About the System Environment of FLIP programs

Q1.　Is FLIP ROSE protected by USB key?

A.	Yes, it is.

Ｑ2．Can I run the FLIP program using computers through LAN connecting one department and other distant departments in the same organization, such as New York office and San Francisco office?

A.

The load module of FLIP program for Overseas Members can be run by the maximum of ten computers connected with LAN. (Please click here for more details about FLIP program for Overseas Members.) If you run the FLIP program using computers through LAN connecting one department and other distant departments in the same organization, such as New York office and San Francisco office, sometimes the FLIP program may be not working normally. Therefore, we have prepared a protection dongle for rent for confirmation of compatibility through LAN. If you wish to test operation before admission to the FLIP consortium, at first, please download the promissory note of the protect dongle and check the terms and conditions for rental agreement. (Click here for more information.)

Q3.　Can I run the FLIP ROSE program on a stand-alone computer (such as a notebook computer) which is not connected to in-house LAN?

A.	You cannot run the FLIP ROSE program on a stand-alone computer which is not connected to in-house LAN. FLIP ROSE can be run only on a computer through LAN connecting to a server into which a protection dongle is inserted.

Q4.　Is the FLIP ROSE program compatible with Windows® 7?

A.

Yes, we have confirmed that the FLIP ROSE program runs on Windows® 7. You can directly install it. The CD-ROM contains the 64 bit mode FLIP ROSE compiled by Intel® Fortran. You need to have the Core™ I processor of Sandy Bridge or later because the AVX command is necessary for running the program. FLIP ROSE is a 64 bit mode application, whereas FLIPGEN and FLIPSIM of the front-end are 32 bit mode applications and are installed to "C:\Program Files (x86)". Please note that the FLIPGEN and FLIPSIM programs are modified for IntelFortran and compatible to FLIP ROSE 64 bit mode application.

Q5. Our branch offices can be connected through VPN (virtual LAN). Can I run the FLIP ROSE program through VPN?

A.

We do not support the use of the FLIP ROSE program through VPN because performance of VPN depends on the network configuration. The way for identifying a computer into which a protection dongle for user authentication is inserted is wrapped by the version without specification of IP address. This computer would be searched within the possible reach of the broadcast packet. The port used for communication is TCP/UDP 6001/6002. The FLIP consortium is planning to deal with designation of the computer into which a protection dongle is inserted. The schedule of the plan is currently not fixed. Even in this plan, it is not possible for FLIP Consortium to warrant that FLIP ROSE will run through VPN.

Q6.　I have found that my computer is incompatible with AVX and want to use another computer compatible with AVX. How should I specify the designation of file numbers in the batch file?

A.

It is necessary to change the file numbers from "set**" to "set fort**" in "set 2=flip_fielist.d" because the compiler is changed from Watcom version to Intel version. If you have not used the file open function, changes related to the file open function should be also made. The file open function allows you to specify the file number as a list of file numbers and file names in #2 file. It is different from the old way of specifying the file number respectively in BAT file. Example of list file ##=============================== 5 = dyna.d 999 = OUTPUT\dyna. 11 = OUTPUT\stat1.12 14 = OUTPUT\ff.14 17 = OUTPUT\ff.17 13 = ..\wave\input.d 16 = OUTPUT\stat1.16 ##=============================== Specify #999 to the file name to be a default which does not specify explicitly. All other files which are not specified in this list (for example, #35 or #36) are specified as follows. 35 = OUTPUT\dyna.35 36 = OUTPUT\dyna.36 In detail, refer to "2.3 Note on program use" 2-5 (p.67) in the FLIP ROSE Manual.

Q7. I cannot run the examples of "i64flip723_3lm3.zip" although the Intel® Fortran XE 2013 Runtime is installed.

A.

