OpenSeesPy Crash Course – Free OpenSees Training for Beginners

About Course:

This free, hands-on crash course is a fast-track introduction to OpenSeesPy, the Python-based interface of the powerful OpenSees finite element platform. Whether you’re a student, graduate researcher, or structural engineering professional, this course provides everything you need to get started—without any prior experience in OpenSees or Python.

You’ll learn the theoretical background, step-by-step modeling workflows, pushover analysis techniques, and how to automate output and visualization

🧭 Course Structure Overview

🧩 Chapter 1: Introduction & Installation

Build a strong foundation in OpenSeesPy by learning key modeling concepts and getting your system ready for simulation.

🟡 Topics Covered:

• Strengths and limitations of OpenSeesPy
• Micro vs. macro finite element modeling approaches
• Comparison with commercial tools (ETABS, ABAQUS)
• Unit system and coordinate conventions
• Installing OpenSeesPy using Anaconda
• Setting up necessary Python libraries

🧩 Chapter 2: Elastic Beam Modeling

Dive into your first structural model with an elastic cantilever beam and understand the complete modeling and analysis workflow.

🟡 Topics Covered:

• Step-by-step beam modeling in OpenSeesPy
• Applying boundary conditions and loads
• Running the simulation and extracting results
• Visualizing models with:
  • vfo (Visual For OpenSees)
  • opsvis (OpenSees Visualization)

🧩 Chapter 3: Nonlinear Frame & Pushover Analysis

Advance to real-world applications by modeling a nonlinear steel frame and performing a pushover analysis using Python-based automation tools.

🟡 Topics Covered:

• Applying point and distributed loads
• Understanding element and section axes
• Defining nonlinear fiber sections
• Using forceBeamColumn elements
• Configuring pushover analysis
• Automating convergence and cyclic loading
• Post-processing & plotting pushover curves

📦 Included with the Course

✅ Downloadable Python code files for all models and analyses
✅ Ready-to-run examples for both elastic and nonlinear simulations
✅ Scripts for visualization and automated post-processing

🌟 Why Take This Free Course?

✅ Free Access – No hidden costs
✅ Beginner Friendly – Learn OpenSees from scratch
✅ Reusable Code – Full access to ready-to-use scripts included

📢 Important Note

💡 No prior experience is needed.
This course is suitable even if you have never worked with OpenSees, Python, or structural modeling software. Every step is clearly explained from the ground up.

🚀 Get Started Now – It’s Free!

Unlock your journey into computational structural analysis with this beginner-friendly, free OpenSeesPy course.