GTSTRUDL Nonlinear Spring element

GT STRUDL Nonlinear Spring Element
V 3 2.5.3 - 1 Rev Q
2.5.3 Nonlinear Spring Element
The nonlinear spring element provides for the modeling of nonlinear elastic,
concentrated, translation and rotation stiffnesses between any two joints in the structure and
nonlinear supports.
The following commands are used to model nonlinear spring elements between two
joints in the structure:
1. ELEMENT INCIDENCES - specify the two joints that the nonlinear spring
goes between,
2. ELEMENT PROPERTIES - specify the element type as NLS for the nonlinear
spring element,
3. NONLINEAR SPRING PROPERTY - define the force-displacement and/or
moment-rotation relationship for the nonlinear springs,
4. NONLINEAR SPRING ELEMENT DATA - specify the element orientation
and nonlinear spring element stiffness properties.
For the special case when nonlinear spring elements are used to model nonlinear
supports, the following commands must be specified:
1. NONLINEAR SPRING ELEMENT PROPERTY - define the force-displacement
and/or moment-rotation relationship for the nonlinear support,
2. NONLINEAR SPRING ELEMENT DATA - specify the joint in the structure
attached to the nonlinear spring support, the orientation of the nonlinear spring,
and the spring element stiffness properties.