Hi there,
I am trying to model a steel portal frame. It is 3 bays high and 2 bays wide.
On-site the beams are going to have a moment end plate connection to the columns and the columns will be a continuous member from top to bottom.
When I go to check capacities of members I get very different results depending on if I linked or not linked the entire structure. I believe I should link the columns, but not the beams?
Is someone able to provide an explanation as to what linking does and when to use, or not use it?
I have read that you link members if the member is continuous beyond a node and does not have a twist restraint. But if we go into the element to enter in restraints, we can add lateral restraint, but not a twist restraint. Say we use fly bracing at knees so we can get lateral and twist restraint, we should use a non linked model?
Any guidance or discussion on this, would be hugely appreciated.
Thank you