysis Settings ............................................................................................... 73

4 FE ANALYSIS ........................................................................................................ 77

4.1 L-D diagram ..................................................................................................................... 77

4.2 Visible cracks ................................................................................................................... 80

5 POSTPROCESSING ................................................................................................. 85

5.1 Activities ............................................................................................................................ 85

5.2 Copy diagram to clipboard ........................................................................................ 86

6 CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 95

7 DISTRIBUTORS AND DEVELOPERS ........................................................................... 96

REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 97

i
ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual
1 INTRODUCTION
This tutorial introduces ATENA-PRE as a preprocessor for ATENA-Studio. ATENA
software is developed for nonlinear finite element analyses of reinforced concrete
structures [1]. The following text is an example of model development in ATENA-PRE
where user can define model geometry, materials, boundary conditions etc. Such an
example is presented in following text to show how to prepare the model for simulation
in step-by-step manner.
An example of modelling in ATENA-PRE is shown on shear wall with opening which
has round corners, loaded by lateral force. The model is based on the blind test calculation
organized by French institute CEBTP [2]. Model itself consists of loaded top beam and
supporting bottom beam. Middle panel and the beams are reinforced with mesh of steel
bars while the edges of panel and opening are reinforced with extra bars. Geometry along
with reinforcement arrangement is shown in Fig. 1-1.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 1

 Fig. 1-1: Geometry and reinforcement of the model.

2
2 STARTING PROGRAM
At first the program has to be installed. The latest version of ATENA 2023 is available
on the [Link] website in section Downloads. When the downloaded archive is
unpacked and installed, ATENA Center 2023 can be found using Windows search bar
for applications (Windows logo key + S) or in default directory:
C:\Program Files\CervenkaConsulting\ATENA 2023\AtenaCenter\ATENA [Link]

Press ATENA Preprocessor

to start new model

Fig. 2-1: ATENA Center interface.

ATENA Center is user-friendly environment that gives users access to all ATENA
software, documentation, examples etc.
Otherwise ATENA-PRE is located directly in:
C:\Program Files\CervenkaConsulting\ATENA 2023\[Link]
In order to clarify the terms which are used in following text to describe the parts of
ATENA-PRE environment, see the Fig. 2-2 to identify respective parts such as Main
menu, GUI toolbar, Input data tree, Workspace view, Layers window, Data table (input
review, modelling info), Script history, Log and Coordinates and snapping. General
information about ATENA-PRE can be found in [3].

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 3

 Fig. 2-2: ATENA-PRE interface.

New project button is at the beginning of the Main menu or it can be selected in the
File | New project (Ctrl + N). The New project dialogue appears and the name of the
project with its location is adjusted.
Parameters input:
Project name SWO_round

Fig. 2-3: New project in ATENA-PRE.

4
3 PREPROCESSING

3.1 Geometry
The geometry of the model can be prepared in various ways but one of them is going to
be presented below including the information of other possible approach.

3.1.1 Concrete structure

It might be very helpful to prepare the grid line distance in Workspace view related to the
size of structural parts. The first part of the structure that is created is the middle panel
which has sizes with common multiple 50 mm. Therefore the grid size of 50 mm is set to

create the points of the middle panel. In View settings there is Viewport settings |
Viewports | Grid (Fig. 3-1) and then it is set:
Parameter input:
|Uncheck Automatic adjustment to predefined views
Distance between lines: 0.05 m
Major line every: 10 lines

Fig. 3-1: User preferences-Grid settings.

When the new grid is ready clicking on Create points icon in GUI toolbar and
Point create setting tab gets activated in Layers window location, see Fig. 3-2. Then the
points’ coordinates can be input or using mouse cursor the points can be inserted by
clicking mouse. The first point has coordinates 0,0,0 which you can enter in Point create

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 5

setting tab or using the View settings button Show grid axes to see the origin. Other
points can be added just by clicking on grid with corresponding distance. Pressing ESC
the inserting of points is concluded.

Fig. 3-2: Point create settings.

Parameters input:
Label Coordinates X,Y,Z
1 [0, 0, 0]
2 [0, 0.1, 0]
3 [0, 0.6, 0]
4 [0, 1.5, 0]
5 [0, 0.6, 0.2]
6 [0, 0.1, 0.2]
7 [0, 0.15, 0.25]
8 [0, 0.55, 0.25]

Then in Points table points‘ labels might be activated in the Workspace by selecting
checkbox Labels shown in Fig. 3-3, points that have been created and their labels.

6
 Fig. 3-3: Created points with labels.

Last two points of middle panel are not directly grid points so they can be added just by
their coordinates or by translation of existing points. In this case the points 1 and 4 are
translated as a copy in Z direction by 0.77 m. To translate points the tool Translate

geometry is used to translate and copy the original points with settings shown in
Fig. 3-4. Copy checkbox must be ticked otherwise the original points would be just
moved.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 7

 Select Copies otherwise the object
would be just moved

Select points 1 and 4 that are to be

copied

Select start/end point of translation

with 0.77 m difference in Z direction

Press Apply to create copies of selected

points

Fig. 3-4: Translate geometry – Copy settings.

When all points of middle panel are created, tool Create line segments is used for
connecting them with lines, Fig. 3-5.

8
 Fig. 3-5: Points connected with lines.

Last part of middle panel are arcs at the corners of opening. Create circular arcs
button opens Circular arcs setting (Fig. 3-6) where method Start, end, radius is
selected along with start (point 6) and ending point (point 7) of arc directly in Workspace
view or in Circular arc settings and the radius 0.05 m is defined. The mouse cursor is
used to choose orientation of arc or coordinates of point that belongs to same half-plane
as center of arc is directly typed in, see Fig. 3-7. Repeating the procedure for point 5 and
8 the other arc of the opening corner is created.

Fig. 3-6: Circular arc settings.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 9

 Fig. 3-7: Create circular arc with settings.

Then the surface is created using Create surface from boundary curves and all
lines in model are selected as surface boundary finishing with ENTER. Once the surface
is created the purple line along the surface boundaries appears, see Fig. 3-8.

Purple line shows defined

surface

Fig. 3-8: Surface with boundary lines.

The surface of the panel is then extruded to create solid using tool Translate geometry

with Extrude checkbox ticked (Fig. 3-9), surface number 1 selected (Fig. 3-10),
starting point and end point with difference 0.1 m in X direction defined. Pressing Apply
the newly created solid is outlined in turquoise color as shown in Fig. 3-11.

