Structural integrity and performance are critical in engineering, particularly in industries such as offshore oil and gas, civil infrastructure, and marine engineering. Accurate structural analysis ensures that components are designed safely and cost-effectively while withstanding operational and environmental loads.
Bentley’s Structural Analysis Computer System (SACS) online training is one of the leading software solutions designed for structural engineers to perform static and dynamic analysis, design, and post-processing of offshore and maritime structures. With comprehensive tools for analyzing the performance and safety of platforms, rigs, jackets, pipelines, and topsides, SACS has become an essential application in the marine and offshore industry.
History and Evolution of SACS
SACS was first developed in the 1970s to meet the structural analysis needs of offshore engineers, particularly in oil and gas projects. As the complexity of marine structures increased, SACS evolved into a robust software package with capabilities covering fatigue analysis, dynamic response, seismic analysis, and loadout simulation. Bentley Systems acquired SACS in 2005 and integrated it into their portfolio of infrastructure engineering solutions. Since then, SACS has continuously grown, with frequent updates that integrate new international codes, computational techniques, and interoperability with other Bentley and third-party tools.
Key Features and Capabilities
SACS offers an impressive range of features that cover the entire lifecycle of structural design and analysis:
- Linear and Nonlinear Analysis: Capable of handling linear static and nonlinear problems including large displacements and P-Delta effects.
- Seismic and Dynamic Analysis: Includes response spectrum, time history, and spectral fatigue analysis.
- Wave and Wind Load Generation: Built-in tools to simulate environmental loads for offshore conditions.
- Fatigue Analysis: Life prediction of structures subjected to fluctuating loads.
- Pile-Soil Interaction: Incorporates modeling of pile foundations with soil-structure interaction.
- Code Compliance: Supports design checks as per international standards such as API, AISC, ISO, and Eurocode.
- Integrated Modules: Multiple specialized modules such as Collapse, Joint Can, Fatigue, and Marine Dynamics.
These features make SACS certification ideal for complex offshore structural systems where safety, reliability, and compliance are critical.
User Interface and Navigation
SACS features a user-friendly and intuitive interface that simplifies complex structural analysis tasks. Designed with both beginners and experienced engineers in mind, the software offers a modular layout that clearly separates various functions such as modeling, analysis, post-processing, and reporting. The graphical user interface (GUI) allows users to build models visually, navigate complex assemblies, and manage multiple analysis scenarios with ease.
Navigation is facilitated by tool ribbons, customizable toolbars, and a well-structured project explorer that provides quick access to components and analysis settings. Engineers can drag and drop elements, zoom and rotate 3D models, and toggle between views to inspect specific nodes, members, or loads. The workspace supports layering, color coding, and filters for better visibility and editing efficiency.
SACS also includes integrated help documentation, context-sensitive menus, and tutorials to guide users through specific workflows. Users can switch between modeling, load application, and analysis with minimal effort, thanks to logical workflows and smart prompts that reduce data entry errors. Furthermore, the use of templates and reusable components accelerates design time and promotes consistency across projects. Overall, the interface ensures a seamless transition from conceptual modeling to final analysis, allowing structural engineers to focus more on design integrity and safety than on software complexity.
Structural Modeling in SACS
Structural modeling in SACS training is comprehensive and highly adaptable to the needs of marine and offshore engineering. Users can construct detailed 3D models of platforms, jackets, decks, risers, and other complex assemblies using intuitive tools that define nodes, elements, supports, connections, and boundary conditions. The software supports beam, shell, and solid elements, providing flexibility in representing various structural components with appropriate stiffness and mass properties. Load application is straightforward, with options to simulate dead loads, environmental loads, operational forces, and custom loading conditions. Engineers can replicate real-world geometry by importing data from CAD files, spreadsheets, or other structural design tools. Parameters such as member sizes, material properties, connection types, and design codes are all integrated into the modeling environment, enabling detailed simulations. SACS also supports parametric modeling, making it easy to perform design iterations and sensitivity studies. The modeling capabilities ensure high accuracy in analysis and compliance with global standards.
