Support properties

Use the Support properties to view or modify the properties of a support.

When a support is first created, it's properties are taken as those displayed in the Properties window at that time.

You can either set the properties prior to placing the support, or select a support in the model afterwards to review or modify its properties.


Property	Description
General
Name	Automatically created name based on the grid point location. Note: This property is only displayed when editing an existing support
User Name	You can enter a user name to replace the automatically created name if required. Note: This property is only displayed when editing an existing support
Plane	Describes the level at which the support was placed. Note: This property is only displayed when editing an existing support
3 Grid Points	The options are: Checked A user defined coordinate system is applied to the support. (After clicking where you want to create the support, the second click defines the x direction and the third click defines the y direction.) Unchecked (Default) Support properties are defined in accordance with the global coordinate system. Note: This property is only displayed when creating a new support
Fx, Fy, Fz	The translational degrees of freedom can be set as either Free, or Fixed in each direction.
Mx, My, Mz	The rotational degrees of freedom can be set as either Free, or Fixed in each direction.
Angles
Inclination, Azimuth and Rotation	When creating new supports, the angles are calculated automatically depending on the placement method (3 Grid Points Checked/Unchecked). When editing existing supports, the angles can be edited in order to redefine the direction in which the support acts. Inclination - inclination about Global X Azimuth - rotation of inclined support about Global Z Rotation - rotation about the support local z axis For more information, see: Rotated and inclined supports
Translational stiffness x, y, and z
Type	In order to define a translational spring in a particular direction, the translational degree of freedom in the same direction must first be set to Free. The available types are: Release - (i.e. zero translational stiffness) Spring Linear Spring Non-linear
Stiffness	The options are: Spring Linear A single stiffness value is entered, which acts in both the positive and negative directions. Spring Non-linear Two stiffness values are entered, one to act in the positive direction and a second to act in the negative direction.
Fmax -ve and Fmax +ve	For non-linear springs you are also able to define the spring capacity in each direction. (Note that this must always be entered as a positive value, for both +ve and -ve directions).
Rotational stiffness x, y, z
Type	In order to define a rotational spring in a particular direction, the rotational degree of freedom in the same direction must first be set to Free. The available options are: Release - (i.e. zero rotational stiffness) Spring Linear Spring Non-linear Nominally Pinned Nominally Free
Stiffness	The options are: Spring Linear A single stiffness value is entered, which acts in both the positive and negative directions. Spring Non-linear Two stiffness values are entered, one to act in the positive direction and a second to act in the negative direction.
Stiffness Percentage	The options are: Nominally Pinned - 10% (i.e. 10% * 4 EI/L) Nominally Fixed - 100% (i.e. 100% * 4 EI/L) Note: In the above equations, L is the length from the base of the column to the level of the next column stack that is denoted as a floor, or it is the distance to the top of the column if shorter.
Fmax -ve and Fmax +ve	For non-linear springs you are also able to define the spring capacity in each direction. (Note that this must always be entered as a positive value, for both +ve and -ve directions).