Tek-Tips is the largest IT community on the Internet today!

Members share and learn making Tek-Tips Forums the best source of peer-reviewed technical information on the Internet!

  • Congratulations cowski on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

Compression only Springs

Status
Not open for further replies.

FM1

Structural
Joined
Dec 16, 2001
Messages
67
Location
US
I am trying to translate a long hand matrix analysis for a small portal frame , 2 columns , one beam across, into an excel/VBA. how could I model/include compression only spring for one of the column bases. that is if there is an upward load the spring wont be effective.
 
Can you use the =IF function in Excel? If this causes a self-referencing error, then you need 2 versions of the model -- one with the spring and one without. Then use the =IF at the end to select the correct answer based on the status of the force at that location.

 
If you want compression only springs you need to use an iterative process. And solve many consecutive matrixes.

You could set the springs as new members with a non-linear material with a normal young modulus in compression and a very small one for tension to avoid convergence problems.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor

Back
Top