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 Extrude the surface to create solid

Fig. 3-9: Translate geometry – Extrude settings.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 11

 Surface line turns red
when selected

Fig. 3-10: Selected surface with red outline.

Turquoise line defines solid

Fig. 3-11: Solid made with extrusion of surface.

Next part to create is the bottom beam. First point added to geometry using Create point
is:
Parameters input:
Label Coordinates X,Y,Z
21 [-0.125, -0.35, 0]
This point is extruded to line in X direction with length 0.35 m, Fig. 3-12. Translating the
point with checked Extrusion and start point in origin [0,0,0] and end point in [0.35,0,0],
the line 31 is made. In Surface table the specific curve can be selected so that it is visible
in Workspace view and the label directly for one or more curves can be switched on as
well.

12
 Fig. 3-12: Line extruded from point.

Line 31 is then extruded in direction Z with length 0.35 m to create the surface number 13
(Fig. 3-13) and the surface is extruded by 2.2 m in Y direction which produces solid
number 2 (Fig. 3-14).

Fig. 3-13: Surface made from line.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 13

 Fig. 3-14: Solid made out of surface extrusion.

The top beam is identical with bottom therefore the bottom one, volume number 3, is
copied, see Fig. 3-15, using Translate geometry in direction Z with start point in origin
[0,0,0] and end point [0,0,1.12].

Fig. 3-15: Translate geometry – Copy of solid.

14
Finally, the concrete structure is moved to new layer which is helpful later on during the
model development especially material assignment. New layer is created via button Add

new root layer with name ‘wall’ and it is activated right away as shown in Fig. 3-16.

Fig. 3-16: Create new layer.

In order to move structure in certain layer, the structure must be selected using the tool

Select solid and then Add selected geometry to selected layer in Layers
window with selection of all lower entities as a part of the solid geometry, see Fig. 3-17.

1. Select solid

2. Add selected geometry

to selected layer
including lower entities

Fig. 3-17: Move entities into selected layer.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 15

3.1.2 Discrete reinforcement
The geometry of concrete volumes is complete. Now the reinforcement needs to be added.
First bars added to structure are the discrete bars on the edge of the middle panel with
diameter 12 mm. Adding points (Fig. 3-18):
Parameters input:
Label Coordinates X,Y,Z
37 [0.05, 0.03, -0.32]
38 [0.05, 0.07, -0.32]
39 [0.05, 1.43, -0.32]
40 [0.05, 1.47, -0.32]

Fig. 3-18: Start points of discrete reinforcement.

The points are extruded to four new lines with length 1.41 m, see Fig. 3-19.

Fig. 3-19: New discrete reinforcement.

16
Two more vertical bars are added along the opening with starting points:
Parameters input:
Label Coordinates X,Y,Z
37 [0.05, 0.06, -0.32]
38 [0.05, 0.64, -0.32]
And then extruded to lines 1 m long, see Fig. 3-20.

Fig. 3-20: New reinforcement on the side of opening.

Last discrete bar added to model is the one above the opening. Four points that define this
reinforcement are:
Parameters input:
Label Coordinates X,Y,Z
49 [0.05, 0.95, 0.3]
50 [0.05, 0.09, 0.3]
51 [0.05, 0.04, 0.35]
52 [0.05, 0.04, 0.65]
The connection between point 50 and 51 is arc with radius 0.05 m, in Fig. 3-21.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 17

 Fig. 3-21: Reinforcing bar above opening.

All discrete bars are moved together to layer called ‘bars’, Fig. 3-22.

Fig. 3-22: New layer ‘bars’.

Final part of the geometry is the reinforcement mesh. The horizontal mesh bars are created
at first. First point is number 53 and its coordinates are [0.05, 0.03. -0.025], the point is
extruded in Y direction by 1.41 m (Fig. 3-23). Then the bar is copied 3 times bellow
opening in Z direction with distance -0.1 m (Fig. 3-24).
Parameters input:
Label Coordinates X,Y,Z
53 [0.05, 0.03, -0.025]
Extrude Point: 53
Start point: [0, 0, 0]
End point: [0, 1.41, 0]

18
 Copy Number of copies: 3
Curve: 64
Start point: [0, 0, 0]
End point: [0, 0, -0.1]

Fig. 3-23: Reinforcement mesh horizontal bar below opening.

Fig. 3-24: Copies of initial horizontal bar.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 19

One bar is copied above opening with distance 0.325 in Z direction (Fig. 3-25) and then
copied 7 more time in direction Z with distance 0.1 m (Fig. 3-26).
Parameters input:
Copy Number of copies: 1
Curve: 64
Start point: [0, 0, 0]
End point: [0, 0, 0.325]
Copy Number of copies: 7
Curve: 68
Start point: [0, 0, 0]
End point: [0, 0, 0.1]

Fig. 3-25: Reinforcement mesh horizontal bar above opening.

20
 Fig. 3-26: Copies of horizontal bar above opening.

Point 62 is copied 2 times in direction Z by -0.1 m and then extruded by -0.82 m in

direction Y (Fig. 3-27).
Parameters input:
Label Coordinates X,Y,Z
62 [0.05, 1.44, 0.3]
Copy Number of copies: 2
Point: 64
Start point: [0, 0, 0]
End point: [0, 0, -0.1]
Extrude Point: 77,78
Start point: [0, 0, 0]
End point: [0, -0.82, 0]

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 21

 Fig. 3-27: Horizontal bars on the side of opening.

Same procedure is applied on the vertical bars of reinforcing mesh. Starting with point
number 81 and extruding the point into line 1.4 m long in Z direction which is copied 8
times in direction Y with distance -0.1 m, see Fig. 3-28.
Parameters input:
Label Coordinates X,Y,Z
81 [0.05, 1.42, -0.33]
Extrude Point: 81
Start point: [0, 0, 0]
End point: [0, 0, 1.4]
Copy Number of copies: 8
Curve: 78
Start point: [0, 0, 0]
End point: [0, -0.1, 0]

22
 Fig. 3-28: Reinforcement mesh vertical bars.

More points are copied in the same direction to make shorter bars below and above
opening. Two points 97 and 98 are copied by -0.1 m in direction Y and extruded by
0.31 m in Z direction bellow opening and -0.79 m in Z direction above opening, Fig. 3-29.
Parameters input:
Copy Number of copies: 1
Point: 97, 98
Start point: [0, 0, 0]
End point: [0, -0.1, 0]
Extrude Point: 99
Start point: [0, 0, 0]
End point: [0, 0, 0.31]
Extrude Point: 100
Start point: [0, 0, 0]
End point: [0, 0, -0.79]

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 23

 Fig. 3-29: Vertical bars below and above opening.