Analysis Types Supported by SACS
- Linear static analysis
- Nonlinear static analysis
- P-Delta (second-order) analysis
- Dynamic response analysis
- Seismic analysis (response spectrum and time history)
- Fatigue analysis (spectral and time-based)
- Buckling and collapse analysis
- Loadout and transportation analysis
- Marine growth and hydrodynamic analysis
- Pile-soil interaction analysis
- Modal analysis
- Impact and accidental load simulation
- Blast and explosion load assessment
Integration with Other Engineering Tools
SACS offers seamless integration with various engineering tools, which enhances productivity and ensures smooth data flow across multidisciplinary teams. This interoperability makes it easier for companies to incorporate SACS into their existing workflows without significant disruption. The software supports open data exchange formats and has connectors for popular engineering platforms, allowing for streamlined collaboration between structural, geotechnical, and naval teams.
Key Integration Capabilities:
- Compatible with Bentley’s suite including AutoPIPE, MOSES, STAAD, and OpenPlant.
- Imports and exports geometry through standard formats such as DXF, DWG, and IFC.
- Interfaces with PLAXIS for advanced soil-structure interaction analysis.
- Allows integration with Excel for bulk data handling and custom load generation.
- Supports API access for automation and custom tool development.
This integration capability ensures that SACS training can act as a central part of any offshore structural design and analysis workflow, promoting accuracy and reducing rework.
SACS vs. Competitor Software
When it comes to offshore structural analysis, SACS holds a prominent position in the industry due to its specialization, accuracy, and decades of refinement. However, engineers often compare SACS with other structural analysis software such as STAAD.Pro, ANSYS, SAP2000, ABAQUS, and ETABS—each having distinct strengths. Unlike general-purpose tools like STAAD.Pro or SAP2000, SACS is uniquely optimized for marine and offshore structures, especially oil and gas platforms, jackets, floating structures, and risers. Its ability to handle wave, wind, seismic, and fatigue analysis under marine conditions sets it apart. It also provides ready-to-use templates for offshore projects, which is a significant productivity boost compared to more generic platforms. For example, ANSYS or ABAQUS may offer advanced nonlinear capabilities and finite element modeling, but they require extensive customization and expertise when used for offshore structures. In contrast, SACS includes offshore-specific modules such as SACS Collapse, SACS Fatigue, SACS Joint Can, and Pile-Soil Interaction out of the box, enabling faster modeling, analysis, and design cycles.
SACS also ensures code compliance with international offshore standards like API RP 2A, ISO, and DNV, which may require additional scripting or manual work in other tools. Furthermore, its integration with Bentley products (like AutoPIPE and MOSES) supports end-to-end workflows that cover everything from stress analysis to hydrodynamic simulation and loadout planning.
Hence, while other tools offer broader applications or higher-end physics modeling, SACS excels in domain-specific analysis, offshore reliability, and workflow efficiency, making it the preferred choice for offshore structural engineers.
Tips for Beginners in SACS
- Utilize Bentley’s official tutorials and help documentation to familiarize yourself with the software’s structure and terminology.
- Learn the basic SACS workflow — model creation, load application, analysis, post-processing — before diving into complex projects.
- Start with pre-built templates for jackets, topsides, and platforms to understand common structural configurations.
- Understanding the .INP file format can help with model troubleshooting and bulk editing.
- Use logical naming conventions for nodes, members, and groups to maintain model clarity and ease of navigation.
- Frequently use the 3D viewer and graphical tools to check model connectivity, loads, and constraints during development.
- Start with basic load cases before introducing complex wave, wind, or seismic loads.
- Run basic checks using SACS’ model verification and joint checks to catch errors early.
- Maintain version control of your files to revert to earlier stages if needed.
- Join Bentley Communities and user forums to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from others.
- Consider certified SACS training courses to build a strong foundation in theory and practical application.
Conclusion
Structural Analysis Computer System (SACS) stands as a benchmark solution for offshore and marine structural engineering. Its specialized capabilities, integration with global design codes, and modular approach make it an essential tool for analyzing complex structures under dynamic environmental conditions. From linear static analysis to fatigue and collapse simulations, SACS empowers engineers with accuracy, safety, and efficiency. Beginners benefit from an intuitive interface and robust learning resources, while advanced users can leverage automation and integration features.
As offshore infrastructure continues to evolve, SACS remains a trusted ally in ensuring reliability, regulatory compliance, and structural integrity across project lifecycles. Enroll in Multisoft Systems now!