SAP2000

Essential links

Known limitations for ETABS and SAP2000

SAP2000 BIM link for the concrete structural design (EN) | IDEA StatiCa

About the SAP200 plugin

You can select a concrete member or a portion of the ETABS model and export it directly to IDEA StatiCa for detailed structural design. All members, cross-sections, and internal forces are included in the export. Together, IDEA StatiCa and SAP2000 provide an efficient workflow for concrete design, saving time, reducing errors, and enabling design optimization.

In fact, there are two BIM links between SAP2000 and IDEA StatiCa applications:

1. Through IDEA StatiCa Checkbot, which enables the transfer of:
   • Wall elements, to design D-regions in the Detail application.
   • Beam elements, to analyze the stability of 1D elements in the Member application.
2. Through IDEA StatiCa Beam, which supports advanced reinforcement and complex prestressing design for beam elements, including Time-Dependent Analysis.

SAP2000 to Detail

While SAP2000 is primarily intended for global structural analysis, regions with discontinuities require a more advanced analytical approach. The Compatible Stress Field Method (CSFM) implemented in IDEA StatiCa Detail is specifically designed to analyse these regions, capturing nonlinear and localised behaviour with higher accuracy.

This link is managed through the IDEA StatiCa Checkbot application, which facilitates model import, synchronization, and data transfer. A complete description of the workflow can be found here, and a detailed explanation of the force transfer process will be provided in a tutorial, which will be soon published. 

SAP2000 to Member

IDEA StatiCa Concrete Member enables engineers to model, reinforce, and verify concrete beams and columns within their real 3D context. It performs code checks and reinforcement design based on applied loads and boundary conditions, integrating seamlessly with global analysis software. Using advanced analytical method provides accurate results for both ultimate and serviceability limit states, ensuring safe and efficient reinforced concrete design.

This link is managed via the IDEA StatiCa Checkbot application, which handles model import, synchronization, and data exchange. A full workflow can be observed in the video below. 

SAP2000 to IDEA StatiCa Beam

The SAP2000 to IDEA StatiCa Beam link provides a direct connection to the Beam application; Checkbot is not used in this workflow. This link enables advanced reinforcement and complex prestressing design, including time-dependent analysis. For a step-by-step guide, follow this tutorial or watch the video below.

How to get started

Getting started is simple: just download and install both applications on the same PC, then activate the BIM link in a few easy steps. You can immediately begin exporting and designing concrete members.
For the best performance and compatibility, we strongly recommend using the latest versions of IDEA StatiCa and SAP2000.

Integration guide of BIM link for SAP2000 versions v23 and newer.