By copying the two bars (87 and 88) 4 times in Y direction by -0.1 m the vertical bars of
mesh are nearly finished, Fig. 3-30.
Parameters input:
Copy Number of copies: 4
Curve: 87, 88
Start point: [0, 0, 0]
End point: [0, -0.1, 0]

Fig. 3-30: Copies of vertical bars below and above opening.

24
The last vertical bar is placed in the middle of the narrow part of frame next to opening
(Fig. 3-31) and the point that define this bar have coordinates:

Parameters input:
Label Coordinates X,Y,Z
103 [0.05, 0.05, -0.33]
104 [0.05, 0.05, 1.07]

Fig. 3-31: Vertical bar in the narrow part of frame around opening.

All the vertical and horizontal bars of the mesh are selected and moved to new layer called
‘mesh’, Fig. 3-32.

Fig. 3-32: New layer ‘mesh’.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 25

3.2 Materials
The wall that consists of middle panel and top and bottom beam is made of concrete
which is reinforced with discrete bars of various diameters. This part covers the material
generation and properties adjustment for concrete wall and reinforcing bars.

3.2.1 Concrete material

For the concrete part the material CC3DNonLinCementitious2 is used. In Input data tree
the Materials | Concrete is selected which activates Concrete materials table, Fig. 3-33.
Pressing button Concrete the Generate material menu appears
or in the Main menu can be selected the path Data | Materials | Concrete, Fig. 3-34.

Create new Concrete material

Fig. 3-33: Create new Concrete material.

Fig. 3-34: Generate material – Concrete default.

Standard used for material parameters generation is ModelCode. Then the Strength type
is Cylinder-Mean with strength 30 MPa is selected along with Safety format – Mean, Fig.
3-35. Ok button generates the material parameters according to selected data.

26
 Parameters input:
Generate according ModelCode
StrengthType Cylinder-Mean
StrengthValue 30 MPa
SafetyFormat Mean

Generate acc. To ModelCode

Change to Cylinder-Mean with strength 30 MPa

Choose Safety Format - Mean

Fig. 3-35: Generate material – Concrete adjusted.

The generated material parameters are shown in Fig. 3-36. Those are adjusted according
to data about concrete material from experiment which are shown in Tab. 3-1.

Fig. 3-36: Material properties - generated.

Tab. 3-1: Concrete material properties.

Material parameters for concrete structure

Elastic modulus Ec 31.7 GPa
Poisson’s ratio  0.2 -
Compressive strength fc 37 MPa
Tensile strength ft 2.6 MPa
Fracture energy Gf 130.0 N/m
Crack model Fixed

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 27

The material parameters specified for the model in table are adjusted in Material – modif.
Properties (Fig. 3-37) and the name of material is changed to Concrete_wall.
Parameters input:
Name Concrete_wall
Basic Young’s modulus: 31.7 GPa
Tension strength Ft: 2.6 MPa
Compression strength Fc: -37 MPa
Tensile Fracture energy Gf: 130 N/m
Shear factor: 400
Compressive Plastic strain EPS CP: -0.0017
Onset of crushing Fc0: -20 MPa
Critical comp disp Wd: -0.0005 m
Activate crush band min.: 0.1 m

28
 Fig. 3-37: Material properties adjusted.

When the name and properties are change by pressing Ok the new material appears in
Concrete material table, see Fig. 3-38.

Fig. 3-38: Concrete material table with material Concrete_wall.

3.2.2 Reinforcement material

Then materials for reinforcement are created. There are 4 different types of bars regarding
its diameter and material properties therefore 4 different material models for
reinforcement are made. To create new reinforcement, Materials | Reinforcement in
Input tree is selected and Reinforcement material table appears, Fig. 3-39, or it can be
open via Data | Materials | Reinforcement in Main menu.

Then pressing button Reinforcement opens dialog Generate

material for reinforcement.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 29

 Create new Reinforcement material

Fig. 3-39: Create new Reinforcement material.

In the Generate material dialog (Fig. 3-40) the Characteristic yield strength is changed to
570 MPa and Characteristic Safety format is selected (Fig. 3-41). The material parameter
are taken from Tab. 3-2.

Fig. 3-40: Generate material – Reinforcement default.

30
 Change Characteristic yield
strength f_yk to 570 MPa

Select Safety format - Characteristic

Fig. 3-41: Generate material – Reinforcement adjusted.

Tab. 3-2: Reinforcement material D_6.

Material parameters of reinforcement D_6

Elastic modulus E 200 GPa
Yield strength y 570 MPa
Hardening linear

Parameters input:
Name D_6
Basic Young’s modulus: 200 GPa
Characteristic yield strength f_yk: 570 MPa
When the material is generated, in Fig. 3-42, by clicking on Edit of Reinf_function the
stress-strain diagram of reinforcement is shown in Edit function dialogue, in Fig. 3-43.
The material is created when you close Edit dialogue and press Ok. Then the material is
listed in Reinforcement materials table, Fig. 3-44.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 31

 Fig. 3-42: Modification of Reinforcement material properties.

Fig. 3-43: Reinforcement function edit dialogue.

Fig. 3-44: Reinforcement materials table with new material D_6.

The procedure of creating new reinforcement is repeated 3 more times with respective
properties specified in following tables, Tab. 3-3 - Tab. 3-5.

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 Tab. 3-3: Reinforcement material D12.

Material parameters of reinforcement D12

Elastic modulus E 200 GPa
Yield strength y 480 MPa
Hardening linear
Tab. 3-4: Reinforcement material D10.

Material parameters of reinforcement D10

Elastic modulus E 200 GPa
Yield strength y 470 MPa
Hardening linear
Tab. 3-5: Reinforcement material D_8.

Material parameters of reinforcement D_8

Elastic modulus E 200 GPa
Yield strength y 620 MPa
Hardening linear

Question about non-standard value of Characteristic yield strength pops up when material
D_8 is generated which is shown in Fig. 3-45. By pressing Ok it is possible to finish
material definition.

Fig. 3-45: Non-standard value check.

All reinforcement materials which are created are listed in Reinforcement materials table,
Fig. 3-46.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 33

 Fig. 3-46: Reinforcement materials table with list of defined materials.

