SPRING INSTEAD OF LINK-ELEMENT
SPRING INSTEAD OF LINK-ELEMENT
(OP)
Dear Sirs,
so far we us linear link elements to simulate a spring.
The problem of the link element is that is also transfers shear forces / moments. E.g. I define a linear spring link element with stiffnesses in all three (x,y,z,) directions.
If I conncect two joints (with different z values)with the described link-element there are moments at one joint due to the vertical distance of the joints. But I just want to transfer forces (at each direction one force Fx, Fy, Fz)
Is there any other possibility to simulate a spring in SAP2000 ?
FYI: we are using SAP2000 Version 10.1.3
Thanks in advance
Daniel





RE: SPRING INSTEAD OF LINK-ELEMENT
Report it to support@csiberkeley.com
RE: SPRING INSTEAD OF LINK-ELEMENT
regards,
Dan
RE: SPRING INSTEAD OF LINK-ELEMENT
For now, I still think this is a bug, because if I define a link with stiffness only in X, Y, Z directions, I would expect the 2 point link to behave like a pin connection - no moment transfered on either end, but SAP's link element insists on transferring moment on one end, even with zero stiffness in rotational directions.
My only suggestion to you is to define a general frame element with equivalent stiffness as your link and model the frame as pinned.