Getting Started with BuildingTcl

BuildingTcl Commands

Most BuildingTcl Library commands consists of a series of parameter-defining add-Data commands, concluded by an add-Object command, which takes the previously defined parameters and assembles them into an individual library object.

• SET UP

source myBuildingTcl.tcl

<setDataDir Data>

<setUnits -Length $BasicLengthUnit -Force $BasicForceUnit -Time BasicTimeUnit>

• DEFINE INPUT DATA

addMaterialData ….. 

addMaterial ''; # define Materials Library''


addSectionData …..

addSection''; # define Section Library''


addElementModelData …..

addElementModel''; # define ElementModel Library''


addAnalysisModelData …..

addAnalysisModel''; # define AnalysisModel Library''


addModelData …..

addModel''; # define Model (Elevation, Plan, 3DModel) Library''

addLoadData …..
addLoad''; # define Loads Library''


addLoadCombinationData …..

addLoadCombination''; # define LoadCombination Library''

The following commands are Building-Tcl specific. They are used to run the OpenSees simulation.

• BUILD AND ANALYZE

SelectModel …..

SelectLoadCombination …..

BuildAndAnalyze

Run BuildingTcl

• myBuildingTcl.tcl – no graphics

- Incorporates BuildingTcl commands into the Tcl Interpreter
- The BuildingTcl commands are used within OpenSees.exe or OpenSeesTk.exe.

1. Run from OpenSees Prompt:

a. Run OpenSees.exe or OpenSeesTk.exe
b. Source myBuildingTcl.tcl at OpenSees prompt
c. Source input and analysis files at OpenSees prompt

Run BuildingTclViewer

• myBuildingTclviewer.tcl – BuildingTcl with graphical interface

- Incorporates BuildingTcl & BuildingTclviewer commands into the Tcl/Tk Interpreter 
- This file needs to be sourced from the OpenSeesTk.exe prompt, or by double-clicking on the BuildingTclViewer.bat file

1. Run from OpenSees Prompt:

a. Run OpenSeesTk.exe – a Tk window opens up (do not close it).
b. Source myBuildingTclviewer.tcl at the OpenSees prompt 
- -- the Tk window becomes the BuildingTclviewer

Or 2. Double-click on myBuildingTclviewer.bat

Getting-Started Input File

This file contains all the input data for the building model and simulation. It can be used by both BuildingTcl and the BuildingTclViewer.

GettingStartedInputFile.tcl -– Setup & Materials

GettingStartedInputFile.tcl -– Element Section

GettingStartedInputFile.tcl -– Gravity Loads

GettingStartedInputFile.tcl -– Model: Elevations

GettingStartedInputFile.tcl -– Model: Plans

GettingStartedInputFile.tcl -– Model: 3DFrames

GettingStartedInputFile.tcl -– Lateral Loads

GettingStartedInputFile.tcl -– Load Combiantions

GettingStartedInputFile.tcl -– Run

BuildingTclViewer Overview

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