Dear all,
i have some doubts regarding allocation of compression springs in the Staad model. My model essentially consists of an invert floor with vertical sidewalls and i need to provide compression springs both at invert-soil and sidewall-soil interface. All the surfaces have been modelled and meshed as plates.
1. In order to define the compression spring i have chosen a reference joint opposite to the plate where the spring is to be attached.Is this the correct way of doing it?
2.I have a number of nodes along each sidewall of the structure. Do i have to define reference points for each horizontal line of nodes and refer them with a node at opposite end? Is it not possible to select all the nodes lying on a sidewall at once and simultaneously refer them to some node at opposite wall. i tried using both the approaches and got different results
3.Also , in the invert, i have chosen the 'Ref' option in the inclined reference point menu? Is it the right way of defining reference points of invert slab or is there any other way
Thanks and Regards
Also the direction of local axis i get from shift+T command are different from the reference directions specified through reference joints?
Reference joints are only for situations where you need to use inclined supports. From what you have described, it seems like you have vertical side walls and a horizontal base slab. For that you do not need to define inclined support. Simply add the compression only attribute to the already defined springs.