| Applies To | |||
| Product(s): | RAM Elements | ||
| Version(s): | Any | ||
| Environment: | All | ||
| Area: | Analysis | ||
When a member with a rigid offset includes an end release where is the hinge exactly?
When a member is offset from its reference node, a rigid link is created between the original node which is unmodofied and the new member end position. The link is essentially a very stiff member with both ends fixed. If the member in Ram Elements is then hinged, the hinge occurs at the new end location of the member, before the rigid link.
Note, other Bentley Structural Analysis and Design products like STAAD.pro and RAM Structural System are similar in this regard.
Why are my members disconnected?
If you significantly offset physical members and then create new nodes along the length of the offset member, these points will not be recognized as being "along" the physical member and it will not be meshed to those points.
It is better to model the nodes in a single plane and then apply offsets, or cardinal point offsets, from this reference plane. Then things will mesh as expected.
See Also
RAM Frame - Rigid End Zone assumptions
