Don’t Think, Just Throw

The uncertainty of an OpenSees analysis often stops people in their tracks. What will happen if I use this input for that model? Will I be able to simulate this behavior? What if the analysis fails to converge?

Don’t think. Just throw.

Nothing bad is going to happen if you have an incorrect input or your analysis does not converge. You are not going to break the matrix or enter the twilight zone. You will not get the blue screen of death. The worst that can happen is you get a less than graceful exit from OpenSees. Then you try again.

So, develop your model, step by step. Then start throwing the ball.