3.2.3 Beams’ material

Since the beams are part that is going to be loaded and supported, the material assigned
to these solids is going to be improved. Otherwise the local damage due to the load type
would occur in numerical simulation.
Concrete base material for beams is based on Model code model for concrete with
compressive strength on cylinder 80 MPa, Fig. 3-47.
Parameters input:
Generate acc. ModelCode
StrengthType Cylinder-Mean
StrengthValue 80 MPa
SafetyFormat Mean

Fig. 3-47: Concrete beam base material generated from ModelCode.

34
Concrete_beam_base material has been generated and is used in Combined material
which is concrete with smeared reinforcement.
In Concrete generate material the check of Change prototype is checked so the Prototype
can be changed, Fig. 3-48. The material CCCombinedMaterial is chosen and the Ok is
pressed.

Fig. 3-48: Concrete beam material with smeared reinforcement.

Then the dialogue for modification of material properties is opened. Solid material is
added – Concrete_beam_base with ratio 1 and has to be activated via checkbox. Then the
Reinforcement is added in two perpendicular direction which are specified by direction
vector. Ratio of reinforcement is changed and the reinforcements are activated, see Fig.
3-49.

Fig. 3-49: Properties of CCCombinedMaterial.

List of all Concrete materials is visible in the table, Fig. 3-50.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 35

 Fig. 3-50: List of concrete materials.

3.3 Material assignment to geometry

Materials that have been created in previous chapter are not assigned to any geometry. At
this point the materials are assigned to geometrical entities.

3.3.1 Building element types

Two Building element types are made for two types of geometry: beams and wall. The
view in Workspace is adjusted so that selecting of geometrical entities is easier. Therefore
all the layers except the ‘wall’ layer are switched off in Layers window.
First the new building element type is created by selecting Building element type | Beam
(Fig. 3-51) with double click in Input tree which opens the dialogue for building element
type specification, or with just one click the BE beam table is activated and the button
Beam types is pressed, Fig. 3-52. In the dialogue are chosen the
properties of the geometric entity, mesh parameters and material:

Parameters input:
Geometric entity solid
Static model 3D (solid)
Mesh type linear
Assigned material Concrete_beam
BE type Beam types

36
 1. Switch off all the
layers except the layer
‘wall‘
2. Double click
on Beam

Fig. 3-51: New BE types - Beam.

Fig. 3-52: BE types properties.

When the parameters are selected the Ok button should be pressed which triggers the
selection mode to choose the geometry. Both beam solids are selected with mouse cursor
changing the beam color into red, seeFig. 3-53. Then the Enter button completes the
selection process and materials and mesh properties are assigned to geometrical entities.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 37

 Fig. 3-53: Assignment of BE type to geometry.

When the color of the building element type is similar to colors which are already used
in the Workspace view, it is helpful to change the color of BE types in BE beam types
table so that the new color is clearly visible in the model, in Fig. 3-54.

Fig. 3-54: BE type assigned to geometry.

Second element type is made for the wall part of the structure. Another BE type is created
via BE type dialogue which pops up after double click on Building element types | Wall
in Input tree, Fig. 3-55. The parameters of the Wall are adjusted as in previous case for
solid entity with linear mesh. Then the solid (wall part of the structure) is selected and
with Enter the assigning of properties for chosen entity is finished, Fig. 3-56.

38
 Parameters input:
Geometric entity solid
Static model 3D (solid)
Mesh type linear
Assigned material Concrete_wall
BE type Wall types

Fig. 3-55: BE type properties.

Fig. 3-56: BE types assigned to solids.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 39

3.3.2 Reinforcing types
There are 4 different materials for discrete reinforcement and for each of them
Reinforcing types are going to be created. At first the layer with mesh geometry which
are bars with diameter 6 mm and material D_6 is only one activated, see Fig. 3-57.

Switch off all the layers

except the layer ‘mesh‘
2. Double click
on Bar

Fig. 3-57: Preparing to create Reinforcing types.

Then, reinforcing element type dialogue opens double click on Bar in Input tree
Reinforcing types | Bar, or the simple click on Bar that activates Reinforcing bars table
where is button Bar .
Parameters input:
Name Bar_D6
RE type Bar
Bond type Perfect bond
Assigned material D_6
Bar diameter 6 mm
The input parameters specified above are entered into Create reinforcing element type
dialogue (Fig. 3-58 and Fig. 3-59). To activate the change of the name the checkbox
Automatic name has to be unchecked. Also when the bar diameter is changed with mouse
click outside of the Bar diameter box the profile area and perimeter are updated.

40
 Fig. 3-58: Reinforcing type properties - default.

Fig. 3-59: Reinforcing type properties – adjusted for material D_6.

Once the parameters are set, the button Ok should be pressed which turns program in
selection mode and the lines with described parameters are chosen, Fig. 3-60. Selection
of all lines in layer ‘mesh’ changes their color into red and is visible in Workspace view.
Then Enter button completes the selection and assignment of reinforcing types.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 41

 Fig. 3-60: Selected geometry of Reinforcement type.

Reinforcing type which has just been made appears in the Reinforcing bars table and lines
in Workspace view change into corresponding color, Fig. 3-61.

Fig. 3-61: Geometry with assigned Reinforcing type.

When mesh reinforcement is finished, the layer ‘mesh’ is deactivated and layer ‘bar’ is
activated, Fig. 3-62.

42
 Switch off all the layers
except the layer ‘bars‘

Fig. 3-62: Preparation for new Reinforcing types assignment.

Horizontal bar above opening that is bent into vertical direction and has diameter 8 mm.
Reinforcing type named Bar_D8 with material D_8 and respective diameter is assigned
to the geometry, see Fig. 3-63.
Parameters input:
Name Bar_D8
RE type Bar
Bond type Perfect bond
Assigned material D_8
Bar diameter 8 mm

Fig. 3-63: Reinforcing type for material D_8.

ATENA 2023-PRE – User´s Manual 43

The procedure is same as in previous case, the Reinforcing type is created then the
corresponding lines are selected and assigned to Bar_D8. The lines with assigned
Reinforcing type are visible in Workspace view and new Reinforcing type is listed in
table below, Fig. 3-64.

Fig. 3-64: Reinforcing type with material D_8 assigned to geometry.

Two shorter vertical bars along the opening have diameter 10 mm and therefore material
D10 should be assigned to them, Fig. 3-65.

Parameters input:
Name Bar_D10
RE type Bar
Bond type Perfect bond
Assigned material D10
Bar diameter 10 mm

44
 Fig. 3-65: Reinforcing type for material D10.

Reinforcing type Bar_D10 is made with parameters above and assigned to short vertical
lines. The lines change color accordingly and Reinforcing type appears in table of
Reinforcing bars, Fig. 3-66.

