Semi-Rigid Connections

In some structures there may be partial continuity between the ends of a member and the adjacent nodes. You may model this situation with semi-rigid connections. Any member for which semi-rigid connections are specified is considered to have axial and rotational springs inserted between the end of the member and the adjacent node or rigid offset. The spring stiffnesses are specified with respect to member axes and may be entered independently at each end. Sometimes, friction joints can be modelled approximately by using appropriate spring constants (possibly determined from tests).

The diagram below shows the locations of the spring elements for a member that has rigid offsets.

SEMI-RIGID CONNECTION SPRING LOCATIONS

Axial springs in semi-rigid connections were introduced in Microstran V8.