Technology continues to play a pivotal role in simplifying complex analysis and enhancing safety, accuracy, and efficiency in this ever-evolving field of structural engineering. One of the standout tools developed to meet the rigorous demands of offshore structural design and analysis is SACS – Structural Analysis Computer System. Developed by Bentley Systems, SACS is an integrated suite of software tailored specifically for engineers designing and maintaining offshore structures, such as oil platforms, wind turbines, and subsea infrastructure.
This blog by Multisoft Systems explores the depth of SACS software online training, its key capabilities, applications, modules, and why it's a top choice for offshore structural engineers worldwide.
Introduction to SACS Software
SACS (Structural Analysis Computer System) is a comprehensive structural analysis and design software primarily used in the offshore oil and gas, wind energy, and marine industries. Developed originally in the 1970s by Engineering Dynamics, Inc., and now maintained and expanded by Bentley Systems, SACS is designed specifically to address the unique challenges of offshore structures, including wave loading, current loading, seismic activity, fatigue, and more. Structural Analysis Computer System (SACS) is a specialized software suite developed by Bentley Systems, designed to meet the complex needs of offshore structural engineering. SACS provides a powerful, integrated platform for analyzing, designing, and maintaining offshore structures such as fixed platforms, floating systems, subsea templates, and wind turbine foundations. What sets SACS apart is its ability to simulate and analyze environmental loads including wave, current, wind, seismic activity, and vessel impact—all critical for ensuring the safety and stability of offshore assets. Engineers around the world trust SACS for its offshore-specific features such as fatigue analysis, pile-soil interaction, blast load assessment, and nonlinear collapse simulations. The software complies with international design codes like API, ISO, and DNV, making it a go-to solution for global offshore projects.
SACS also supports lifecycle integrity management, enabling engineers to perform reassessments and retrofits of aging infrastructure. With a robust suite of modules, seamless integration with other Bentley tools, and support for digital twin technology, SACS training empowers structural engineers to optimize performance, ensure code compliance, and extend the life of offshore structures. In today’s demanding marine environments, SACS stands as a cornerstone for reliable, accurate, and efficient offshore structural analysis and design.
Why Use SACS?
Offshore structures operate in highly dynamic and often unpredictable environments. As such, they require:
- Precise modeling and analysis
- Reliability under extreme weather conditions
- Durability against corrosion, fatigue, and wave forces
- Compliance with industry codes like API, ISO, and NORSOK
SACS addresses these needs by offering:
- Offshore-specific load modeling (waves, currents, earthquakes)
- Fatigue and collapse analysis tools
- Integrated finite element analysis (FEA)
- Design verification against industry standards
- Lifecycle assessment tools for inspection and maintenance
SACS is used in over 80 countries by major oil and gas companies, design consultancies, and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) firms.
Core Features of SACS Software
1. Offshore-Specific Analysis Tools
SACS stands out due to its ability to handle offshore-specific requirements such as:
- Wave load simulation using Morison's equation
- Dynamic response analysis due to wind, waves, and earthquakes
- Fatigue analysis over the service life of a structure
- Blast load simulation for safety assessments
- Pile-soil interaction models for accurate foundation analysis
2. Integrated Design and Analysis
SACS provides a seamless workflow from modeling to post-processing:
- Model creation through intuitive GUIs or importing from other platforms like AutoCAD or Bentley’s OpenPlant
- Finite element analysis (FEA) for structural strength, stability, and flexibility
- Design verification against global codes (API, ISO, Eurocode)
3. Automation and Customization
With automation tools, repetitive tasks like load application, member grouping, and design iterations become faster. It also supports user-defined scripting and batch processing for large-scale projects.
4. Lifecycle Management
SACS offers tools to manage the full lifecycle of offshore assets:
- Structural integrity management (SIM)
- Inspection planning
- Corrosion allowance analysis
- Reassessment and retrofit modeling
Modules of SACS Software
SACS is not a single tool but a suite of integrated modules. Here are some key components:
1. SACS Precede
A graphical user interface (GUI) used to create, view, and manipulate structural models. It includes 3D visualization, model review tools, and interoperability with other CAD platforms.
2. SACS Executive
The main control center for executing analysis programs. It provides batch run capabilities and job control settings.
