OpenSees is an object-oriented, open source software framework created at the NSF-sponsored Pacific Earthquake Engineering (PEER) Center. It allows users to create finite element applications for simulating the response of structural and geotechnical systems subjected to earthquakes. This framework was developed by Frank McKenna and Gregory L. Fenves with significant contributions from Michael H. Scott, Terje Haukaas, Armen Der Kiureghian, Remo M. de Souza, Filip C. Filippou, Silvia Mazzoni, and Boris Jeremic. OpenSees is primarily written in C++ and uses several Fortran numerical libraries for linear equation solving.
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History
Prior to taking on the name "OpenSees," the framework was simply called "G3" in reference to its research group designation within PEER. The doctoral thesis of Frank McKenna on parallel object-oriented structural analysis formed the basis for "G3."
Usage
Users of OpenSees create applications by writing scripts in the Tcl programming language. The TclModelBuilder class in the OpenSees framework extends an instance of the Tcl interpreter with commands for finite element model building and analysis. OpenSees developers access the source code using CVS. Although anyone may check-out the source code anonymously, only a handful of individuals have check-in access (McKenna, Scott, Jeremic).
Licensing
OpenSees is protected under the LGPL by the UC Regents.