The "so_i64flip723_3lm3.exe" file contained in "i64flip723_3lm3.zip" can be executed by Intel® Core™I series second generation or later processor as described in "readme.txt". The FLIP program might not be run if the processor of your computer is Intel® Core™I series first generation such as "Core™ i7 X980". In order to identify the problem, insert a pause after the line (%EXEFILE%) just after running of the FLIP program in BAT file of examples. You can identify the error information at the end of running because the command prompt screen is maintained without closing.

Q8. By increasing number of cores or memory, the analysis through the FLIP ROSE program be performed faster? Can the analysis be completed faster with the larger number of cores even though the number of clocks is small?

A.

The number of cores or memory does not much affect the time required for analysis through FLIP ROSE. The parallelization is not adopted as compile option because the analysis through FLIP ROSE is unfit for parallel computing. It might accelerate the processing speed by compiling with the compiler option compatible with the computer you use. At this time, we can say that you can perform several analyses through FLIP ROSE at the same time without slowing down the processing speed when you use the computer with the larger number of cores or memory. The larger the number of clocks, the faster you can perform one analysis. Please note that the number of analyses is limited by the number of cores when you perform several analyses through FLIP ROSE at the same time.

Q9. The computation time differs about ten times between two computers when I perform the same analysis on these two computers. The analysis finished earlier on the older processor. Are there any points should I pay attention to?

A.

You should keep in mind that the operating frequency is dynamically changed on a recent CPU according to the load applied to it in order to save electrical power. The more computation time might be required if the setting for the operating frequency is not properly configured and the operating frequency is not increased. The power of processor is managed by selecting a proper power plan or setting detailed plan in Power Option on Windows®. There is no recommended value for execution of the FLIP programs because the value of each parameter is set by an OEM company or is general setting by Windows®. Please confirm the power management of processor in Power Options on Control Panel on your computer.

Q10. An execution module such as "i64flip723_3" distributed on the web site for members is for Intel the second generation Corei processor (Sandy Bridge) or later version. How about Xeon?

A.

We are not sure as we have not done operation check on Xeon. There seems to be several generations in Xeon through architectural evolution as follows. http://ark.intel.com/#@ServerProducts Please refer to the following web site on 7 Sandy Bridge– and Ivy Bridge–based Xeonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeon

About the Specifications

Q11. Does FLIP ROSE allow the bidirectional excitation of vertical motion and horizontal motion? Are there any case history reports?

A.	FLIP ROSE allows the vertical and horizontal simultaneous excitation. The case history reports are recently increasing. We studied the effect of the vertical motion after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995, however it did not have much effect in case of the gravity bulkhead.

Q12.　Is there a limit in the number of elements of meshes?

A.

FLIP ROSE secures the area in the form of the Dynamic Array. Storage areas such as the node table and the element table are secured in the Dynamic Array depending on their size. When the Dynamic Array is overfilled, the message "Dynamic Array is full" is popped up. The dynamic analysis requires much area because it secures the mass matrix, the damping matrix and the derived matrix from them. Accordingly, there will be such a case that, with the same number of nodes, the gravity analysis can be performed, but the dynamic analysis cannot be sometimes performed because of excess of the limit. FLIP ROSE specifies sufficiently large data size in order to prevent the Dynamic Array from becoming full. (FLIP ROSE works with no problems with five thousands nodes and will probably work with ten thousands nodes.) When your analysis exceeds the limit, please take appropriate measures such as "reducing the number of nodes", "stopping specifying the degrees of freedom by MPC on nodes that are not near to one another" or "converting the added mass to the lumped mass by Westergaard equation and directly specifying it without setting fluid area", etc.

Q13. Can I specify more than one hundred materials (layer and structure segment)?

A.

The limit allowed in FLIPGEN and the limit for directly creating input data cards in FLIP ROSE are different. In FLIPGEN, the limit for the number of material data of multi spring element is 300. When you directly create input data cards in FLIP ROSE, there is no explicit limit. FLIP ROSE secures immense area in its program and allocate the area as necessary. The program will go down by error as soon as the area is used up. It hardly happens that FLIP ROSE cannot read the data of 300 multi spring elements created in FLIPGEN.

