Members

With the Beam Wizard you create your input quickly. See Wizard. Naturally you can change the members and nodes you have added afterwards.

Changing a member

You change a member by clicking on the member with the left mouse button and then choosing properties with the right mouse button. Or, even easier, by double-clicking on the member. The dialog box below is opened.

Member data

Member number

The member number is generated automatically.

From node no.

The number of the start node.

To node no.

The number of the end node.

Member angle

The angle in degrees with the global x-axis. Counter-clockwise is positive.

Member type

The member type specifies whether the member is hinged or moment-fixed at the node concerned.

indication	description
	both sides 'rigidly' fixed (default)
	start 'rigidly' fixed; end hinged
	start hinged; end 'rigidly' fixed
	both sides hinged
	both sides 'rigidly' fixed, TENSION ONLY
	start 'rigidly' fixed; end hinged, TENSION ONLY
	start hinged; end 'rigidly' fixed, TENSION ONLY
	both sides hinged, TENSION ONLY
	both sides 'rigidly' fixed, COMPRESSION ONLY
	start 'rigidly' fixed; end hinged, COMPRESSION ONLY
	start hinged; end 'rigidly' fixed, COMPRESSION ONLY
	both sides hinged, COMPRESSION ONLY
	both sides 'elastically' fixed
	start 'elastically' fixed; end hinged
	start hinged; end 'elastically' fixed
	both sides hinged

Specifically and only for the spring member connections the spring data has to be entered. See Spring Connections.

Split into sub-members for analysis

Setting whether, for the determination of the force distribution (frame analysis), the member has to be split into sub-members when nodes are found on the member. This setting is switched on by default.

Profile

Profile name begin/end

Here you choose the profile.

Angle

The angle of the profile. That is the angle relative to the local coordinate system. Normally this is 0 degrees. If you want to enter a column rotated, for example (so loaded about its weak axis), you enter 90 degrees here.

You can create new profiles, and copy and delete profiles. Choose Properties when you want to change the profile data and/or select another standard profile from the profile database.

See Profiles.

Tapered profile

You can optionally enter a tapered profile. The tab "Profile name end" is then activated. Here you enter the 2nd profile at the end of the member. Please note: the basic shape of the profile (H-, U-, L-shape, etc.) must match that of the profile at the start of the member.

Elastically supported

This gives you the possibility to support a member elastically. The bedding is schematised as a series of springs that can only take up positive reactions, so "lifting off" is provided for as well. The spring distance can be influenced with Smoothing. The modulus of subgrade reaction is converted automatically into springs with the correct spring value.

Modulus of subgrade reaction

The modulus of subgrade reaction K in kN/m3. The default value is 10,000 kN/m3.

Global values of the modulus of subgrade reaction K for various types of subsoil:

Width

The width of the support. By default the width of the profile is taken, but a different width can be entered. The width is important for determining the spring value of the springs.

Smoothing

By default the centre-to-centre distance of the springs equals 1x the profile height. It is possible to vary this from 0.5x to 5x the profile height. The centre-to-centre distance is important for determining the spring value of the springs.

Input per member

This gives you the possibility to change the input for every new member.

Members table

Members can also be added and/or changed in the table Members at the bottom left. It does not matter. You can also switch between graphical and table input in the meantime.