output file size

[lukanar]

Dear Seismosoft,
I've developed a quite large 3D rc frame model very detailed (more than 800 nodes and 2700 elements) and I've performed some nonlinear dynamic analyses using artificial ground motion time-histories.
In order to perform safety assessment according to international standards, I need to post-process the output of analysis and I'm working directly on the text output file (.out)
In a previous post, I've asked you about the possibility to have several output text files but you said that Seismostruct produces only one unique output file.
I've found some problems in managing such file due to its large size: for a 20s time-history analysis (time step analysis 0.01s, time step output 0.01s) I've obtained an output text file of more than 200 Gb (practically unusable).
According to other posts in this forum and software manual, I've tried to reduce the output file dimensions selecting only some elements and some nodes in the analysis output worksheet.
Neverheless, I found that the user-interface output file (.srf) has lower dimensions but the text output file has the same enormous dimensions.
I've also tried to increase the output frequency time step (0.1 s), obtaining a smaller file (20 Gb, if it can be considered small) but obtaining a poorer definition in the analysis results.
How can I reduce the output text file dimensions?
Is it possible to obtain output text data only for selected elements and nodes?
Is there something wrong in my approach?
Did other users face similar problems? (I've checked on the forum but I was not able to find anything)
If there is no way to do that, I have to extract the output from user-interface file (.srf) but it's quite hard to do if you have a large number of elements and nodes. Do you have any useful suggestions to solve this problem?
I hope to have been clear enough.
Thank you very much for your kind attention and collaboration.
Luca

[seismosoft]

Dear Luca,

There is indeed a bug in the program that is causing the general text output function (the one activated in the Settings) to overlook the nodes/elements output settings (and thus making it output results for all nodes/elements). We will correct this in the next release.

In the meantime, however, you may make use of the “Export to Text File” command present in the Post-processor, which outputs only the selected nodes and elements data.

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention,

Seismosoft Support

[lukanar]

Dear Seismosoft,
Thank you very much for your suggestion and help.

Luca

[Andre]

I'm performing dynamic time-history analysis on 2 computers at the same time. In one of them I have a huge .out file that grows quickly as the analysis progresses. However, in the other computer the program didn't create that .out file, only the .srf. The versions of the program are the same (5.0.5). The only difference is that one has windows xp and the other windows 7. Can this be explained?

[seismosoft]

André,

Is the 'Text Output' option activated in both cases? From your description, this does not seem to be the case. Do check the 'General Settings' and then let us know, please.

Thanks,

Seismosoft Support

[Andre]

I'm sorry. I was positive that I had unchecked the Text output option, but I was wrong. It's ok now, thank you for your help.

[Niki]

Hello! I would like to come back to Luca's question: "Is it possible to obtain output text data only for selected elements and nodes?"
I am interested in recording e.g. just the top floor (relative to the base) displacement and then post-process the results with MATLAB. However, the output text file takes things one time-step at a time and fills the text file with a ton of (irrelevant) information. Is there a way to get a text file that will contain the (relative) displacement values only, or at most the time and the (relative) displacement values?

[Niki]

I guess I had not realized I can right-click on the plot (global response parameters), then choose the export tab, then the data tab and copy, save or send the data...

[seismosoft]

Indeed, Niki.

You can also simply select to view 'values' rather than 'graph', and then right-click, select all, and copy data.

Do check the Help System for more info on results post-processing.

Seismosoft Support