Q14. How should I determine the liquefaction parameters in element simulation?

A.

Ideally, the liquefaction parameters should be determined based on the results of undrained cyclic triaxial tests. The measured liquefaction resistance curves corresponding to the double amplitude axial strains of 1%, 2%, 5% and 10% in the undrained cyclic triaxial test are used as target to match the computed liquefaction resistance curves with the liquefaction parameters. Please note that these double amplitude axial strains are equivalent to single amplitude shear strain of 0.75%, 1.5%, 3.75% and 7.5% respectively. The element simulation is performed in terms of the single amplitude shear strains. You may often have to compromise on the consistency between the liquefaction test result and the simulation result somewhere. In those cases, engineering judgments are required such as excluding abnormal test values, focusing primarily on the part of large shear stress when input earthquake motion is strong, conforming the result with large number of cycles when earthquake motion consists of large number of cycles of motion with a moderate amplitude.

About the FLIP ROSE program for overseas members

Q15. Can I analyze propagation of excess pore water pressures from a liquefied layer into a layer above the ground water table through FLIP ROSE?

A.

Yes, you can. Please specify cocktail glass model elements not to liquefy above the ground water table. Please combine pore water elements (drained conditions) with the cocktail glass model elements. Then please specify the pore water pressure boundary accordingly. For example, set the water pressure 0 boundary at the ground surface. The pore water will seep under the homogenous conditions. The pore water flow through cracks cannot be analyzed.

Q16. Is there an example of analysis through cocktail glass model or the multi-spring element (without consolidation) following the sequence "shaking at main shock → consolidation → shaking at aftershock → consolidation"?
And how should I proceed?

A.

Yes, there is an example of simulation of a case history (reliquefaction by aftershock) at district Urayasu of Chiba in the Pacific coast of Tohoku earthquake. We suggest the following steps. (1) Perform an initial gravity analysis. (2) Perform the first earthquake response analysis ( at mainshok ). After the earthquake motion, continue the analysis until the response stops (for 10 to 30 seconds?). Write a data to a restart file of structural data (#16) in FEAP macro command. (3) Create a restart file (#11 or #12) as usual at the end of the first earthquake response analysis. (4) Proceed to the next FEAP command, read the restart file of structural data and specify information which is not recorded in the restart file (for example, the contents of DBSW). (5) Follow the same macro commands and so forth as in the first earthquake response analysis except for such a difference that you have to read the restart file (#11 or #12) with INITSW=1 and enlarge Rayleigh damping coefficient β(to about 10 to 500 times of the original) and also enlarge Δｔ (to about 10 to 100 times of the original). (6) Continue dynamic analysis until the next earthquake starts, and create a restart file (#11 or #12) at the end as usual. (7) Again, execute FEAP command and read the restart file of structural data and specify the data which are not recorded in the restart file. (8) Follow the same macro command and so forth as in the first earthquake response analysis and perform an analysis in the same way except for one difference: in this step of analysis, read the restart file with INITSW=1. Restore βand Δt to their initial values. (9) Repeat the above procedures. Prepare the input earthquake motion which includes two earthquakes. And, perform the free-field analysis as same as the main analysis at least. (Please note that the initial gravity analysis is required only one time.) You do not have to perform the free-field analysis after the second earthquake ends.

Q17. I learned that FLIP ROSE (ver.7.2.3) can analyze coupled equations of the equilibrium and the mass balance of pore water. In embankment analysis, can I perform the analysis of steady state pore water flow (saturated-unsaturated) after the embankment is constructed, determine stresses in the embankment after water is filled from the computed pore water pressures and set these stresses as the initial conditions for the earthquake response analysis?

A.

Steady state pore water flow analysis can be performed in FLIP ROSE. Set the ground water table and specify the boundary conditions of pore water pressure in advance. FLIP ROSE does not have the function that changes the ground water table automatically. By performing steady state pore water flow analysis, buoyancy caused by pore water pressure acts on soil elements. Yes, the stresses in the embankment under the action of buoyancy can be set as the initial conditions for the next analysis process.

