Compression only springs in Ideas

[kins]

I want to use the Nonlinear springs to simulate as a compression only spring in Ideas.
i.e. there should be no displacement during tension (in the same way as we can use in Abaqus)

Topic on Nonlinear springs in the help menu of Ideas says : " the software assumes the spring characteristics in both tension and compression when we enter only zero and positive displacements in the *.dds file "

Is it that the Non-Linear springs can not be used as compression only springs or is there any method?

I tried using diffrent stiffness values in the tension regions and compared the results(Spring Element force , Stress & Displacement of the model)with abaqus results. There was appreciable variation in the results.

Is it that the Non-Linear springs can not be used as compression only springs or is there any method(using GAP Element along with Springs)?
If so how to use GAP Elements?

 

[vonlueke]

Yes. Good idea. Create a spring element between the two nodes. Now create two rigid bars whose ends overlap somewhere between the two nodes. Connect the two overlapping rigid bar ends with a gap element. Set gap element gap value to zero if not already zero by default. You're done.

You now have the two nodes connected by a spring plus an inextensible rope. Therefore you now have a compression-only spring, which can shorten under compression but cannot elongate under tension. Good luck.