A New Interface Methodology for Microcomputer Based Structural Analysis Programs

微型计算机的普及以及 在结构工程师的意识需要考虑动态 在结构设计中的影响，创造了一个结构的需要， 能够模拟建筑物动态效果的工程软件。 在大型主机上开发的ETABS程序可以提供 工程师所需的建模能力。 第一步， ETABS提供给结构工程界是转换它 从大型计算机环境到个人计算机， 已经部分实现。 但是，在转换过程中， 保留了原始的批处理类型输入定义方法。 这种类型的 问题定义方法是乏味的并且容易出错。 使ETABS成为 实用工具，用途广泛，数据输入和数据输出 应利用最新的互动技术促进这一进程。 计算机制图. 这项研究将采用一系列计算机 目前正在开发的图形用户界面实用程序 将ETABS的数据输入和输出过程从批处理 模式转换为完全交互式的图形程序。 以下目标将指导拟议的研究： 1. 由此产生的软件应该在PC-AT环境中运行。 2. 输入和输出过程都将通过菜单- 驱动的图形交互方法。 3. 应提供屏幕帮助信息。 4. 由此产生的软件应该是可移植到其他 工程工作站配置。 5. 开发的预处理器和后处理器工具应 适用于类似批量的结构分析 程序. 提出以PC-AT环境为目标硬件 配置，使这项研究的最终产品可用 尽可能多的工程师。

The widespread availability of micro-computers together with an increase in the awareness of structural engineers of the need to consider dynamic effects in the design of structures, has created a need for structural engineering software capable of modelling dynamic effects in buildings. The ETABS Program developed on a large mainframe can provide the modelling capability required by engineers. The first step to make ETABS available to the structural engineering community is to convert it from a large computer environmental to the personal computer, this has already been partially achieved. However, in the conversion, the original batch-type input definition method was retained. This type of problem definition approach is tedious and error prone. To make ETABS a practical tool with widespread use, the data input and data output process should be facilitated using the latest techniques of interactive computer graphics. The research proposed will apply a series computer graphics user-interface utilities that are currently under development to transform the data input and output process of ETABS from a batch mode to a fully interactive graphical procedure. The following objectives will guide the proposed research: 1. The resulting software should run in a PC-AT environment. 2. Both the input and output process will be through a menu- driven graphical interactive approach. 3. On-screen help information should be available. 4. The resulting software should be transportable to other engineering workstation configurations. 5. The pre- and post-processor tools developed should be applicable to similar batch oriented structural analysis programs. The PC-AT environment is proposed as the target hardware configuration to make the end product of this research available to as many engineers as possible.