Q18. Can I perform dynamic analysis in FLIP ROSE by reading the initial stresses result analyzed by other solver (other computer program)?

A.

No. Because other computer program does not take over the history of stresses and strains whereas FLIP ROSE does. Each spring of multi-spring has each history even in the initial gravity analysis, dynamic analysis takes over them as initial conditions. FLIP ROSE basically takes over the displacement (and the element history) to perform multistep analysis.

Q19. How much computation time do I need to perform three dimensional analysis? (Does it reach the level of practical use?)

A.

It is difficult to answer in general terms. Under the condition that you use 64 bits high performance machine and compilers as well, with sufficiently large memory storage (for example 16 GB or more) on main memory and perform a liquefaction analysis model of several tens of thousands of nodes, it may take one week at minimum, or in some cases a few weeks.

Q20.　Does FLIP ROSE have bandwidth reduction function?

A.

FLIP ROSE has its whole matrix in skyline format. As to whether FLIP ROSE has the function of lowering height of the skyline, it does not have such a general function. FLIP ROSE allows to give the smallest number of degrees of freedom to the translational degrees of freedom of fluid-structure interface (these degrees of freedom are all coupled) and bring the numbers of degrees of freedom closer which given to the degree of structural freedom and the degree of pore water pressure freedom in coupled pore water flow analysis. FLIPGEN arranges the nodes data from left to right, and then top to bottom because it is typical to have a cross section of a soil-structure system with a width larger than height. Accordingly the numbers of degrees of freedom are assigned and the height of skyline will lower. We think that this method will be sufficient although there are Cuthill McKee or other methods.

Q21. What is different from SHAKE?

A.

The differences are as follows; Comparison with FLUSH (SHAKE) I Combination of soil condition and load soil condition load phenomenon SHAKE FLUSH FLIP stiffness reduction induced by strain earthquake force ○ ○ ○ gravity active failure, etc. × × ○ stiffness reduction by liquefaction earthquake force × × ○ gravity residual deformation, etc. × × ○ Comparison with FLUSH (SHAKE) II Evaluable items SHAKE FLUSH  FLIP analysis method  one dimension two dimension  three dimension total stress method total stress method  effective stress method condition  study items equivalent linear equivalent linear  nonlinear when soil is susceptible to liquefaction liquefaction determination ○ ○  ○ residual deformation × ×  ○ maximum displacement × ×  ○ member sectional force (residual deformation value) × ×  ○ member sectional force (time maximum value ) × ×  ○ when soil is susceptible to liquefaction (remediation measures taken not to liquefy) residual deformation × ×  ○ maximum displacement (by earthquake force) ○ ○ ○ member sectional force (residual deformation value) × × ○ member sectional force (time maximum value ) × ○ ○ remarks can be applied to   horizontally layered ground

Q22. How can I draw figures of the results by FLIP ROSE?

A.

Figures of the results by FLIP ROSE are easily drawn by Notepad, Excel, and/or MicroAVS. Conversion program “flip2Dtomavs” of spatial output data of FLIP2D to the format of MicroAVS* (for animation and visualization) is included in CD as one of the support programs. For the customers with the membership of FLIP consortium, the special discount rate of MicroAVS*is applicable for sale by CERBERNET corporation. For order by the customers with the membership of FLIP consortium, please contact FLIP customer service "e_info@flip.or.jp". *MicroAVS is a trade mark registered by CYBERNET CO., LTD.

Q23. Is it possible to simulate the effects of axial force on M-φ relationship in Takeda model?

A.	No. The effects of axial force on M-φ relationship are not considered in Takeda model on this program.

About the FLIP ROSE program for overseas members

Ｑ24．I understand that the maximum number of nodes is twenty thousands in FLIPGEN. Is there β version which extends the number of nodes?

