Create supports
Supports allow you to constrain points in your structure vertically and rotationally. You can use supports to model connections to existing structures, so that you do not need to incorporate them in your current model. In addition, you can change the fixity provided at an existing support by modifying the support properties.
Create a single support
You can only place supports at existing grid points.
Create a rotated support using 3 grid points
You can create a rotated support as follows:
Create spring supports
You can create linear and non linear spring supports in a similar fashion.
- On the Model tab, click Support.
- Go to the Properties window.
- Ensure that in the direction where you want the spring to act, the degree of freedom is set to Free.
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In the appropriate stiffness properties, do one of the following:
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Select the Spring Linear option, and define a single stiffness value that acts in both the positive and negative directions.
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Select the Spring Non-linear option, and define two stiffness values, one to act in the positive direction and another to act in the negative direction.
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- Click the grid point where you want to create the support.
Create nominally pinned or nominally fixed supports
- On the Model tab, click Support.
- Go to the Properties window.
- Ensure that the Mx and/ or My directions about which you require partial fixity are set to Free.
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In the appropriate rotational stiffness properties, do one of the
following:
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Select the Nominally pinned option, and define the required stiffness value as a percentage of the column stiffness 4EI/L.
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Select the Nominally fixed option, and leave the stiffness value as 100% of the column stiffness 4EI/L.
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- Click the grid point where you want to create the support.
Modify support properties
You can modify support properties in both 2D and 3D views.