3. SACS Analysis
This module performs static and dynamic structural analyses under various loads such as gravity, wind, wave, seismic, and temperature.
4. SACS Fatigue
Assesses fatigue damage over the life of the structure due to cyclic loading from waves and wind. Includes rainflow counting and stress concentration factors.
5. SACS Collapse
Performs pushover analysis and nonlinear collapse assessment to check structural ductility and redundancy.
6. SACS Seastate
Simulates extreme environmental conditions like hurricanes and typhoons to ensure design safety margins.
7. SACS Joint Can
Used for the design and evaluation of tubular joints per API RP 2A and ISO 19902.
8. SACS PSI (Pile-Soil Interaction)
Analyzes the interaction between piles and surrounding soil using nonlinear soil models.
Key Applications of SACS Software
SACS is used in multiple marines and offshore structural engineering applications, including:
- Design and analysis of fixed platforms, floating structures, subsea templates, and riser systems.
- Support structure design for wind turbines including monopiles, jackets, and gravity base structures.
- Analysis of subsea manifolds, foundations, and pipelines, considering wave and current forces.
- Used in the analysis of piers, jetties, docks, and coastal defense structures.
- Evaluation of old platforms for reuse, conversion, or safe dismantling and decommissioning.
Benefits of SACS for Offshore Engineering
SACS software offers a wide range of benefits tailored specifically for offshore structural engineering, making it an essential tool for professionals in the oil & gas, marine, and renewable energy industries. One of its key advantages is its ability to accurately simulate real-world offshore conditions, such as wave, wind, seismic, and current loads, which are critical for the safety and stability of structures in harsh marine environments. With built-in support for global design codes like API, ISO, and DNV, SACS ensures that structures meet international safety and compliance standards. Its integrated fatigue analysis tools help engineers predict long-term performance and manage lifecycle maintenance efficiently. The software’s pile-soil interaction models and nonlinear collapse analysis enhance the accuracy of foundation design and structural failure assessment. SACS also improves productivity through its user-friendly interface, automation capabilities, and batch processing options, enabling engineers to handle large, complex projects with ease.
Moreover, it integrates seamlessly with other Bentley applications like MOSES and AutoPIPE, supporting a holistic and streamlined workflow. From initial design to inspection and decommissioning, SACS certification enables better decision-making, reduces project risks, and extends asset life, making it a powerful solution for tackling the unique challenges of offshore engineering.
Integration with Other Bentley Tools
SACS is part of the Bentley Offshore Structural Suite and integrates well with:
- MOSES for floating structure hydrodynamics
- OpenPlant for 3D piping and structural modeling
- AutoPIPE for piping stress analysis
- iTwin platform for digital twin creation and lifecycle monitoring
This interoperability supports digital transformation in offshore engineering, helping teams deliver better outcomes faster and more sustainably.
Learning SACS Software
Learning SACS requires a background in structural or civil engineering. Engineers often undergo training through:
- Official Bentley Systems training programs
- Online certification courses
- University curriculum for offshore engineering
- On-the-job training in EPC firms
Engineers should familiarize themselves with wave mechanics, structural dynamics, and offshore code requirements to fully leverage SACS capabilities.
The Future of Offshore Analysis with SACS
As industries move toward renewable energy, digital twins, and automation, SACS continues to evolve:
- Cloud-based simulation and collaboration features
- Enhanced fatigue prediction models using machine learning
- Sustainable design tools integrated with carbon footprint analysis
- Greater integration with IoT devices for real-time monitoring
SACS is positioned to remain a cornerstone tool in the offshore structural industry for years to come.
Conclusion
Structural Analysis Computer System (SACS) software stands as a powerful and specialized tool for tackling the complexities of offshore engineering. With its broad capabilities, offshore-specific features, and integration with Bentley’s ecosystem, SACS enables engineers to design safer, more efficient, and cost-effective offshore structures. Whether you are building oil platforms in the North Sea, designing wind farms in the Baltic, or analyzing jetties in Southeast Asia, SACS provides the tools and confidence needed to execute your vision with precision.
If your project demands reliability in extreme environments, compliance with stringent offshore codes, and an integrated structural lifecycle workflow, SACS is not just an option—it’s a necessity. Enroll in Multisoft Systems now!