A.	No. The maximum number of nodes is twenty thousands in FLIPGEN. In regard to this point, FLIPGEN had a bug that the flp file could not be opened when the number of nodes is defined near to twenty thousands and saved to the flp file. The bug is removed in FLIPGEN (Ver.3.0.10)

Q25.　Do any differences occur in the result when the elements and the nodes are renumbered in FLIPGEN?

A.	No difference occurs because the element number and the node number are the names of different elements and nodes. However, when the alignment order of nodes data is changed, some differences in calculation time may occur and a calculation error may also occur.

Q26. When I set multiple grounds to depth direction in FLIPGEN, can I do it by repeating "add element "→"plane element" more than once and creating multilayered ground? Also, please provide a way to set piles (ground improvement body) which go through multiple grounds after setting ground.　

A.

Yes, you can do it in that way. There is another way in which you create all elements at once and attach them to a certain structure unit, and then later change the unit according to the elements. In the former way (repeating "add element"→"plane element" more than once and creating multilayered ground), it is necessary to put the nodes of the new element on the same place of the nodes already made and integrate these double nodes. The latter way (creating all elements at once and attaching them to a certain structure unit, and then later changing the unit according to the elements) can be performed more easily. Elements can be selected after tracing "node element display"→"selectable range" on menu screen in selecting the elements. There are various modeling of piles and ground improvement bodies. (1) Adapt the physical property value between piles to the whole area and do not model the sand pile itself. (2) Combine an element which has the sand pile physical property and an element which has the ground physical property between piles by sharing the nodes. Adjust the depth direction width of the element according to the improvement rate. (3) Model the improvement part in stripes. In (3), for example, in order to model in case that the improvements parts connect continuously to the depth direction, we suggest to create all elements at once by the above way and change the unit to which the elements corresponding to improvement parts are attached to "improvement body". The modeling ways of different types of improvement grounds and structures are shown in "Case Study" and "Theory Study" on "Reports on study of FLIP research committee for fourteen years".

Q27. Could you explain the procedure to determine the parameters through FLIPSIM? I understand that a certain explanation is given in "Simplified method including other parameters not only liquefaction parameter" in the last item on P2-1-4 in "Case Study" of practice of dynamic analysis by liquefaction analysis program FLIP by FLIP research committee.

A.

First, decide the value of each constant other than liquefaction parameter. Next, set the liquefaction characteristics to be a target. Perform the element simulation using FLIPSIM, etc. and determine by trial and error the liquefaction parameter which reproduces the liquefaction characteristics. Refer to the way described on P2-2-1～2-2-2 in "Case Study" of practice of dynamic analysis. The target liquefaction characteristics can be specified, when a liquefaction test is performed through a triaxial test, based on the number of shear stress cycles to achieve the double amplitude axial strains of 1%, 2%, 5% and 10%. Set the liquefaction parameter by trial and error so as to reproduce them. The initial effective confining pressure σm0' for reproducing the target liquefaction should be same as in the test condition. When such a liquefaction test is not performed, determine the target liquefaction characteristics by the way mentioned in design standards such as "Recommendation for Design of Building Foundations". For example, ①～⑤ on P85～P86 in "Second editions; Liquefaction of Sand Ground" by Yoshiaki Yoshimi can be a good reference. (Please note that the denominator of the effective confining pressure is σv') Also, check the value of σm0' that is estimated in each standard.

Q28. In the case of the model with the following conditions (1) through (15), is the upper limit in total number of materials of 400 in FLIPGEN considered as (16)?

(1) Number of materials in multi-spring element: 100 (3) Number of materials in pore water element: 100 (11) Number of materials in joint element: 100 (14) Number of materials in lateral boundary element: 50 (15) Number of materials in bottom boundary element: 1 (16) Total number of materials: 100+100+100+50+1=351<400

A.

Number of materials in pore water element, joint element, lateral boundary element and bottom boundary element (the elements which FLIPGEN automatically generates) are not included in the total number of materials. Therefore, in this case, (16) total number of materials becomes 100 <400. (as of August, 2014)

Q29. I use FLIPSIM and other supporting programs. Do they run on Windows®7?

