Tension Only Member for Bracing

Cmtellier - I created an FAQ to assist you with this process. It should be posted within the day in the FAQ section of this forum.

Thanks for the detailed reply, it is significanly more then what CSI sent me. All they said was set the compression limit to 0.

I have done all of the steps you listed but when i go to view the LINK FORCES it is not an option. What do you think is wrong?

Ok, i realized i wasn't assigning these links. After i have done that, and have re-analyzed it and displayed the link forces, with a simple frame, i am not seeing any forces. With a complex building, i run out of null steps, even with a limit of 1000 steps. I am still missing something?

Also, i guess ETABS does not design these members, correct?

1. Make sure you entered in the effective stiffness of the NLINK in both the linear AND nonlinear property data.

2. Nope - but if you can't design a tension member based on an axial force you are SOL =).