Fig. 3-66: Reinforcing type with material D10 assigned to geometry.

Remaining discrete vertical bars have diameter 12 mm and their material is D12.
Corresponding Reinforcing type is created with parameters below and assigned to
remaining geometry, see Fig. 3-67.

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 Parameters input:
Name Bar_D12
RE type Bar
Bond type Perfect bond
Assigned material D12
Bar diameter 12 mm

Fig. 3-67: Reinforcing type for material D12.

Fourth Reinforcing type named Bar_D12 is made and the last four vertical lines are
selected to complete assignment of corresponding material, bond or diameter.
All Reinforcing types are listed in table and the corresponding geometry is visible in
Workspace view with descriptive legend as shown in Fig. 3-68.

46
 Legend color corresponds
Legend can be to details in RB table
switched on/off

Fig. 3-68: Reinforcing types for all reinforcement material assigned and
listed in table below.

3.4 Finite Element Mesh

By now the geometry of the model has been built up, material models have been set up
and assigned to geometry. Therefore at this point the FEM mesh can be prepared.
Default FEM mesh is generated in FE mesh generator tab within Input tree section, see
Fig. 3-69. Then when the user scrolls down in the generator the button Preview FE mesh
generates and shows mesh in the Workspace view.

On/Off mesh preview

Open FE mesh generator,

scroll down and press
Preview FE mesh button

Fig. 3-69: Preview default FE mesh.

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Quality of the mesh is crucial for FE analysis and its results therefore the mesh needs to
be improved. Before the mesh parameters are changed, the FE mesh preview is switched
off (in FE mesh settings) and the ‘wall’ layer is activated and the BE types with
Reinforcing types are deactivated in the Workspace view via checkbox Show in the
respective tables.
The size of the mesh is adjustable in Input tree FE mesh parameters | FE mesh size.
Then in FE mesh parameters table the solids are chosen which pops up a window
with Size definition, Fig. 3-70. The User defined size definition is selected and size is set
to 0.1 m, Fig. 3-71.

Parameters input:
Size definition User defined
Mesh size 0.1 m
Equidistant check

Uncheck to switch off

mesh preview

Choose FE mesh size for solids

Fig. 3-70: Change FE mesh size for solid (beams).

48
 Fig. 3-71: FE mesh size parameters – default and then adjusted.

After pressing button Ok & Assign geometry, the selection mode is directly activated
and the beams (top and bottom) are marked (Fig. 3-72), the selection process is concluded
with Enter.

Fig. 3-72: Selected solids with modified mesh size.

In the FE mesh size parameters table can be checked the correct assignment to
geometry, Fig. 3-73.

Fig. 3-73: Assigned geometry to new FE mesh size.

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Other mesh size is prescribed for the middle panel. Again, Create new FE mesh for

solid is chosen and the mesh size for middle panel is set to 0.05 m, Fig. 3-74.

Parameters input:
Size definition User defined
Mesh size 0.03 m

Fig. 3-74: FE mesh size for middle panel.

After pressing Ok & Assign geometry middle panel solid is selected and the Enter
finishes the task, Fig. 3-75.

Fig. 3-75: Selected geometry for FE mesh size modification.

50
The assigned geometry of respective FE mesh size is displayed in FE mesh size
parameters table, see Fig. 3-76.

Fig. 3-76: FE mesh sizes assigned to different solids.

The adjusted size of mesh can be checked in FE mesh generator when Preview FE mesh
is applied, Fig. 3-77.

Fig. 3-77: FE mesh preview with adjusted mesh size.

The size of the mesh is set nevertheless the unstructured FE type – tetrahedra is going to
be modified. Before the FE mesh type is created, the FE mesh preview needs to be
switched off in FE mesh settings, otherwise the selection of geometry is not visible in
Workspace view.

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The beams are solids with 6 surfaces that are prism-shaped therefore the structured mesh
using hexahedrons can be easily applied. In FE mesh parameters | FE mesh types the
Create new FE mesh for solid (Fig. 3-78) is selected in FE mesh type parameters
table. The dialogue of FE mesh type appears, Fig. 3-79. The FE mesh structured is
selected (Fig. 3-80) then the Ok & Assign geometry button is pressed, and beams
geometry is selected (selected geometry turns red as in previous cases). The process is
confirmed and executed by pressing Enter. Assigned geometry can be checked in table
below, see Fig. 3-81.
Parameters input:
FE mesh structured Yes

Uncheck to switch off

mesh preview

Choose FE mesh type for solids

Fig. 3-78: Create new FE mesh type for solid.

Fig. 3-79: FE mesh type parameters – default and then adjusted to

structured.

52
 Fig. 3-80: Selection of geometry for new FE mesh type.

Fig. 3-81: New FE mesh type listed in table with assigned geometry.

Geometry which is assigned to newly created FE mesh type is displayed in FE mesh type
parameters table.
Preview of the changes in mesh are visible in FE mesh generator after clicking on
Preview FE mesh button, Fig. 3-82.

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 Fig. 3-82: Preview of FE mesh with structured elements within beams.

Finally the shape of elements in middle panel are edited. Adding the new FE mesh type
for surface changes triangular mesh into quadrilateral. As in previous cases, the
Workspace view is set to geometry instead of FE mesh, Fig. 3-83.

Uncheck to switch off

mesh preview

Choose FE mesh type for surface

Fig. 3-83: New FE mesh type for surface.

In dialogue of FE mesh type for surface the structured mesh is chosen and by clicking on
the Ok & Assign geometry button the surface can be selected. The main surface of middle
panel (number 1 or 2) is selected in order to assign quad-dominant mesh, Fig. 3-84 and
Fig. 3-85.
Parameters input:
FE mesh structured Yes

54
 Fig. 3-84: FE mesh type parameters – default and adjusted with surface
structured mesh.

Fig. 3-85: Assigning of FE mesh type to selected geometry.

Quadrilateral mesh is assigned to surface number 2 which translates to parallel surface

number 1 as well, Fig. 3-86.

Fig. 3-86: List of FE mesh types and its assigned geometry.

The changes in mesh are previewed in mesh generator by clicking on Preview FE mesh,
Fig. 3-87.

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 Fig. 3-87: Preview of structured mesh on the surface.