A.

They can be installed and run normally in Windows®7. Under the OS in 64bit version, FLIPSIM and other supporting programs run in 32bit mode. These programs are installed in a folder for the 32 bit programs named “Program Files (x86)". Please note that you need to change a path name of the execution file from “Program Files” to “Program Files (x86)" when specifying the execution files such as FLIPSIM, because these supporting programs are copied at the same folder at installation.

About the install

Q30. I double-click the "so_i64flip723_3lm3.exe" file downloaded from CD-ROM to execute it, but the FLIP ROSE program does not start running. What should I do to solve the problem?

A.

The FLIP ROSE program cannot be run by directly double-clicking "so_i64flip723_3lm3.exe". The FLIP ROSE program runs through a batch file. You can confirm this fact by executing the batch file in "examples" folder contained in CD-ROM. Specifically, in order to execute "so_i64flip723_3lm3.exe", open "i64flip723_3lm3">"examples"> "Example2_PortIsland-1D_Analysis">"Case1" folder and double-click the batch file "FF.BAT". You can confirm normal operation of the program if "0" is output in the text file "flip.1" created after execution in OUTPUT folder.

Q31. Can the FLIP ROSE program be started from an icon automatically created such as FLIPSIM or FLIPGEN?

A.	The FLIP ROSE program is an application aimed at numerical analysis but not a GUI application such as "FLIPSIM" or "FLIPGEN", therefore cannot be started from the icon. (You can call the FLIP ROSE program from FLIPGEN other than executing the batch file.)

Q32. I understand that the FLIP ROSE program can be run by the maximum of ten computers connected to in-house LAN at the same time. Can I install the FLIP ROSE program on more than eleven computers?

A.	Yes, you can install the FLIP ROSE program on more than eleven computers. We do not set the limit on the number of computers on which the program is installed.

Q33. I cannot perform operation test of FLIP ROSE successfully. How should I solve the problem?

A.

Please check the following ・Verify that Sentinel Protection Installer is properly installed on your computer. If it is not properly installed, an error message such as "Hardware error" indicating inability to detect a dongle will be displayed. ・Copy the "examples" folder to your hard drive and execute the operation test. Do not execute the operation test directly from CD-ROM. Decompress the "i64flip723_3lm3.zip" file, and you will find the "examples" folder. Copy the whole "examples" folder to your hard drive and execute the test. When you copy the whole "examples" folder, please copy it directly to C drive or a directory created below C drive. (For example, C:\temp\examples) ・In case that "program abnormally terminated" is displayed Copy again the files from CD-ROM and execute the test. As for operation test of FLIPGEN and FLIPSIM, copy the "kyozai-E" folder to a directory in the shallow hierarchy such as "C:\temp" and execute the test.

Q34. An error message "Access denied" is displayed when I double-click "FLIP_GROUP.bat" for operation test.

A.	Please copy the whole data contained in CD-ROM to a writable folder such as "C:\temp" not to "Program Files".

Q35. One Client cannot recognize the Server although it connects to the network. The other Clients can recognize the Server without any problems. What should I check for?

A.

It is required that the port TCP/UDP 6001/6002 (including the router) is open between the Server and Clients. Please confirm that this requirement is satisfied between the Server and the said Client. The communication using this port may be blocked out by an antivirus software such as Norton installed in the Client. In that case, the problem might be solved by modifying the setup of the antivirus software installed in the Client.

Q36. When I try FLIP2D 64 bit version of Intel, the following message came out. “Fatal Error: This program was not built to run in your system.” How should I solve this error?

A.	Please note that there are three possible causes as follows. ・Intel’s runtime has not been installed properly. ・OS is not Windows7 (64bit version.) ・CPU does not support AVX command (the second generation of Intel CoreI series or later.)

Q37. I have installed Sentinel Protection Server on PC (A) on LAN, and FLIP on PC (B) connected by LAN. When I set the FLIP program to run, the display says “E003- hardware key is not found.” How should I solve this error?

