Hi,
I'm currently trying out the SAP 2000 to simulate a simplified model for the phd thesis and would like to find out more details about the Assign frame releases portion.

Under ‘Assign frame releases’, if I only check the ‘Release End ‘ boxes for moment 22 and moment 33, and assign a value of 0.5 for the ‘End’ portion of ‘Frame partial fixity springs’:

1) Does the program assumes that the particular frame member is uniform and that the '0.5 release' is set at the center of the member?
2) What does the default ‘0’ value means?

Cheers

Hi,

1) A non-zero value next to a checked release means that a partial (semi-rigid) connection for the related degree of freedom will be applied. This value should represent the stiffness of the spring for this dof. In your example, it should be the stiffness of the rotational spring about the local 2 or 3 axes, so a value of 0.5 seems apparently too small.
2) Default value zero means that a full release is applied, i.e. rotation is free, thus moments will be zero at this end.

Software for structural engineers
Cross Section analysis and design
Static Analysis of frames
http://www.engissol.com

Hi,

Pardon my ignorance in SAP2000, still got a few more quick questions with respect to your reply on No. 1:

1a. Is it possible to assign the spring positioning at, say middle of the column?

1b. When you mention 0.5 is too small, what is the unit for that input? Could you give me an eg. as to the normal value that we should put in that input box?

Cheers