As it is visible on figure above, the quadrilateral mesh on the main surface of middle
panel changed the type of elements into wedges. In the final step of mesh modification,
the wedge elements turn into hexahedra elements.
The view in Workspace is set to geometry by unchecking the Show FE and T3D model
within the FE mesh settings. Then in FE mesh parameters | FE mesh extrusion the new

FE mesh extrusion for solid is made, see Fig. 3-88. The dialog which appears does

56
not require adjustment so the default settings is assigned to middle panel geometry solid,
Fig. 3-89. Just by clicking on Ok & Assign geometry the selection of solid is activated
and the middle panel is chosen, Fig. 3-90. Pressing Enter completes the assignment.

Uncheck to switch off

mesh preview

Choose FE mesh extrusion for solid

Fig. 3-88: New FE mesh extrusion.

Fig. 3-89: FE mesh extrusion parameters.

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 Fig. 3-90: Assignment of FE mesh extrusion.

Extrusion of mesh is assigned to geometry according to the selection and can be reviewed
in table of FE mesh extrusion parameters table, Fig. 3-91.
The completed FE mesh is previewed in FE mesh generator when Preview FE mesh
button is used. The hexahedra elements are now within the whole geometry of the model,
Fig. 3-92.

Fig. 3-91: FE mesh extrusion listed in table with assigned geometry.

Fig. 3-92: Structured mesh in the whole model.

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3.5 Supports
In this chapter the Support is assigned and the model parts with incompatible mesh are
connected with Fixed contact.

3.5.1 Support
At the bottom part of Input tree is last category item Analysis. Clicking on Analysis |
Boundary conditions (BC) the Boundary conditions table appears. The model is going
to be supported at the bottom surface of the bottom beam therefore the new Surface
boundary condition is selected, see Fig. 3-93.

New BC for surface

Fig. 3-93: New Boundary condition.

The default dialog of boundary condition offers first load case which is Body force by
default, Fig. 3-94. Switching the load case to Supports the condition type Support is
selected, Fig. 3-95. Then the support I defined in all directions of coordinate system X, Y
and Z and the button Save & Assign to geometry switches the program to selection mode
and the surface to be supported is selected, Fig. 3-96. By pressing Enter the command is
concluded.
Parameters input:
Load case 2 Supports
Condition type Support
Coordinate system Support in X
Support in Y
Support in Z

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 Fig. 3-94: Boundary condition - default.

Fig. 3-95: Boundary condition - Support.

60
 Fig. 3-96: Selected surface for assigning support.

The surface with support is displayed in Workspace view, Fig. 3-97.

Fig. 3-97: Surface with support.

3.5.2 Fixed contact

Two different types of mesh are assigned to beams and wall respectively which results in
two incompatible meshes that are not connected. Hence the beams and wall need to be
connected. For this purpose the fixed contact is assigned.
New Surface boundary condition is created with Load case Supports as in previous case
but this time the condition type is switched to Fixed contact, Fig. 3-98. The Slave

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condition type is assigned as first, clicking on Save & Assign to geometry the selection
mode is triggered. The three surfaces at the top and bottom of middle layer are selected,
Fig. 3-99. Then pressing Enter pops up the dialogue window for Fixed contact with the
Master type, Fig. 3-100, so the Save & Assign to geometry is pressed once more and the
bottom surface of top beam with top surface of bottom beam are selected, see Fig. 3-101,
and with Enter the whole process of assigning the Fixed contact is concluded, Fig. 3-102.
Parameters input:
Load case 2 Supports
Condition type Fixed contact

Fig. 3-98: Create new fixed contact - Slave.

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 Fig. 3-99: Surfaces selected to assign fixed contact - Slave.

Fig. 3-100: Create new fixed contact - Master.

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 Fig. 3-101: Surfaces selected to assign fixed contact - Master.

Fig. 3-102: Surfaces with fixed contact.

All the boundary conditions created in this section are listed in table, Fig. 3-103.

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 Fig. 3-103: List of boundary conditions in table.

3.6 Load and Monitors

The previous part covered the supporting of the model so the structure can be loaded. In
this section the load is prescribed along with monitors in order to survey the behavior of
the structure as whole.

3.6.1 Load
The shear wall has bottom beam supported and the top beam is loaded. The beam is loaded
by prescribed deformation.
At first the Load case for the prescribed deformation needs to be created since the default
load cases cover Body forces, Supports and Forces, not deformation. In Analysis | Load
cases new load case is created by clicking on Load case button
as shown in Fig. 3-104.

Create new Load case

Fig. 3-104: Create new Load case.

New load case dialogue offers various load types, Load category and multiplier, Fig.
3-105. In this case the Load type is changed to Prescribed deformation and saved with
button Save.

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 Parameters input:
Load type Prescribed deformation

Fig. 3-105: New Load case – Prescribed deformation.

New Load case is listed in the table, Fig. 3-106.

Fig. 3-106: List of Load cases in table.

When the Load case is created the actual load is made in Analysis | Boundary conditions
as a new BC for curve, see Fig. 3-107.

66
 Create new Monitor for line

Fig. 3-107: New Boundary condition – Prescribed deformation.

In New boundary condition dialogue select load case Prescribed deformation and set the
displacement in Y direction with magnitude -0.1 mm, Fig. 3-108. Button Save & Assign
to geometry starts selection mode where the line to be loaded is chosen, see Fig. 3-109.
Parameters input:
Load case Prescribed deformation
Coordinate system Displacement in Y: -0.0001 m (-0.1 mm)

Fig. 3-108: Prescribed deformation properties.

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 Fig. 3-109: Selected line to be loaded.

The loaded line is displayed in Workspace view with arrows, Fig. 3-110.

Fig. 3-110: Line loaded by Prescribed deformation.

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3.6.2 Monitors
The first monitor assigned to the model is reaction monitor that gathers vertical reaction
of the load in support zone. New monitor for Surface is selected in Analysis | Monitors,
Fig. 3-111.

Create new Monitor for surface

Fig. 3-111: Create new monitor.

New surface monitor parameters are changed to Reactions data type in direction Y and
the math operation of this monitor is Summation of node values on the surface, see Fig.
3-112.
Parameters input:
Name Reaction_Y_sum
Output data type Reactions
Direction Y
Math operation Summation

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 Fig. 3-112: Surface monitor – default and edited.

When the monitor is edited the Save & Assign to geometry is pressed and the geometry
of the support surface is selected. Fig. 3-113, Enter concludes the assignment. And the
monitor appears in the table below., Fig. 3-114.

Fig. 3-113: Reaction monitor surface during selection.

Fig. 3-114: Surface monitor - reaction.