A.

Since the program is for LAN, you can start FLIP program on PC (B). However, in the case of LAN connecting on different floors or other distant department in the same organization, the FLIP program may not work normally. As the first step, please try to use the PC next to you or/and nearby. This should lead you to divide the causes to solve smoothly. The error message “E003-hardware key is not found” comes out when the PC you execute on fails to find the PC with a protection dongle inserted. Please confirm that “setup type” has been completed upon installing Sentinel Protection Installer on the server PC (which you inserted a USB key in.) It may not operate normally unless one of the functions is installed in case of specifying Custom. Please check your security software on the PC you execute on. The security software might send a warning message, or prohibit LAN connection when the FLIP program tries to access the network. Please refer to the instructions of the security software installed. (August, 2014)

Other Questions

Q38. I want to visualize the state which the piles undergo deformation by reading INP file in MicroAVS, how should I set it?

A.	You can do it without any problems in the way mentioned in flip2Dtomavs manual on homepage for members. Please be sure to read displacement file (#32: dyna.32 or flip.32).

Q39. Can I get a manual for FLIP ROSE program? Does FLIP ROSE have the drawing function?

A.	We do not offer a paper manual. The manual in PDF format is contained in a CD-R which we send you on your purchase. FLIP ROSE itself does not have the drawing function. (Please refer to Q14.)

Q40. Is the academic discount for Overseas Members available?

A.	No, it is not.

Q41. I understand that questions to the answer service should be sent from the e-mail address registered at the time of application. Can we send a question from another person (from another e-mail address) in the same company?

A.	No, you cannot. Please send questions to the answer service only from the person who is registered as the person for Q&A service. If you wish to send questions to the answer service from another person even in the same company, please take a necessary procedure to change the person for Q&A service.

Q42. Are detail information materials about software are available before deciding on the purchase?

A.	We do not offer paper materials. Please see the this page(click here). You can also use FLIP ROSE trial version before buying the program. As for trial version, please see this page (click here).

Q43. Can I obtain a quotation for the special discount rate of MicroAVS on the premise of becoming a FLIP Overseas Member?

A.	Please contact FLIP customer service "e_info@flip.or.jp".

Q44. Can I rent the FLIP program instead of becoming a FLIP Overseas Member?

A.	No. The FLIP program is available only by becoming a FLIP Overseas Member.

Q45. I am planning to buy a computer program from a software company specializing in pre- and post- processor for analysis through FLIP program. Is there anything I should pay attention to in connection with FLIP program?

A.

FLIP Consortium offers the version upgrade (specification change) of FLIP program (including other related programs) as needed and enhances its performance just like Windows® offers its version upgrade. Those programs which you are planning to buy or you already have and are developed by a company other than FLIP consortium (for example, a pre- and post- processor developed and sold by other company) might not follow the version updates of FLIP program. This fact should be the most important issue you should pay attention to when you use or are going to use other company's existing software in connection with FLIP program. FLIP Consortium is not involved in developing those pre- and post- processors offered by other companies. When any problems occur in running the FLIP program in conjunction with other company's pre- and post- processor, please determine by yourself which causes the problem, the pre- and post- processor or the FLIP program. Then, please contact FLIP Consortium answer service only when the problem is caused by the FLIP program.

Q46. At the operation test, I got an error message that says " E0003--Hardware key not found."

A.

Please check the following. 1. Please check a protection dongle is inserted properly. 2. Please confirm if you have installed a driver on the PC with a protection dongle inserted. 3. Please try to execute a program such as so_flipsim on the PC with a protection dongle inserted. 4. Please confirm that the device named “USB Ultrapro” installed in “Device and Printer” is normally run on PC with a protection dongle inserted. If you can execute the program on the PC inserted a protection dongle, but not on other PC, or if you wish to perform operation check, please contact FLIP customer service at e_info@flip.or.jp to ask for an operation check kit.