Beam Properties: Connection

Description

Used for the definition of connection element properties.

The reference coordinate system (UCS) for connection elements can be set via Beam Attributes: Connection UCS. A different UCS may be assigned to each end of the element.

If the UCS attribute is not assigned, and the element length is non-zero, the reference UCS is the default local coordinate system for beams.

If the UCS attribute is not assigned, and the element length is zero, the reference UCS is the global XYZ system.

Note that connection elements do not consider geometric nonlinearity. They simply define up to six independent stiffnesses, translational and rotational, between two points.

Common Toolbar

See Properties: Common Controls.

Material Tab

The axes of the connection element are referred to as the 1-2-3 directions on the Property dialog. These axes reference the UCS applied to an individual connection element. For example, for a connection element that has the global XYZ coordinate system assigned to it, the directions 1-2-3 are the global X-Y-Z directions, respectively. Similarly, for a non-zero length connection element that has no UCS attribute assigned to it, the 1-2-3 directions refer to the principal axis system assigned to beam elements by default. That is, the 1 and 2 directions are in the lateral (shear) directions, and the 3 direction is an axial direction. In each case, the rotational degrees of freedom are rotations about the respective axes.

Translation Stiffness (1 / 2 / 3)

Translation stiffness in the direction of each axis.

Units are Force/Length (e.g., N/mm, lbf/in).

Rotation Stiffness (1 / 2 / 3)

Rotational stiffness about each axis.

Units are Force×Length/Angle (e.g., N·mm/rad, lbf·in/rad).

Common

Nonlinear Tab

Translation Stiffness Tables (1 / 2 / 3)

Force vs Displacement tables that define the nonlinear translational stiffness in the direction of each axis.

If set, and the analysis considers material nonlinearity, the linear translational stiffness in the direction of the corresponding axis is ignored. For linear material analysis, the tables are ignored.

Rotation Stiffness Tables (1 / 2 / 3)

Moment vs Rotation tables that define the nonlinear rotational stiffness about each axis.

If set, and the analysis considers material nonlinearity, the linear rotational stiffness about the corresponding axis is ignored. For linear material analysis, the tables are ignored.

Common

Tables Tab