70
Second monitor is assigned to the line with prescribed displacement loading.
Displacement of the line is monitored in direction Y and the value is average of node
values on the selected line, Fig. 3-115 and Fig. 3-116.
Parameters input:
Name Displacement
Output data type Displacement
Direction Y
Math operation Average

Fig. 3-115: Displacement monitor on line.

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 Fig. 3-116: Line selected to assign displacement monitor.

The monitors are listed in table, Fig. 3-117.

Fig. 3-117: List of monitors in the table.

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3.7 Task – Analysis Settings
The nonlinear analysis in ATENA modelled incrementally therefore the history of
loading is of essence. The goal of most of analyses is to gradually reach the load level
when failure of the structure occurs.
There are two parameters of the gradual loading that are crucial for appropriate analyses
results. The first one is final load level that is reached at the end of interval which is
comparable to the failure load and is defined by Final load multiplier given from Load
case multiplier and Interval multiplier. This final load can be estimated from hand
calculation or from the test analysis with few steps and load level to see the development
of stresses within the structure. The second parameter is increment of load which is given
by final load level and the number of steps (load is divided into number of steps).
In this section the loading history of the Shear wall is described. The loading history is
defined in Analysis | Tasks (Fig. 3-118). Generally, the different types of load can be
divided into different Intervals however the one Interval for different loads can be used
too, it all depends on the desired effect of load or combination of loads acting on the
structure.

Create new Task

Fig. 3-118: Create new Task with Interval parameters and loading history.

In case of Shear wall only one Interval is used since only one load is applied, see Interval
dialogue in Fig. 3-119. Within the interval the load defined in BC section (Prescribed
deformation) is multiplied by Interval multiplier and then it is divided into specified
number of interval steps. The experimental data show the peak of the load when the
displacement of the top reaches about 3 mm. Therefore the Interval multiplier is set to 30.
Then the number of steps is set to 200 and only every 10th step is saved in order to save
memory, in Fig. 3-120.
Parameters input:
Number of steps 200
Interval multiplier 30
Saving mode Every 10th step

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 Load cases acting in Interval

Task Intervals
Interval settings

Diagram of Interval load cases

Fig. 3-119: Task dialogue interface.

Change number of steps to 200

Interval multiplier is set to 30

Save every 10th step

Fig. 3-120: Interval settings.

Also, the Load cases acting during the Interval need to be added into Input parameters. In
the Interval load cases window, the Load cases are selected one at a time (Supports and
Prescribed deformation) and clicking on Add button the load cases is activated in Interval,
Fig. 3-121.
Parameters input:
Load cases Supports
Prescribed deformation

74
 Select the Load case and press Add
to make it active in the Interval

Fig. 3-121: Activation of load cases in Interval.

When the Input parameters are prepared (Fig. 3-122) and the Task is saved then the
analysis can be executed by pressing Run while the Task is selected. The Atena Studio
appears and analysis starts to run, see Fig. 3-123.

Fig. 3-122: Ready Task to run analysis.

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 Press Run to execute analysis in Atena Studio

Fig. 3-123: Execution of analysis.

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4 FE ANALYSIS
When the analysis is executed in ATENA-PRE by pressing Run, the ATENA Studio
appears and runs the simulation, as in Fig. 4-1.

Simulation progress

Structure window
Diagram window

Result
Output and Message view
settings
Step and iteration count
Fig. 4-1: Launching analysis in ATENA Studio.

4.1 L-D diagram

While the simulation is running, user can display L-D diagram to assess the progress of
the calculation. There is a New diagram button within toolbar menu that open
dialogue for setting the monitors to axes on diagram, Fig. 4-2. Then user chooses
displacement monitor to label horizontal axis and reaction in case of vertical axis, Fig.
4-3 and Fig. 4-4. When user presses OK the new diagram is shown in diagram window.

New diagram

Fig. 4-2: Creating new diagram.

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 Fig. 4-3: Horizontal axis properties.

Fig. 4-4: Vertical axis properties.

78
Since the displacement is negative which absolute value is growing, the diagram is plotted
leftwards, Fig. 4-5. Therefore the it is handy to switch the horizontal axis orientation to
have the rightwards orientation of the L-D diagram plot.

The settings of the diagram is open by using button Properties of active document
(Fig. 4-6) and in the tab Horizontal axis the Switch axis orientation checkbox is ticked,
Fig. 4-7. Then the L-D diagram gets proper orientation, Fig. 4-8.

Fig. 4-5: Leftwards oriented diagram.

Properties of active document

Fig. 4-6: Opening properties of diagram.

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 Fig. 4-7: Switching axis orientation.

Fig. 4-8: Rightwards oriented diagram.

4.2 Visible cracks

Another handy feature to see the progress of the damage in the structure is crack view
which can be showed using Crack settings for visible cracks:
Parameters input:
View style Solid with outline
Show cracks Yes
Max crack level 1

80
 Max crack width 0.0001
The structure view may be adjusted using Shift+Left mouse button, see Fig. 4-9.

Fig. 4-9: Visible cracks properties.

Below Crack settings is Result setting where scalar results might be displayed while the
simulation is running, Fig. 4-10.
Parameters input:
Show scalar results Yes
Value Crack width
Item Cod1
Draw iso areas Yes

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 Fig. 4-10: Scalar results settings.

Since the solid elements are non-transparent, the cracks are visible only on the surface
and also the reinforcement is hidden. That might be remedied by switching on

transparency in Properties of active document as shown in Fig. 4-11 resulting in

transparent structure in Fig. 4-12.

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 Fig. 4-11: Transparency settings.

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 Fig. 4-12: Launching analysis in ATENA Studio.

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5 POSTPROCESSING
Once analysis is completed, the user switches from Runtime to Postprocessing when
clicking on button . Then the Progress bar disappears and it is possible
to switch to results in any of the saved steps, see Fig. 5-1.

Switch to Postprocessor

Choose step to see results

in Postprocessor

Fig. 5-1: Switching Runtime to Postprocessor in ATENA Studio.

5.1 Activities
Useful tool to display only part of the structure to show behavior in somehwere particular
is Activity in Visible domain. Default Activities available to choose from are 1D and 3D.
Otherwise it is possible to make another Activity in Edit Activities to create desired
combination of structure parts. Just to show the advantage of Activities, Current Activity
is switched to 1D and then the stresses can be viewed on the reinforcement directly, Fig.
5-2.

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 Switch to Visible domain

Fig. 5-2: Activities settings.

Back in the View settings, the Scalar results are shown when values are selected. It the
example the Stress values in X direction which is direction of bars’ longitudinal axis, see
Fig. 5-3.

