In this lecture, we'll cover the following:

• Extracting nodal displacements from the numerical model using OpenSeesPy.
• Identifying the maximum displacement and its location within the slab.
• Visualising displacement fields using a heat map.
• Computing and interpreting support reactions, including corner behaviour.
• Verifying results through equilibrium checks and qualitative validation.

In this lecture, we focus on extracting and interpreting results from our slab model. We begin by retrieving nodal displacements, specifically the vertical component, and organising these into a usable format. From this, we identify the maximum displacement and its location, noting how this aligns with expected structural behaviour for a uniformly loaded slab. We then reshape and visualise the displacement field using a heat map, allowing us to confirm that the deformation pattern is physically reasonable.

We then move on to reaction forces, computing them at constrained nodes and examining their distribution. We pay particular attention to expected features, such as downward reactions at the corners and varying magnitudes along the edges. By visualising these reactions and summing them, we confirm vertical force equilibrium with the applied load. Throughout, we emphasise the importance of sanity checks, both visual and numerical, to ensure the model is behaving correctly before proceeding to more advanced result extraction.

Next up

Next, we will extract the bending moments and shear forces from the OpenSeesPy model, working with stress resultants at Gauss sampling points.