Fig. 5-3: Axial stresses in reinforcement.

5.2 Copy diagram to clipboard

L-D diagram shown in the diagram window can be easily transformed into .csv or .txt
file. The mouse cursor has to be located within the diagram window then by left button
click the window is activated and simple clipboard shortcut Ctrl + C is used to store the
diagram data, Copy to clipboard dialogue appears aby pressing Ok the data are stored,

86
see Fig. 5-4. Then the software such as simple Notepad or Excel can be opened and the
data inserted by using shortcut Ctrl + V.

Fig. 5-4: Copy data to clipboard.

The results of the simulation are then compared to experimental data as shown in Fig. 5-5
where the results of analysis correlate with experiment very well.

Fig. 5-5: Analysis results compared to experiment.

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5.3 Selection and Output data request
In this section is shown how to use combination of two very helpful features such as
Selection and Output data request.
The Selection in post-processing is used to separate part or parts of the model from the
rest of it. Then the Selection has various ways of utilization e.g., visualization of the
Selection through activities which have been introduced above, data or monitor request
of the structure part included in Selection. Output data request is shown later in the text
once the Selection is prepared.
The process how to create Selection is shown on the part of the structure that is severely
crushed during the loading of the model. Specifically, the bottom part of the column
which makes frame of the wall opening is the pressed most intensely as shown in Fig. 5-6
with visible scalar results of minimal principal stresses.

Fig. 5-6: Minimal principal stresses within the structure.

The principal stresses in the crushing zone are relevant only for 3D concrete material
therefore the 1D reinforcement is switched off in current activity by using button Edit
activities (Fig. 5-7) which opens the dialogue where user creates new activity when
pressing Add new activity. Within new Activity 1 only parts made of material
Concrete_wall are selected to be visible, see Fig. 5-8, by clicking button Ok the new
activity is activated right away. Then the new Selection is created in Selection manager
by clicking on button Create new selection, see Fig. 5-9.

88
 Create new activity so that
only wall part is visible

Fig. 5-7: Current activity – Edit activities.

Fig. 5-8: Activity manager – Create new activity.

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 Selection manager

Create new selection

Fig. 5-9: Selection tab – Create new selection.

Current selection settings of new selection are shown in Fig. 5-10. The new name of
selection is entered as Frame_corner, then in selection options the Nodes are chosen to be
selected (otherwise user can select Elements or Element Ips, however they do not offer
same possibilities of Output data request as in case of Nodes), Add to selection and Select
internal entities checkboxes are checked. Then the mouse selection on the structure part
is done in Structure view. The selected nodes are marked with red balls, shown in Fig.
5-11. In case of selection some extra nodes, it is possible to remove them using checkbox
Remove from selection.
Parameters input:
Selection name Frame_corner
Entities to select Nodes
Add to selection Yes
Select internal entities Yes

Fig. 5-10: Current selection settings.

90
 Fig. 5-11: Marked nodes to be added to selection.

Once the selection of Frame_corner is created the data request can be applied on the piece
of the structure. Since the Frame_corner is highly compressed part of the structure the
Minimal principal stresses are of interest in this region. In order to find out what are the
values of Principal stress exactly the user can go to Output | Data request … or just press
F8 (Fig. 5-12) and the dialogue of Output data request appears, Fig. 5-13.

Fig. 5-12: Opening - Output | Data request ...

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 Fig. 5-13: Output data request dialogue.

In the Output data request dialogue are set the specifics of results the user is interested
in. This example shows how to obtain average Minimal principal stress in the selection
that includes bottom part of compressed column. Location of the requested data are in
Nodes just like selection which is created from nodes, using Filter the user can easily find
Principal Stresses. Then the domain of requested data is the selection created earlier –
Frame_corner. Finally, out of all types of principal stresses the Item range is set to Min
which gives the minimal stresses representing the maximal compressive stresses and the
Processing option is set to Find average that returns the mean values of compressive
principal stress within the region of selection, see Fig. 5-14. The result of the data request
appears in Output console once the user presses Apply.
Parameters input:
Location Nodes
Results Principal Stress
Output domain Named selection | Frame_corner
Items Item range | Min to Min
Processing options Find average

92
 Fig. 5-14: Output data settings with result in Output console – Average
compressive stress within selection.

Another example shows the output of minimum of Min. Principal Stresses which is
actually the maximal compressive stress located in the region of specified selection, see
Fig. 5-15.

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 Fig. 5-15: Output data settings with result in Output console – Maximal
compressive stress within selection.

94
6 CONCLUSION
This tutorial documents the way to develop model of structure in ATENA-PRE and then
execute FE nonlinear analysis in ATENA Studio.
The topology of the problem is defined in the ATENA-PRE step-by-step so the user can
follow the procedure and grasp understanding of the flow of work in preprocessor. Once
the problem is developed in preprocessor, the analysis is shown in Atena Studio including
the postprocessing part showing some of the useful features.
For more information about ATENA, please refer to ATENA Theory manual [1]. More
information about the meshing method used in ATENA software is in detail described in
T3D manual [5].
Our team is ready to help you should you have any questions. Also some troubles might
be resolved with Troubleshooting manual [6].

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7 DISTRIBUTORS AND DEVELOPERS
Program developer: Červenka Consulting s.r.o.
Na Hrebenkach 55, 150 00 Prague 5, Czech Republic
phone: +420 220 610 018
fax: +420 220 612 227
[Link]
email: cervenka@[Link]

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

[Link]

96
REFERENCES

[1] Cervenka, V., Jendele, L, Cervenka, J., (2022), ATENA Program

Documentation, Part 1, Theory, Cervenka Consulting, 2022
[2] Foure, B., Eléments finis appliqués au béton armé ou precontraint
(comportement non-linéaire jusqu’á rupture), Test de logiciels de calcul, CEBTP
(no. 9641006), Fevrier 1998
[3] Cervenka, J., Altman, T., Janda, Z., Rymes, J., Herzfeldt, M., Palek, P., Pukl, R.
ATENA 2023 Program documentation, User’s Manual for ATENA-PRE,
Cervenka Consulting, 2023
[4] Benes, S., Mikolaskova, J., Altman, T. ATENA Program Documentation, Part
12, User’s Manual for ATENA Studio, Cervenka Consulting, 2021
[5] Rypl, D. (2016), Triangulation of 3D domains – User guide, CTU in Prague,
2016
[6] Pryl, D. and Cervenka, J., (2022), ATENA Program Documentation Part 11,
ATENA Troubleshooting, Cervenka Consulting, 2022

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